Overview Neon Carnival is an invite-only carnival thrown in the desert on the Saturday night of Coachella's first weekend, with rides, midway games and late-night sets starting after the festival grounds close and running into the early morning. Brent Bolthouse started it in the early Coachella years and produces it with Jeffrey Best, through Bolthouse Productions and Best Events, and the 2026 edition was its 15th. It is not affiliated with the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. On site The 2026 carnival ran in Thermal from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. It spreads over several acres of rides, games, bars, food and a stage, and brands build many of the attractions. Entry runs on wristbands issued ahead of time at a pre-check in Los Angeles, and in 2026 the RTHMS app gave its users priority RSVP and a Fast Lane at the door. Audience Access is at the organizer's discretion. Invitations go largely through talent agencies, record labels and industry contacts, and past guests have included Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Leonardo DiCaprio and Drake. Talent and Influencers Ty Dolla $ign made his Neon Carnival debut in 2026, with DJ sets from Channel Tres, DJ NITRANE and Dre Sinatra and an opening set from Mary Mac. Brand presence Rivian and LaCroix Sparkling Water presented the 2026 edition. Below them, partners took pieces of the carnival itself: Maruchan branded the Ferris wheel and ran a ramen Airstream, Loop Earplugs ran a Whac-A-Mole game, Tito's Handmade Vodka built a photo container with a claw machine, XTRA Camera ran a 360-degree video booth, e.l.f. Cosmetics built a beauty experience, Sally Hansen did manicures, and Hint Water and PATH Water ran hydration stations. The partnership levels on this listing follow the same map: title and presenting positions, the pre-check and wristband, a single carnival ride or a single carnival game.