INDIO, CA — A total of 97 people were arrested during the first weekend of the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, police said Tuesday.
The largest number of arrests, 59, were for drug possession, while 14 people were arrested for false identification and another three for drug or alcohol intoxication. There was one person arrested for property crime and another 20 individuals arrested were categorized solely as "other," according to the Indio Police Department.
Police said 32 citations were issued for the unlawful use of a disabled person placard.
Gov. Gavin Newsom commented Monday about the economic impact music festivals — including Coachella and Stagecoach — have on the state.
"California's creative economy is an economic engine. Events like Coachella and Stagecoach don't just showcase incredible talent — they power local economies, support small businesses and reinforce California's position as the entertainment capital of the world," Newsom said.
He credited both festivals with injecting $700 million into the local economy each year, while supporting more than 10,000 temporary jobs in the Coachella Valley annually.
This year's festival headliners are Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber and Karol G. The second weekend of the festival will be held this Friday through Sunday at the Empire Polo Club, located at 81-800 51st Ave.
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