Coachella 2020 Rescheduled to October Amid COVID-19 Fears

The Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival—one of the world’s most iconic music events—has been postponed to October 2020 in response to growing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

Coachella was to be held on the weekends of April 10th and 17th at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. Now it’ll take place on October 9, 10 and 11 and October 16, 17 and 18. Honoring the purchases for April dates, organizers have released a statement on how to obtain a refund for rescheduled October dates if purchasers aren’t able to attend.

Like many other institutions, festival organizers felt forced to delay their plans to protect attendees from potential exposure. Here’s what you need to know about the new schedule, refund options, and what this disruption means for music lovers.

New Dates & Lineup

Originally scheduled for the weekends of April 10 & 17 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Coachella will now take place across two sets of dates:

  • October 9–11

  • October 16–18

The event was to feature major names like Travis Scott, Calvin Harris, Lana Del Rey, Frank Ocean, and a Rage Against the Machine reunion. Organizers have promised that tickets for April will be honored, and a refund option is available for those who cannot attend October’s dates.

COVID-19’s Impact on Live Music & Travel

The pandemic has disrupted the travel and tourism sector drastically. Concerts, tours, and public events across the globe are being canceled or postponed. Coachella’s delay underscores how even large-scale, well-funded festivals are vulnerable to public health crises.

According to reports, the Coachella Valley region had confirmed several COVID-19 cases at the time of the decision. The postponement was intended to reduce contact exposure and protect both artists and attendees.

Refund & Ticket Policy

If you already held a ticket for the April festival, here’s what to expect:

  • Your ticket will remain valid for the new October dates.

  • However, if you can’t attend, organizers have laid out refund procedures. (Check official site for refund deadlines and terms.)

This flexibility helps maintain trust among fans while adapting to unpredictable circumstances.

What This Means for Attendees

  • Fans planning to travel may need to adjust their logistics—flights, hotels, and transportation.

  • October weather may differ from April, so be ready for shifts in climate and crowd mood.

  • Some lineup changes might occur depending on artists’ availability.

In short, being flexible, keeping up with official updates, and retaining your receipt and ticket information are key to navigating the change smoothly.

Conclusion

The decision to reschedule Coachella to October 2020 is a clear reflection of the times we live in—where health and safety come before spectacle. While disappointing for fans, postponing rather than canceling offers a hopeful path forward for music and culture to bounce back.

Stay informed, keep your ticket safe, and get ready to experience Coachella’s magic—just a few months later than planned.

Coachella was to be held on the weekends of April 10th and 17th at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. Now it’ll take place on October 9, 10 and 11 and October 16, 17 and 18. Honoring the purchases for April dates, organizers have released a statement on how to obtain a refund for rescheduled October dates if purchasers aren’t able to attend.

Coronavirus fear has badly affected the travel and tourism industry as every now and then, one or another tour is either being postponed or cancelled altogether. As per reports, Coachella valley has reported four confirmed cases of Coronavirus. The move of postponing the music festival is taken to protect people from coming in contact with affected victims and prevent further exposure.