The Top Coachella Moments of 2025 So Far!

It’s that time of year again. Each spring, the Californian desert becomes a stage—not just for music, but for culture, creativity, and branding brilliance. Coachella has long been a magnet for spectacle, and in 2025, it’s clear the festival continues to evolve beyond its roots

This year’s top Coachella moments so far have reflected a growing trend: performance as experience. Whether it was an artist revealing a new album mid-set, or a creator launching a brand collab in real time, the lines between entertainment, commerce, and personal branding continue to blur in fascinating ways. For fans, it means a nonstop buzz and unforgettable live experiences, but for brands and creators it truly is a playground of infinite possibilities.

As we look back at the standout highlights from weekend one, it’s clear these 2025 Coachella moments are setting the tone not just for festival season, but for the cultural zeitgeist at large. Yes, we’re looking at you Gaga! From ultra mini skirts to a surprise performance from Queen Latifah, the desert certainly didn’t disappoint. So let’s dive right in and dissect the top Coachella moments of 2025 so far before weekend two arrives faster than you can say PALM SPRINGS!

THE TOP COACHELLA MOMENTS THAT HAD US IN A CHOKEHOLD DURING WEEKEND ONE

Lady Gaga proved exactly why she remains on top

Lady Gaga’s return to Coachella wasn’t just a performance—it was performance art. She channeled her early theatrical energy with elaborate visuals, stunning costume changes (yes, that Dilara Findikoglu piece!), and a stage presence that had the crowd eating out of the palm of her hand. Her nod to Alexander McQueen’s legendary 2005 chessboard show was peak fashion-meets-pop drama. Whether belting classics or teasing new material, Gaga reminded everyone why she continues to define pop spectacle. It was surreal, stylish, and unquestionably one of the top Coachella moments of 2025.

@mathias.swk

Judas live from Coachella #gagachella #coachella #judas #mayhem #mayhemball #ladygaga #lg @ladygaga

♬ son original – mathias

Lisa and Jennie remind us that they’re stars in their own right too

Lisa and Jennie of BLACKPINK might have shared global stardom as a group, but their solo Coachella performances this year confirmed they’re just as powerful on their own. Lisa stunned with her dance-heavy charisma, while Jennie brought her signature blend of edge and elegance. Fans got a glimpse beyond the BLACKPINK brand, and the energy in the crowd was electric. These powerful solo debuts marked a major turning point and firmly earned their place among the top Coachella moments of 2025.

@jennie_hq

WHOOOOO WANNA ROCK WITH JENNIE AT COACHELLA ❤️‍🔥 SEE YOU AGAIN AT WEEKEND 2!

♬ like JENNIE – JENNIE

Nobu X Red Bull provided festival goers with an extravagant dining experience

Who says you can’t have wagyu and EDM in the same afternoon? Red Bull teamed up with Nobu to deliver a culinary oasis in the desert with their Mirage pyramid; 200,000 square feet of chilled, ultra-luxe vibes. Inside, guests dined on a $350 omakase experience, paired with signature Red Bull cocktails and views to match. A-listers like Cardi B and Emma Roberts made appearances, and let’s be honest, if your festival doesn’t have sushi-grade vibes and pyramid AC, are you even doing Coachella right? This luxe activation served up one of the most unexpected top Coachella moments this year.

@labucketlist

Found inside the new Red Bull Mirage 🍱 #LAbucketlist

♬ original sound – LosAngelesBucketList

Ultra mini skirts dominated Coachella fashion this year

If 2025’s Coachella had an unofficial dress code, it was all about ultra mini skirts. Y2K fashion continues to reign, with celebs like Madison Pettis and influencers across the board sporting barely-there bottoms paired with boots, belts, and just enough attitude. Whether you loved the nostalgia or just the leg room, there’s no denying this was the silhouette of the season. As far as the best Coachella outfits go, fashion always finds its way into the conversation, and this year’s micro-minis spoke loud and clear.

Missy Elliot transports us back to the late 90s early 2000s

Missy Elliott’s debut Coachella set was a full-on masterclass in nostalgia and innovation. She literally transformed from a car into herself in the opening seconds (don’t ask, just YouTube it), and from there, it was one classic hit after another. From “Work It” to “Get Ur Freak On,” this set felt both retro and wildly current at the exact same time, earning both fan and critic praise and easily landing as one of the top Coachella moments of the weekend.

Bernie Sanders warns Coachella fans to “Turn away…at your own peril”

What wasn’t on our bingo card for 2025, was Bernie Sanders’ appearance at Coachella. Peak 2025 energy if we do say so ourselves. Introducing Clairo with a signature dose of intensity, he warned the crowd to “turn away…at your own peril,” not only reminding everyone that anything can happen in the desert, but also to continue standing up for what’s right. This unexpected fusion of policy and pop culture landed among the most talked-about top Coachella moments.

@latimes

Bernie Sanders made a surprise appearance at Coachella before introducing Clairo. #bernie #clairo

♬ original sound – The Los Angeles Times – The Los Angeles Times

Ramisha Sattar launches The Pinterest Experience

Coachella isn’t just for music. It’s a creative playground, and Ramisha Sattar’s Pinterest collab proved just that. Decked out with collage-style installations, curated fashion zones, and on-site stylists helping guests remix their personal style, it became one of the most creatively interactive spaces at the festival. 

Guests could remix their outfits with stylist-curated looks, take part in collage-making with Sattar’s signature flair, and snap Pinterest-worthy pics that went straight to their boards. Equal parts stylish and social, this activation was one of the top Coachella moments and a shining example of how creators are redefining the festival experience.

The 818 Outpost returned, this time with Rhode by its side

The 818 Outpost made a bold return this year, teaming up with Rhode Skin for an ultra-aesthetic activation straight out of your Pinterest board. Think 70s Autocamp vibes, custom cocktails, and a photo booth pop-up that had everyone, from Kendall Jenner to festival-goers, snapping pics. Fans got to live the soft-glam dream, and brands got major buzz. Definitely one of the top Coachella moments that blurred the line between IRL and Instagram.

@nikimcc

Thank you 818!! Also, you get no voiceover because my voice is already gone lol @rhode skin @RHODE @Quay @SALT & STONE @Emi Jay @lemme @Prince Street Pizza #818 #drink818 #818outpost #coachellaevents #coachellaparty #coachella

♬ Garden Of Eden – Lady Gaga

Greenday brought the punk classics to Coachella this year

Greenday’s headlining set was the punk-rock injection no one realized they needed until the first guitar chord hit. Making their Coachella debut, Billie Joe and crew blasted through a greatest hits lineup that had millennials and Gen Z alike shouting every word. The band unleashed a decades-spanning performance filled with singalong anthems, antiestablishment energy (a disapproving nod to Trump felt very apt in this moment), and mosh-pit nostalgia, proving that punk is far from dead. It reminded everyone why they’ve lasted 30+ years and easily earned a spot on the top Coachella moments list.

Megan Thee Stallion brought out Queen Latifah, Ciara, Victoria Monet and Spiritbox

Megan Thee Stallion’s performance wasn’t just a set, it was a celebration of female power across generations and genres, as she brought out a powerhouse lineup including Queen Latifah (who performed “U.N.I.T.Y.” to a roaring crowd), Ciara, Victoria Monét, and even Spiritbox’s Courtney LaPlante. The blend of hip-hop, R&B, metalcore, and pure girl power made it one of the most talked-about and top Coachella moments of the entire weekend.

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