Sabrina Carpenter headlined the opening night of Coachella with a cinematic, Hollywood-inspired performance that transformed the desert stage into a nostalgic fantasy world dubbed “Sabrinawood.”

The 26-year-old pop star delivered a high-energy set featuring 20 songs, complete with vintage film props, a towering “Sabrinawood” sign reminiscent of the Hollywood Hills, and surprise celebrity appearances. Among the standout moments were cameos from Susan Sarandon and Will Ferrell, adding to the show’s theatrical flair.

Carpenter, who made her Coachella debut in 2024, reflected on her journey as fans sang along to her breakout hit Espresso. The performance also featured live debuts from her latest album Man's Best Friend, including tracks such as “Manchild.”

The opening day set the tone for a diverse and star-powered 2026 edition of the festival, with headliners including Justin Bieber and Karol G scheduled across two weekends in Indio, California.

Under desert temperatures reaching 30°C, festivalgoers embraced Coachella’s signature fashion—cowboy boots, glitter, and bold summer fits—while moving between the event’s nine stages.

Elsewhere on Friday, Teddy Swims energized the main stage with performances of hits like “The Door,” “Bad Dreams,” and “Lose Control.” Rising girl group KATSEYE also made a highly anticipated festival debut, drawing large crowds.

However, not all performances went ahead as planned. Italian DJ Anyma cancelled his set due to strong winds affecting stage construction, according to organisers.

Looking ahead, Saturday’s lineup leans heavily into nostalgia, with performances from Nine Inch Nails—set to collaborate with Boys Noize—and The Strokes, who are preparing to release new music after a six-year hiatus. Electronic heavyweights Armin van Buuren and Adam Beyer will also take the stage, alongside K-pop star Taemin and British act PinkPantheress.

French DJ David Guetta is set to return, while David Byrne will make a special appearance. The lineup also reflects Coachella’s genre diversity, with influencer-turned-singer Addison Rae scheduled to perform.

Sunday will be headlined by Karol G, marking a milestone as the first Latina to lead the festival. The reggaeton star is expected to showcase her latest project Tropicoqueta, building on her legacy of celebrating Latin music icons.

The final day will also feature the return of K-pop group BIGBANG, marking their 20th anniversary, alongside legendary acts such as Iggy Pop and Fatboy Slim. Other performers include Major Lazer, Foster the People, and FKA twigs.

The festival will close with a special screening of the season three premiere of Euphoria, starring Zendaya, marking the show’s return after a four-year hiatus.

Coachella 2026 is being streamed live on YouTube, allowing global audiences to follow the performances in real time.