Music Festival Tickets: When to Buy and How to Save

The Complete Music Festival Ticket Guide

From Coachella to Bonnaroo, music festival tickets require a different buying strategy than regular concerts. Here's everything you need to know.

Festival Ticket Tiers

Most festivals release tickets in phases:

Early Bird / Loyalty Pre-sale:

• 20-30% cheaper than standard
• Limited quantity
• For newsletter subscribers or past attendees
• Sells out in minutes

General On-Sale:

• Standard pricing
• Larger inventory
• Still sells quickly for major festivals
• Payment plans often available

Late Release / Re-sale:

• Premium pricing
• After lineup announcement
• Sometimes additional tickets released

Festival Price Comparison

Festival

Early Bird

Standard

Resale Peak

Coachella	$450	$550	$800+
Lollapalooza	$300	$400	$550+
Bonnaroo	$300	$400	$500+
EDC Vegas	$400	$500	$700+
Outside Lands	$350	$450	$600+

Timing Strategies

Buy Early When:

• You're committed to attending
• You have the budget
• It's a "destination" festival
• Past years sold out

Wait When:

• You're unsure about dates
• Lineup isn't announced yet
• Festival has history of price drops
• You can risk missing out

Payment Plans

Most major festivals offer payment plans:

Typical Terms:

• 10-20% deposit
• 3-6 monthly payments
• Small processing fee
• Auto-charged to card

Benefits:

• Lock in early bird pricing
• Spread out cost
• Cancel protection varies

Resale Market Tips

If you miss the initial sale:

Best Platforms:

• StubHub (buyer protection)
• SeatGeek (price comparison)
• Official festival exchange (if offered)
• Ticket Scan (compare all options)

When Prices Drop:

• 1-2 weeks before festival
• After lineup disappoints some buyers
• Last 48 hours (risk involved)
• After headliner cancellations

Red Flags:

• Prices way below face value
• Sellers outside official platforms
• Requests for unusual payment
• No buyer protection

Festival-Specific Strategies

Coachella:

• Early bird sells out instantly
• Weekend 2 slightly cheaper
• Car camping adds value
• Check StubHub 2 weeks before

Bonnaroo:

• Payment plans available
• GA+ worth the upgrade
• Late prices often drop
• Check for add-on deals

Lollapalooza:

• Single-day passes available
• Thursday less crowded
• Chicago hotel prices spike
• Layer strategy: buy then upgrade

EDC Las Vegas:

• Loyalty presale important
• May heat = some selloffs
• Shuttle passes valuable
• Camping sells out fast

VIP vs GA

Is VIP worth it?

Feature

GA

VIP

Stage access	General	Closer viewing
Bathrooms	Standard	Upgraded
Shade/comfort	Limited	Lounges
Cost	$X	2-3x
Our verdict	Best value	For comfort priority

Money-Saving Tips

1. Join mailing lists early - Get presale access

2. Follow social media - Flash sales announced there

3. Consider smaller festivals - Similar vibes, lower prices

4. Group buying - Some festivals offer group discounts

5. Volunteer - Free entry for work shifts

6. Ambassador programs - Earn free tickets through referrals

Avoid These Mistakes

1. Waiting for lineup then paying resale premium

2. Buying without trip insurance for destination festivals

3. Ignoring add-on costs (camping, parking, shuttles)

4. Using unofficial resale platforms

5. Forgetting to register/activate wristbands

Track festival announcements and prices on Ticket Scan to catch the best deals.