After a two-year hiatus, Coachella is back in the desert, bigger than ever with more bands and brands and even grander parties. While the intimacy was missed with smaller venues in previous years, (like Rachel Zoe’s ZOEasis at the Parker and Neon Carnival games where you could easily win a $100 gift card from Pac Sun) those days seem to be over, with many events happening on massive estates flanked by lakes in Indio, closer to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

While influencers and models flocked to the REVOLVE weekend party with live performances from Post Malone, Willow, and Jack Harlow, some partied late night at TAO’s desert activations, and the younger set found their way to Jaden Smith’s Trippy Summer mushroom-laden psychedelic clothing brand MSFTSrep’s colorful pop-up. Even Bella Thorne decided to be amongst the first celebrities to throw her own 500-person soiree in Bermuda Dunes. Coachella has actually morphed into musicians playing at these desert pop-up festivals around the actual Coachella Music and Arts Festival, while there seems to be no end in sight for the ever-evolving influencer generation soirees.

People are happy to be alive, mingling in wild festival “Coachella” outfits once again. The best people-watching happens at these parties. Everywhere we looked there was BIG BIG energy!

Get the LaLaScoop on this year’s sizzling hot 99-degree Coachella festival party scene filled with buzzy brands wanting to get their swag into the right hands.

Here are our favorite branded events and after-parties that occur around the Coachella weekend 1 festival in the desert that you won’t want to miss next year. Note: None of the events below are associated with Coachella, but they happen to pop up around the music and arts festival.

Rolling Stone X Meta Creator House

One of the most fun parties took place Thursday evening at ARRIVE PALM SPRINGS and then again poolside Saturday on April 16 where music, creators, fashion, tech, and more came together to celebrate amongst incredible performances and DJ sets, featuring brands offering sips from CIROC Vodka, Matua Wine, Madre Mezcal, and Tractor juices. We discovered some great Mezcals like Cuish, Mal Bien, and Mezcal Animas while the owner of Madre was on hand to demonstrate how they determine ABV on Mezcal with bubbles funneled from a long straw. While most parties are invite-only, Saturday’s day party is one of the only events open to the public.

Rolling Stone’s third annual weekend-long festival experience featured live performances by Grace McKagan, BLXST and Carwash, James Hype, and perennial festival headliner Gryffin, Plus, special guests Deejays Denise Love Hewett and Tolula Adeyemi.

We watched Patrick Schwarzenegger waltz in with his girlfriend in full Lucky Brand denim and finally met colorful interior designer Dani Dazey aka Dazey Den LA who has a show coming out soon on HBO detailing how she and her partner revamped the new Trixie Motel in Palm Springs in glorious pink and bright colors. Coachella’s favorite fashionista Alessandra Ambrosio was also on hand enjoying refreshing Sauvignon Blanc from Matua Wine.  

Highlights at both events included CÎROC Vodka Spritz canned cocktails, a Matua Wine chill zone and beauty bar featuring facial glitter and rhinestones and hair braiding, and a curated Madre Restaurant & Mezcaleria sampling station providing refreshing poolside mezcal cocktails, with a hydration opportunity courtesy of ORIGIN™ water sampling station, a nutrition bar sampling station by Core Foods, Reign Energy Drinks, Candy Pop Popcorn featuring flavors Sour Patch Kids, M&Ms Minis Twix and Snickers, and Tractor Beverage Co. offering refreshing juice combinations.

Rolling Stone partnered with Meta to bring its successful Creator House activation to the desert valley so brands could develop unique and engaging experiences for attendees to explore the products and tools that support creators’ storytelling ambitions – including Reels, Meta Quest 2 VR headsets and Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses.

Resorts World Las Vegas and Zouk Group served as hotel and nightlife partners for the 2022 iteration of Rolling Stone Live, the newest Las Vegas hospitality destination, with poolside cabanas and a sea of neon trucker hats flooding guests as they danced the day away at the pool party extravaganza.

Lucky Brand, the renowned lifestyle fashion and denim brand returned to Palm Springs to debut its Future Fantastic event curated in partnership with Lola Langusta of Stoned Fox. While we watched a few get tatted, guests took home all sorts of swag – from Lucky Brand Tees, bandanas, and slip-on peace sandals. A custom craft cocktails bar by Codigo 1530 and Disco Cubes kept the party rolling along with overall cheery vibes – one-of-a-kind art by Elena Stonaker and Radha Creative and Yarn Bomb work by artist Megan Boyd.

Abra, the leading Crypto platform, took over Cartel Coffee and presented the first-ever “Conquer Crypto Café” where attendees received surprise drops throughout the day. Attendees also had the chance to take a break from the excitement in the Lovesac StealthTech Lounge where they experienced an immersive surround sound and charging station through the brand’s technology embedded inside the Sactionals.

ZOEasis

Fashion stylist goddess Rachel Zoe returned to the desert to host The Zoe Report’s ZOEasis, held this year at a sprawling estate in Indio. In its sixth year, ZOEasis hosted stylish and influential artists, musicians, and talent for a midday desert oasis celebration on Saturday, April 16th in the desert heat. Appearances included Behati Prinsloo, Keke Palmer, Olivia Culpo, Nicole Scherzinger, Ella Purnell, Samantha Hanratty, Ava Phillippe, Jabari Banks, Gavin Leatherwood, and more. Rachel Zoe showed off her gold dress and clothing line with Express.

A Glimmer Bar gave party-goers glitter eyebrows, while other fun included bracelet making with gorgeous beads and sustainable inspired art installations where guests could write well wishes tied to a Giving Tree by Outshine Snacks who kept guests cool with their real fruit bars. European Wax Center gifted products like natural deodorant that curbs hair growth and Slow hair minimizing body lotion for legs and bikini area.

LA Weekly Festival Weekend Retreat

Another epic estate in Indio prepped festival-goers with craft cocktails, cannabis, exclusive gifts, tattoos, hair feathers and tinsel applied by Carousel Hair Extensions along with live art demos and live music. Kurvana gave guests personally engraved cannabis pens and cute leafy print bikinis and swim shorts while a retro convertible donned in fun flowers and pot leaves made for everyone’s favorite photo moment. Canadian Classics gifted adorable puffy sleeveless vests and shiny metallic rain slickers while the brand mou (@mouofficial) gave away elevated summer sandals in pink or glittery straps.

LA-based SUPERBIRD served the Best Damn Tequila Cocktails in a can like Pink Grapefruit Paloma while visitors could paint some festive art scenes with funky bird designs.

Cool Cat showcased their berry, grapefruit, and original wine spritzer and Tres Generaciones made epic tequila cocktails amplified with liquid nitrogen frozen berries.

Weed could be tested at Flightpath and overall, the scene was very relaxed with many set-ups on the grounds spread out so the location made for a nice outdoor party where guests could actually socialize comfortably and explore new products and brands.

Nylon House

NYLON made its debut in Thermal Friday evening for an after-hours party under the full moon at Buena Vista by AvantStay, the same location as ZOEasis. An exclusive DJ set from Peggy Gou and more surprise appearances like fire dancers and laser light girls kept the crowd moving and grooving in the warm evening winds. 

Immersive branded experiences abound – a DJ booth with a metaverse-inspired dance floor was brought to life with projection mapping and special-effects content, a mobile Scent Bar offered samples of MCM’s signature Eau de Parfum, and a custom-built lifesize MCM Trunk Suitcase Champagne Bar was made for photo ops.

e.l.f. Cosmetics gifted makeup and skincare products with a grand circular station offering glitter rhinestone and makeup applications all night. After visiting numerous cocktail stations like the Thirst Trap and a coffee cocktail bar, taking home cans of Soulboost to ease our minds the next day seemed like the best idea.

NYLON created a special print edition of the magazine that was celebrated at the event, featuring global sensation, singer and songwriter Anitta on the cover. Models galore arrived along with Anitta, Emma Chamberlain, Sabrina Carpenter, Gavin Leatherwood, Jabari Banks, Iann Dior, Bretman Rock and more beautiful people.

Neon Carnival

The hottest after-party in America was back in the desert for its 11th year, drawing the ultimate fashion fun crowd. This is the one place where any outfit goes! Neon Carnival was sponsored by Levi’s®, Tequila Don Julio, and Hydration by Liquid I.V. The fête welcomed new brand additions too, including Liquid I.V., DIRECTV, Monster Energy, new Smirnoff Neon Lemonades, and reusable aluminum Neon Carnival branded PathWater bottles. 

Invite only and no need to spend money once you are in, the outdoor carnival with games and a roaring DJ dance club is still one of the hottest tickets in town. Wrist bands need to be pickup by electronic verification before the party. Read our interview on MoneyInc with the founder Brent Bolthouse or see what Neon was like in 2017.

Regular festival attendees flocked this year like Leonardo DiCaprio, surrounded by models, and Paris Hilton (with husband in tow) plus many guests like Timothée Chalamet, Amber Rose, Jared Leto, Angus Cloud, Anitta, Rachel Zoe, Shaun Ross, Cody Ko, Meg Thee Stallion, Bella Poarch,  Belly, Brett Oppenheim, Camila Mendes, Helen Owen, Jasmine Tookes, Jason Oppenheim,  KJ Apa, Nick Viall, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Becky G, Sabrina Carpenter, Shanina Shaik, Teddi Mellencamp, Teyana Taylor, and Zoey Deutch.

Guests scored all sorts of Levis Brand swag by winning carnival games like fluorescent belts, iridescent fanny packs, stuffed animals, and see-through backpacks. Rides excited party-goers when they were off the dance floor – from bumper cars to Ferris wheel spins.

And for the first time this year, Neon Carnival went digital with two exciting opportunities. Levi’s® and Neon Carnival regular, Paris Hilton, hosted the Neon Carnival experience in the metaverse in “Paris World” on Roblox. To celebrate the much-anticipated return of Neon Carnival as well as Tequila Don Julio’s sixth consecutive year as a sponsor of the most coveted after-party, artist and photographer Jose Silva, who has been capturing all the action over the years, compiled some of his most epic photos into an exclusive NFT. The six limited-edition NFTs gave holders a glimpse into the hottest event of the season with Tequila Don Julio and unlocked tickets to this year’s Neon Carnival which is otherwise invite-only. 

Returning to its permanent home located at the Desert International Horse Park, the sprawling equestrian center welcomed back festivalgoers to its all-grass knoll spanning three football fields with world-renowned DJs Ruckus and Kayper who kept the party going late into the night along with newcomer Mel DeBarge, reining from New York City. Many had to get their energy levels going as this party starts around 10 PM with many flocking after the Coachella performances and arriving at 1 AM or later.

Conceptualized by LA’s original nightlife maven, Brent Bolthouse, and produced by Best Events, the duo has created the unrivaled outdoor dance party that is widely recognized as one of the most sought-after parties on the planet, attracting the entertainment industry’s elite year after year. 

HBO Max The Flight Attendant Preflight Lounge

This was HBO Max’s first-ever Coachella activation giving invite-only guests a look at season two of the Max Original THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT ahead of its premiere on Thursday, April 21. At the Ace Hotel, guests could check in a staged ‘airport’ lounge on April 16 and 17 for healthy juices, pose for a video photo-opp with sunglasses and luggage down a moving walkway, and take home a colorful hip backpack from Baboon to the Moon with cool swag like red sneakers, travel gear, and skincare essentials. A wellness treatment lounge offered festival-goers “feel-better” treatments like IV therapy, cryo facials, lymphatic drainage massages, and guided yoga sessions from trained professionals, with partners Sameday Health, Brentwood Home, The Remedy Place, and Loops Beauty.

Season two of the critically acclaimed dark comedy series finds Cassie Bowden (played by Kaley Cuoco) living her best sober life in Los Angeles while moonlighting as a CIA asset in her spare time. Inspired by Cassie’s wellness journey, HBO Max assembled a curated collection of wellness programming to help guests explore interactive elements inspired by the mysteries and adventures fans can expect from the show’s upcoming season. We sashayed in right next to Olivia Culpo and a number of other model influencers.

Soho Desert House

The first Soho Desert House from Soho House (a global members’ club for creatives) popped up in the Coachella Valley on a massive 40-acre palm tree-laden Empire Grand Oasis estate in Thermal for 3 weekends – Coachella the first two weekends and Stagecoach the third weekend. You don’t need to be a Soho House member to attend but tickets will run you around $500 for the weekend or $200 per day for all the food, drink, and live entertainment you can imagine.

We learned many big-name acts showed up late night as well as major festival performers made appearances, like Diplo, Honey Dijon, Hot Chip, and Billy Eilish. An Erewhon station allowed guests to grab a bag to fill up on healthy treats, wellness products, and cool new beverages all day. The pop-up’s membership includes the club’s incredible feast (grilled lobster, paella, meatballs, salads, and more) all day long plus countless cool setups and airstreams all over the estate grounds serving food and drinks. Truly an impressive array of beverage and restaurant vendors – like pizza from Cecconi’s, Chicas Tacos, Daring plant-based food, Grind Coffee, Gelato Festival serving ice cream cones, Saint James Iced Tea, Sunrisa tequila cocktails, and many more.

Some of our favorite drinks were from AMASS, which Soho members know well from their botanic hand sanitizers; but their Boozy Frose and frozen Espresso Colada martinis are life-changing. Many took home a “Mezcal” hat with their name stitched on it while sipping Rosaluna Mezcal cocktails too. Everyone’s favorite clear sunscreen line Supergoop! was on hand in a bright yellow Sunshine Shack giving out free samples. Countless photo ops were available like a swing area showcasing the BilleEilish Fragrance (who stopped by on Saturday), a large-scale sunglasses sculpture, a sandy “Croc Beach” sunset palm tree oasis, and video content booth fun from Pop Social. We did not want to leave this adult playground meeting people from all over the world who came for Coachella but ended up at Soho Desert House.

While Diplo is our favorite DJ muse that showed up, there were many surprise appearances and sets by Ape Drums, DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown (Erykah Badu), DJ Pee .Wee (Anderson .Paak), DJ Rosegold, Dua Saleh, Earry Hall, Hablot Brown, Hustling & Healing with TOKiMONSTA, Major League Djz, Masego, Michelle Leshem, Midnight Lovers LA, Rick Trainor, Silent Addy, Siobhan Bell, Soulection, TOBi, and more.

Tips for getting in: Most parties are invite-only, so if you wish to attend you must be media, a celebrity, a brand sponsor, or an influencer. Guests are allowed to bring plus ones and for many events guests have to pre-register online before attending.

Plan your stay: Book your accommodations way in advance. Palm Springs is about a 2.5-hour drive from LA without traffic. Some of our favorite boutique hotels in Palm Springs include Villa Royale, Korakia, and the new Azure Sky. Since we rented our desert home Lone Palm Bungalow, we slept well at the Tiki Hotel designed by Tracy Turco with uber comfy beds and pillows.