For campers at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, the experience kicks off long before the first artist takes the stage.

Thursday night at the campgrounds has become a ritual for many festivalgoers, an essential prelude to the weekend ahead. But this year, something stood out: it wasn’t just friend groups rolling in with tents and coolers stocked with booze—it was families. Cousins, aunts, siblings, parents—entire multigenerational crews—came together to experience the three-day music festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio as a family affair.

The struggle to even get into the campgrounds set the stage for the night.

With lines of cars stretching around the festival grounds and hours of waiting, arriving at the campsite felt like an accomplishment in itself. But for festivalgoers who trekked for hours or even days, the challenge was worth it.

Natasha Ruelas, an 18-year-old from Riverside, arrived with her mom and aunt, making it an “all-girls team effort” to set up camp. “It’s my mom’s and my first time here,” she said. “She gave me the tickets for my 18th birthday because we both love the same artists. It’s a little bonding time for us.”

Despite having been in a car accident just days before, Natasha was determined to make the most of the experience. “I’m making carne asada and chicken—something a little Hispanic for us tonight.”

That sentiment was echoed by Danny De Alba, 39, from Upland, who came with a group of ten, including his wife and cousins from Mexico City and Riverside. “It’s my third year, my wife’s second, and my cousin John’s first,” he shared. “We come back because it’s a family thing. But also, because you get to know your neighbors. Meeting people from all over the world—that’s a beautiful thing.”

One of the most exciting changes to Thursday night was the addition of an exclusive set for campers. For the first time ever, Coachella brought a special headliner to the campgrounds, with DJ Chris Lake taking the stage from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. The stage was packed—so much so that it was nearly impossible to see him. But that didn’t stop the energy. Everyone started the night off strong, dancing, sharing drinks with friends, and finally allowing themselves to unwind after a long day of setting up camp in the desert heat.

Others, like Joey Didner from Portland, Oregon, also came because of family. “My mom wanted to do this,” he laughed. “She wanted to be a cool mom, and now here we are.” Joey’s parents, Mike and Pam, set up camp just a few cars away from their kids, fully embracing the camping experience. “The funny thing is, you have to sign up for camping before you even know who’s playing,” Joey added. “But my dad’s really into K-pop, so I guess it worked out.”

Beyond the music , camping offers something that a hotel or Airbnb simply can’t: an instant community. Terra Walls, who road-tripped from the Bay Area, has camped at Coachella for five years, but this is the first time she’s done it with such a large group—24 people across nine cars. “Every year I’ve camped, and it’s always been about more than just saving money,” she said. “It’s about the people. I love being able to talk to strangers and meet new friends. A lot of people in our group are here for the first time, and I wanted them to experience the adventure.”

This year’s campground also featured a few new additions to entertain campers. Just steps away from the Chris Lake stage, a hub by Anker, a mobile charging brand, provided a much-needed power boost for phones and devices. Nearby, a recreational space included a paddleball court and areas for games like ping-pong, hula hooping, and basketball, offering myriad ways to pass the time before the festival gates opened.

As Thursday night stretched into the early morning hours, the spirit of Coachella was already in full swing—music, laughter, and the kind of camaraderie that makes the camping experience as memorable as the festival itself. For many, it’s not just about the music. It’s about coming together, year after year, with old friends, new neighbors, and now, for many, it’s even a family tradition.