Graphic Liner

Nothing makes a statement quite like graphic eyeliner. Whether you go for black, white, or colored liner, you can accentuate your eyes by drawing geometric lines, dual wings, or unique shapes. Look for a colored, waterproof, liquid eyeliner to create this look and use the natural shape of your eye as a guide for where to place the lines.

Stick-on Gems

It’s EDC, so it’s time to pull out all the stops! Stick-on gems add all the bling to your rave look. There are single press-on rhinestones or packs of jewels you can apply above your eyebrows or below your eyes. Some are even reusable and can be applied with eyelash glue if the stick starts to fade!

Temporary Tattoos

Be a show-stopper by applying temporary tats to your face! You can use them on your cheekbones, next to your eyes, or above your brows. You can also pair them with face jewels to put them around your body as seen above.

Colorful Inner Corners

This is my personal go-to rave look. I do my classic black eyeliner wing with no shadow on my lid - but then I add a pop of neon color to the inner corner of my eyes. I especially love doing this with shimmery, holographic eye shadow. It brightens and draws attention to the eyes.

Rainbow colors

Go with the full rainbow spectrum this EDC! You can apply ROYGBIV to each eyelid - or, do red, orange, and yellow on one lid, and green, blue, and purple on the other lid for a look that spans your whole face

Bright brows

Filling in your brows is a common step for applying makeup, but have you ever tried a vivid, colorful brow? You can use eye shadow or even a colored liner to fill them in with a color of your choice, letting your brows take the center stage of your look!

Monochrome

If you’re doing a single colored outfit, like an all pink or an all neon green look, stick with that monochrome color for your makeup. It will tie your whole look together. Adding some stick-on rhinestones that match your color will put the cherry on top.

Holographic Highlighter

I’m obsessed with holographic, shimmery, color-shifting makeup! Adding some holographic color to your cheekbones will keep you looking like a shimmery fairy all night long.

Bold Patterns

Have you ever tried to paint on cow spots, plaid lines, or fluffy clouds to your eyelids? EDC could be the opportunity you’re waiting for! Depending on your outfit, match a bold pattern and apply it to your eyes.

Hot or Cold

Would you go with red, orange, yellow, or green, blue, purple? Pick a side - warm or cool - and use that for your makeup inspiration. You can use colored liners, shimmery eye shadows, and vivid lipstick to make this hot or cold look come to life. Bonus points: your best friend can be the hot to your cold, or vice versa!

No matter which makeup idea you go for, be sure to apply setting spray before heading to EDC to lock in your makeup for a long night of dancing! It’s smart to bring eyelash glue or lipstick with you in case of an emergency re-apply. The hardest part, for me at least, is not touching my face once my makeup is on! If applied correctly and set in place with setting spray, it’s best not to mess with it. But, I would recommend sticking a few cotton swabs in your bag, just in case you need to touch up the area under your eyes. We’ll all be crying during our favorite sets, but we’ve got to keep our makeup looking fire. Remember to stay hydrated and have an amazing time under the electric sky!

For those who have never attended this 4-day camping festival over Halloween weekend, it may be hard to understand just how special this place is. Between the people, the nature, the music, the art, and the vibes, Hulaween is the ultimate happy place for a festival-lover. Spirit Lake, specifically, creates the heartbeat of Hulaween. The positive energy here is tangible - a buzzing magic that pulses through your entire body with every step as you explore the grounds.

Let me paint a picture for you.

Sun beams peek through spooky strands of Spanish Moss hanging in the trees. Golden hour at Suwannee is a special time - painting the grounds with a warm glow. Magic is in the air.

You walk through the entrance to Spirit Lake - surrounded by Chris Dyer murals and a beautiful arch (projection mapped at night), opening up into the new and improved Spirit Lake stage on your right, with the shimmering lake to your left. Massive trees adorned with Spanish Moss lead your way. You continue on this path, passing tons of smiling faces and dancing people in fun costumes. It’s Halloween weekend, so everyone is dressed up in amazing costumes and radiating positive vibes. 

As you continue your walk, you encounter mind-blowing art installations - including stunning hand-painted murals, a huge witch and her cauldron (climb inside!), a giant wooden spider (yes, you could sit inside the spider butt this year!), the massive Frick Frack Black Jack casino (gambling with the most ridiculous items), the House of Lost spooky outdoor cathedral, and many, many more. The deeper you explore, the more magic you uncover. On the far side of the lake is the Campground Stage, and plenty more art to see.

Spirit Lake is sprawling with hidden gems to explore and spots to sit down and take it all in.

As night falls, lights begin to turn on and you can feel the shift in vibes… it’s time to boogie. Costumes change and the people are ready to dance the night away. Colored lights illuminate the trees, art installations switch from day to night with stunning LEDs, and suddenly, you’re transported to another world. Night time at Hulaween feels like you’re on another planet.

Festival Highlights

The peak moment of the weekend for me was The String Cheese Incident’s iconic Saturday night set. If you’re a Hulaween veteran, you know this is the highlight of the weekend. Everyone in the venue is gathered together at the main stage for the themed set, where Cheese covers iconic songs relating to the festival theme that year. Everywhere you look, spanning the entire, massive field, people are grooving, smiling, singing, being silly, and basking in the pure magic of the moment. A sea of lights, smiles, and beautiful people. The sense of unity, oneness, and happiness bursting from the crowd is palpable, and enough to bring tears to my eyes. This is why I come to Hulaween year after year.

Another mind blowing set during Hula was Of The Trees. My entire festival family was there together and we were absolutely blown away by this performance! High-energy, bass-infused magic permeated the entire crowd.

CloZee and Manic Focus, who continue to bring top-tier energy to Suwannee time and time again, wooed the crowd with radiating, dreamy vibes. Eazybaked delivered a heavy-hitting set full of uptempo bangers, getting everyone at the Amp Stage moving and grooving.

I was really looking forward to J.I.D’s set, since I had never seen him live before. What a beautiful experience! Adding a flair of hip hop into my Suwannee schedule was a huge success and my squad really enjoyed the energy.

The Desert Hearts Takeover won my heart, ending the weekend high on vibes. We got a heavy dose of house and techno infused with the purest love.

Tickets are running low, so be sure to get yours here before its too late! 

Ready to get weird at Hula this year? Let’s go through our Hulaween Essentials packing list to make sure you’re fully prepped for a weekend of adventure, great music, and new experiences.

Camping Gear

Tent - tent stakes, tarps, rain fly, mallot - water-repellent tent spray

Pop-up canopy for shade - with stakes so it won’t blow away

Camping chairs - enough for everyone at your campsite

Hammock - don’t forget the straps

Air mattress and pump

Bedding, blankets, and pillows - bring a few extra and keep in a dry place

Folding table

Cooler

First-Aid kit - make sure it’s fully stocked

Lanterns, string lights, and flashlights - with extra batteries

Duct tape, rope cord, carabiner clips, and plastic baggies

Camping knife and scissors

Towels - bring a few extra and keep in a dry place

Camp Kitchen

Camping stove - with propane

Drinking water - bring extra

Reusable water bottle

Trash bags - bring extra and LEAVE NO TRACE. 

Pot and pan

Sharp knife and cutting board

Meals and snacks for each day

Plates, bowls, cups, forks, spoons, knives, tongs, spatula

Seasonings and condiments - salt, pepper, hot sauce, ketchup

Dish washing supplies - bucket, sponge, biodegradable dish soap

Biodegradable paper towels or reusable rags

Lollipops and gum

Personal Items

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Hairbrush and hair ties

Deodorant

Baby wipes

Sunscreen

Bug spray

Toilet paper

Feminine products

Body wash, shampoo, and conditioner

Chapstick

Other

Earplugs

Tapestries to decorate your campsite - bring string and clothespins to hang

Battery or solar-powered laser or galaxy lights

Battery-powered fan for camp

Hand-held fan for in the crowd

Door mat for your tent to wipe off your shoes

Charging blocks to power your devices
Speaker with charger for campsite tunes

Phone charger

Flow toys - if LED, bring charger

Yoga mat

Bug-repellant candles

Fire pit and firewood - weather permitting

Essential oils or incense

Disposable camera or Polaroid camera with film

Biodegradable glitter, temporary tattoos, or blacklight reactive body paint - if that’s your vibe

Gifts - tiny hands, kandi bracelets, etc. - get some gifting ideas here.

Clothing

Rain jacket

Waterproof boots

Comfortable walking shoes

Extra socks and undies

Cold weather jacket

Outfits for each day/night - with layering options depending on weather

Hats

Sunglasses

Pashmina

Fanny pack or backpack

With a wide variety of genres on the lineup, there's a little something for everyone at Hula! Tickets are available here. Without further ado, here’s my list of the top 10 acts you must see at Hulaween this year!

CloZee

A staple in the festival world, CloZee melts minds with her beautiful beats infused with global influences and tribal sounds. Founder of the record label Odyzey Music, CloZee brings together live and electronic elements that represent an adventure in sound. Uplifting melodies and danceable drops get her crowds moving, no matter where she plays. If you’ve never seen her play before, you’re in for a treat. CloZee is not a set to skip!

Femme House Takeover

I am particularly stoked about this one! The lineup for this takeover includes TOKiMONSTA, Ultra Naté, Elohim, Miane, Kaleena Zanders, HVNLEE, and LP Giobbi. Hula is even hosting a special contest to play the opening slot! See their post to learn more about this opportunity.

Femme House promotes more equitable opportunities for women and gender non-conforming individuals in music through education, scholarships, and more. Don’t sleep on this exciting female-centric takeover at Hula!

Of The Trees

Of The Trees’ style of bass music is absolutely enthralling, stroking the senses and evoking feelings of magic, love, and adventure. From dreamy downtempo to high-energy, crispy bass drops, Of The Trees is an audial storyteller who weaves layers of emotions into his music. Catching an Of The Trees set at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is especially exciting.

Need some convincing? Hey Siri, play Spanish Moss by Of The Trees.

Desert Hearts Takeover

Looking for some house, techno, and love? Search no further. Your vibe quest will be fulfilled at the Desert Hearts Takeover this year. Most known for their Desert Hearts Festival in California, this collective of house and techno artists brings a renegade-inspired, dust-covered, and desert-infused vibe to Hulaween. Shake off your shuffling shoes and get ready to feel the radiant love at the Desert Hearts Takeover.

STS9

Sound Tribe Sector 9 crosses genre borders, mixing sounds of funk, psychedelia, instrumental rock, and electronic into a delicious, diverse smoothie of sound. This iconic band will take you on an audial adventure, so come with an open mind and prepare for an exciting audiovisual journey. You are sure to be blown away by STS9’s performance.

Wakaan Takeover

Liquid Stranger’s label, Wakaan, is known for their weird, wild, and wonderful style, infused with a wonky, other-worldly essence. Wakaan unites bass music artists who share a passion for left-field, high-energy music that could be the soundtrack to an alien abduction. Get your fix of trippy drops and mesmerizing electronic sounds at the Wakaan Takeover this year.

Opiuo

Glitchy, funky, crunchy, colorful, intoxicating, and eclectic sounds. That’s what you’ll get at an Opiuo set. Wear your favorite sneakers and come prepared to dance! The New Zealand-born, Australia-based artist Opiuo brings an energetic and fun twist to EDM, incorporating both electronic and live elements with a funky DNA. Expect stunning visuals and booty-shaking beats in this audiovisual experience.

FISHER

Move, get out the way, my feet wanna go dancing! Tech-house lovers, I’ll see you at FISHER’s set. If you want to catch a hint about the Aussie artist’s style, just check out his video series, Follow the Fish TV. FISHER brings his hilarious, high-energy personality to house music, getting everyone at his sets moving and grooving. FISHER sets the tone for a proper party and his set is sure to get your feet shuffling!

Player Dave

I truly can’t wait for this set. Player Dave will bring a unique style of multi-dimensional bass music to Hulaween this year, painting deeply emotional, audial portraits using abstract sounds. Player Dave doesn’t abide by boundaries or rules regarding music production. He creates weird, original music, tapping into dark noises and sounds from alternate realities that make you go, “what even WAS that?” with a bass face smeared across your lips.

Ready for an electronic music experience unlike any other? Come ponder your existence at Player Dave’s set.

The String Cheese Incident

You made it to the end of my top 10! Did you really think I’d skip Cheese?! Any Hulaween-er knows how key it is to catch String Cheese sets. If nothing else, make sure you show up on Saturday night for the themed set! It’s definitely the place to be and the most important set to catch at Hula.

The themed set always brings beautiful, happy energy to Suwannee - looking up and seeing everyone in their costumes, grooving to Cheese is the ultimate highlight of the Hula experience. What covers do you think we’ll hear for the Suwannee Horror Disco Show theme?! It’s just a jump to the left…

Yes, this year’s lineup is stacked with artists across genres, but Hulaween isn’t just about the music! Come for the top 10; stay for the vibes and art. Wandering around Spirit Lake at night is an absolutely magical experience, packed to the brim with mind-blowing art installations that will illuminate the Music Park.

If you get lucky, you might even catch your favorite artists throwing down secret sets. Not to mention all the exciting things you’ll experience in the campgrounds! See you at Hula over Halloween weekend, Oct. 27 - 30, 2022!

If you’re planning to hit a festival this summer, make sure you take a peek at my tips below on how to stay cool and take care of your body at summertime events. These tricks should keep you protected from the elements and feeling healthy and energized all festival long!

It’s absolutely essential to show up for yourself and your friends to keep everyone on their feet and grooving this summer. No one likes dealing with dehydration, sunburn, or chafing.

Dehydration

We all know how important it is to drink water at festivals, but are you getting enough water to compensate for the intense heat during the summer? You should be drinking about half a gallon of water per day, but in the warmer months and when exercising (dancing), try to drink more than that. Remember, if you ever start to feel lightheaded, have dry and cracked lips, or are peeing less than 4 times a day, you need to drink more water!

I love putting the drink power called Liquid IV into a cup of water at festivals because it tastes yummy and it’s packed with electrolytes, delivers hydration to the bloodstream faster, and even has a bunch of vitamins in it. Drinking one of these each morning helps me feel more hydrated almost instantly. They’re game changers. I also like bringing pickles to camping festivals for electrolyte boosts.

I try to keep my cooler packed with ice throughout a camping festival, buying more as needed to keep my drinks and food cold. There’s nothing like drinking cold water at a festival, and you can rub the ice on your neck if you ever get too warm.

Chafing

If you’re a thick-thighed human, like myself, this might be the absolute worst part of summertime raves. I’ve tried a variety of chafing products you can rub onto your skin, like a deodorant stick. Remember to keep your skin dry and clean. Elastic, tight fitting apparel can help prevent chafing, too. Try wearing bike shorts under a dress, for example!

To keep your skin happy, remember to shower often and change your socks multiple times a day!

Sunburns

Sunscreen is a basic but necessary essential for festivals. Bring a good quality, high SPF sunscreen for your face. Reapply as often as needed.

I’ll say it again. Sunscreen. I can’t tell you how many festivals I’ve gone to and brought it, but forgot to apply it. Sunburns are the worst and will have you in pain for the rest of the weekend! Just look after yourself and your friends and make sure everyone has a good coat of sunscreen on before leaving camp at summertime festivals, even if there's only a few hours of sunlight left.

If you’re prone to sunburns, try to find lightweight garments you can wear to both look cute and protect your skin. Parasols or umbrellas come in handy and look adorable, too. Don’t forget your favorite sunglasses and hats! Also, if you do get a sunburn, pack some aloe to heal your skin quickly.

Pro tip: put your aloe bottle into a sealable bag and let your sunscreen and aloe sit in your cooler during the camping fest. When you apply it, it will be cold on your skin and it will feel even more amazing.

Overheating

At summertime camping festivals, battery-powered fans come in clutch. You can also get cooling towels to keep you from roasting at your campsite. Showering at least once daily also helps cool down the body temperature. The hottest time of the day is in the afternoon to late afternoon, so time your showers to be around that time or just after to feel the most refreshed going into the night.

Eat healthy, nutritious foods before and throughout the event to keep yourself feeling energized, even through intense heat. Foods that hydrate, like watermelon, can be a great way to keep cool while getting in some nourishment!

Stay healthy, stay happy, and rave on!

Green Velvet, Francesca Lombardo, Carlita, and Bakke came to party on July 16. Starting his set around 4 a.m., Green Velvet dropped bangers like Barbee, Jolean, and even a remix of the iconic 1981 track Tainted Love, which had everyone in Club Space grooving. Green Velvet played a euphoric 4-hour set into the early morning hours.

Green plant vines were draped across the ceiling and mixed with neon lights to create a dark, rave jungle environment. People danced atop small platforms in the crowd. Through the chaos of Space, club workers swept brooms and mopped the floors under dancing feet. It certainly was a clean club, but watching these workers make their way through the crowd with brooms, mops, and buckets made me chuckle.

After dancing for 7 blissful hours, I walked down the stairs towards the club exit, where the walls were covered with glowing, psychedelic, rainbow paintings. Blue, neon, honeycomb lights shined bright on the ceiling. Downstairs, people lounged on couches, exhausted from an intense night of dancing. The entry and exit way to the street looked like a subway station, and when I stumbled out of the club, morning light hit my face and sweet, tropical sunshine reminded me exactly where I was—downtown Miami.

What a vibe! Looking to attend an event at Club Space? Check out their website for upcoming events: www.clubspace.com.

Some people avoid bringing camping stoves or coolers and stick to non-perishable snacks. Others choose to buy meals from vendors throughout the weekend. If you enjoy cooking and don’t mind putting in some preparation, you can whip up some delicious meals at your campsite! There are lots of ways to approach food at camping festivals, so here are some tips for packing food at a camping festival to get the most out of both your money and your time.

Calling all chefs!

Do you have a camping stove and enjoy cooking for your festy fam? Here are some ideas for meals and tips for your packing and prep.

Obviously, the better quality cooler you have, the longer your ice will stay. It’s important to keep an eye on your ice to make sure none of your food spoils. Make time to locate the ice vendor and refill your cooler as needed.

Bring plenty of propane if you plan to cook at your campsite. Nothing sucks more than forgetting gas for your stove!

Try to prep as much of your meals as much as you can before you head to the fest. You can cut veggies, pre-cook meat, or even crack eggs into a water bottle to save time and space by getting rid of packaging. These tricks will also help you cut down on garbage, which is especially useful at leave no trace festivals.

Use air-tight containers to store your food in your cooler to avoid any leaking or spilling. Make sure to put condiments in air-tight containers, as well. I’ll never forgive myself for the time my sriracha bottle exploded in my cooler and I accidentally filled my water bottle with spicy ice. Yuck.

Bring a bucket, sponge, and biodegradable dish soap to clean your dishes after meals. Avoiding paper products in your camp kitchen is a great way to be sustainable and environmentally conscious at camping events.

Meal Ideas for Camping Festivals:

Walking tacos - use bags of chips, pre-cooked taco meat, pre-cut toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, and jalapeno.

Breakfast casserole - pre-cook hashbrowns, eggs, bell pepper, jalapeno, onion, and cheese all baked together in a large pan. Slice and heat up on the camp stove.

Veggie stir fry - pre-cut veggies and pre-cook rice. Heat up on the camp stove with soy sauce and seasonings of your choice.

If you don’t have a camping stove, you can come prepared with plenty of food that doesn’t need any heat.

I recommend pickles, deli sandwiches or PB&Js, hard boiled eggs, nuts, chips, fresh fruit, veggies and dip, or pasta salad - my all-time favorite camping festival food! I love bringing pasta salad in my cooler because it’s a hearty meal that doesn’t require any cooking. I use Italian dressing, bell peppers, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, salami, and green onion in mine.

Flying in, not bringing a cooler, or just looking to experience yummy food from a variety of vendors?

Bring plenty of cash and eat onsite! Be sure to look at the food vendors ahead of time if you have any dietary restrictions. Most camping festivals will have some veggie/vegan or gluten-free friendly options for you.

This resort takeover is like no other. Dirtybird CampINN is held at the luxurious Wyndham Orlando Resort. This will be the second edition of the festival, happening over the weekend of February 25-27. Dirtybirds ages 21 and up (bring your ID) are in for all the tropical vibes and tech house they can handle at this weekend-long festival!

Tickets

Weekend pass tickets, which include access to all the events including the pre-party, pool parties, social mixers, after-hours, and the finale event, are going for $300. Weekend passes do not include a hotel room - so look for available room and ticket packages at https://www.homegameauction.com/pages/campinn or keep reading for more info! Weekend passes include re-entry.

For VIP, check out the VIB(ird) ticket upgrade for $200 extra. These tickets include access to an upgraded bird lounge (backstage access, private pool, private bar) during all pool events, featuring loads of activations like complimentary massages, hair braiding, and more! Plus, you’ll get a VIB(ird) welcome bag, Beats and Brunch for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and express entry for all events. You can upgrade to VIB in person at the event.

Some hotel packages are still available - like the Premium King and 2 passes package for $1,500. You’ll get 1 king size bed with a balcony or patio. The Premium Double Bed and 2 passes package is also available for $1,700. You’ll have 2 full beds in this room.

You can arrive early on Thursday or check out late for additional costs. Thursday early entry is $250 per room and covers all guests in your room! Early arrivals will enjoy special performances at the Thursday night pre-party. Sleep in and stay late for $250 per room - covering all guests in the room.

What to Expect

Check in and pick up your wristbands at the Box Office out front of the resort. Bring your ID and credit card with you to check in.

From the Birdbath Stage, to the Lava Lab, Flipside Stage, and Claude’s Cove - you’ll be shaking your tail feathers all day and all night! Buckle up for daytime pool parties, late night renegade sets, and plenty of after hours fun.

Plus, indulge your competitive side by playing games with the Flamingo Fam, Gator Gang, and Scuba Squad. You can choose your team when you check into the resort!

This year’s stacked lineup includes Claude Vonstroke, along with Chromeo (DJ set), Eprom, Ivy Lab, Walker & Royce, and many, many more!

Make sure to pack plenty of bathing suits and costumes to keep you looking fly all weekend long. Throw some inflatable pool floats in your suitcase, along with some fun decorations to dress up your hotel room door.

Stay tuned to hear about the different theme nights so you can plan your outfits accordingly.

Don’t Forget to Pack…

• Pool towels
• Sunglasses
• Flip flops
• Sunscreen
• Pumps to inflate your pool floats
• Totems or flags to rep your squad
• Disposable underwater camera
• Earplugs and eye mask (if you plan to get some shut eye)
• Hats to shade you from the Florida sunshine
• Snacks for your hotel room - each resort room comes with a mini fridge you can stock up!

Getting There

The Wyndham Orlando Resort is located at 8001 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819. Flying in with your flock? You can fly into Orlando International Airport and Uber from there to the resort. It’s about a 20 minute drive.

Not staying on-site at the resort? There are many hotel options near the Orlando Airport and close to the Wyndham Resort. Airbnbs may be available, as well.

See below for the festival hours and plan to travel safely to and from your hotel or Airbnb.

Thursday: 10 PM - 3 AM

Friday: 12 PM - 5 AM

Saturday: 12 PM - 5 AM

Sunday: 12 PM - 5 AM

COVID-19 Info

The event will be following all local and state protocols and if there are any changes, attendees will be notified by email.

A note on sustainable gifting:

Try to give gifts that won’t end up on the floor or in the trash. Yes, we all love glow sticks. But, they aren’t really the type of gift that would make it home with you after the event. Be thoughtful and intentional with your gifts to avoid unnecessary waste. Is this something someone can reuse? Is it sentimental? Will it make them smile?

Here are some gifting ideas to inspire you for your next festival:

Necklaces and bracelets - you can make kandi (to trade or gift), or try your hand at jewelry making with other types of beads and charms. Bonus points if it has something that lights up! Kandi perlers are always meaningful gifts because they take time and creativity to make.

Pins or patches

Flower crowns

Pendants

3D printed trinkets - pendants, rings, jewelry, figurines, etc.

Lanyards for keys - you can get these printed with custom designs for specific events!

Stickers

Mini flashlights - look for the UV blacklight ones!

If you have a polaroid camera, offer to snap a photo for someone and give them the polaroid to take home.

Lollipops or Jolly Ranchers - individually wrapped candies are best.

Chapstick

Tiny hands - if you know, you know.

Koozies

Diffraction glasses - paper ones are a more affordable option.

Temporary tattoos - offer to apply them for someone to avoid trash on the ground.

Bubble wands

Containers for cigarette butts - I’ve seen people transform old Altoids or Icebreakers containers for this. Keep litter off the ground!

Condoms

Mini water guns

Earplugs

Muscle soreness at festivals is incredibly common, especially at multi-day camping fests where you have to live without the comfort of your Tempur-Pedic mattress. If you’re the type of person who wakes up on day 3 in excruciating pain, try these tips to prevent body aches.

Before the festival:

In our home lives, many of us work desk jobs and live inactive lifestyles. If you want to avoid physical aches during a festival, try preparing your body leading up to the event.

You’d be surprised at how much physical activity you’ll do at the festival! From walks to and from camp, to adventures around the grounds, to long days and sleepless nights of non-stop dancing - your body probably isn’t used to this level of exertion! If possible, try “training” yourself by taking long, daily walks.

This will also help you determine if you have the right shoes to keep your feet from hurting at the festival. Test out your footwear to make sure you’ll have proper support, so you’ll be pain-free and ready to dance all night long!

Before the fest, you can also prepare your sleeping arrangements to minimize body aches. Figure out if you’re most comfortable in a camping cot with a mattress pad, an air mattress, or even a hammock - everyone is different!

At the festival:

Be mindful of any pre-existing injuries you may have throughout the festival. Take note of where the medic tent is located in case you experience a flair-up.

When you’re setting up camp, be careful lifting heavy things and ask for help if you need it.

It’s crucial to stay hydrated to avoid muscle cramps and potential injuries. Try carrying a water bottle or bringing a hydration pack into the crowd. Remember, your body will need extra water if you’re in hot weather, drinking alcohol, or exerting a lot of energy on the dance floor.

It’s also important to take time to stretch before heading to your favorite sets. You can organize a group yoga sesh with your campmates, or just take some time for yourself and stretch your body. Some festivals will have massage therapists or yoga classes on site, so look into your options. If you have a foam roller or massage gun, your body will thank you!

Rest between sets. If you’re standing and dancing the entire weekend, you will definitely feel some soreness by the end of the festival. Find a comfortable place to sit down and rest your body whenever possible.

After the festival:

Continue to hydrate and stretch after you get home, plus, eat well and get plenty of rest!

What does it mean to leave no trace?

Leave no trace refers to the idea that you bring everything home with you that you brought to the event — right down to each individual piece of glitter. Pack in, pack out. This way, we stay aware of our effect on the land and rave with awareness of our environmental impacts. Conscious event-goers leave the land in beautiful shape.

Why is this important?

Ravers must develop a sense of personal responsibility when it comes to cleaning up after themselves. There are obvious consequences to leaving trash behind. Aside from hurting Mother Earth, festival producers are less likely to bring an event back if attendees don’t take care of the grounds.

Personally, I’ve witnessed a few local, outdoor events get shut down because ravers did not take care of the land. How embarrassing! When you leave no trace, you prove that you can handle the responsibility of attending an outdoor event—not only by picking up after yourself, but also by leaving the area in better shape than when you arrived. If you want to continue to attend awesome events, integrate these leave no trace practices into your festival lifestyle.

What you can do:

• Create a sustainability plan with your festy squad and act on it. Make sure everyone in your camp understands the process. Act with intention and diligence.
• Start by minimizing the amount of potential trash you’re bringing, from the beginning. This starts in the supermarket. Avoid unnecessary packaging, plastic water bottles, paper plates, plastic cups and cutlery, etc.
• Avoid all plastic and paper in your camp kitchen. Yes, paper plates and solo cups can be convenient. But, they are horrible for the environment! Invest in reusable plates, cups, silverware, and cooking utensils. Bring a bucket, sponge, and biodegradable dish soap to wash dishes at your camp. Ditch the water bottles for large jugs and refill a reusable water bottle. You’ll be surprised at how much trash you save by eliminating plastic and paper in your camp kitchen!
• Cut down on pre-festival Amazon purchases and bringing any unnecessary gear that could go to waste. When you pack with purpose, you channel a sustainability mindset.
• Bring a separate (different colored) trash bag for recyclables.
• Camping festivals will have a special area to drop recyclables vs. trash. Collect beer cans and bottles separate from your main trash disposal. Be diligent! If you see a friend putting a beer can in the main trash, ask them politely to use the proper disposal. Some events even offer prizes for collecting bags of recyclables!
• If the festival is in a state that gives a cash refund on cans, consider donating your extra cans to an unhoused person, or donating the money from the cans to a local charity or shelter.
• Bring some trash bags and take 30 minutes each day to collect everything you see. Encourage your festy fam to do the same.
• Try a “line sweep” - scan the area with a group of friends, standing about an arms’ distance apart and moving forward. You can bring reusable gloves or a trash grabber if you’re not comfortable picking things up with your hands.
• Recognize the different types of litter you’ll see at an event. If you see something on the ground, take the 5 seconds and pick it up in the moment! If there isn’t a nearby trash or recycling can, stick the trash in your pocket or backpack until you can find a receptacle.

Some types of litter you should look out for include:

• Tent stakes and abandoned camping gear
• Cigarette butts
• Glass like beer bottles
• Plastic like packaging, baggies, duct tape, empty water jugs and bottles, glow sticks
• Metal like bottle caps, nails, or screws
• Costume pieces like glitter, sequins, feathers, and jewelry

This list is just a starting point.

Remember that adopting a sustainable approach at festivals isn’t easy. You may develop your own tips and tricks that help your camp stay on top of it - and that’s okay! See what works for you and your squad. The most important thing is that you make a conscious effort to leave the grounds in better shape than when you found them. Mother Earth (and the festival producers) will thank you.

I recommend doing an “audit” of your personal festy practices to identify the areas where you can reduce your environmental impact. Implement some changes at your next event, then do another check-in to see where you can improve. This is an ongoing process - and it takes each and every one of us to truly leave no trace!

If you’ve never dipped your toes into the world of flow before, it may seem intimidating to start. Here are some ideas for how to find your flow.

Listen to your heart.

What prop are you drawn to? There’s so many to choose from, so look around and see which one calls to you. For me, personally, I fell in love with levitation wand and bought a cheap one to see how I liked it. Many years later, I now do fire levitation wand and double wands! Pick something that strikes your interest and stick with it. Here is a list of some types of flow props for you to look into.
Staff, hoop, double hoop, poi, double staff, levitation wand, gloves, whip, orbit, kendama, yoyo… the list goes on and on!

Get inspired

Either at your next rave or festival, or take a look online. Instagram has a huge flow artist community, so there’s lots of inspiration out there. Connect with other flow artists in your area to bounce ideas off of or meet up. You can make lots of great new friends or just learn some new tricks!

Once you decide which prop you’d like to try, I suggest getting an affordable one to start. See how you like it and whether you see yourself sticking with it. Maybe, you can invest in a nicer prop once you find one that resonates with you. There are some LED flow toys that range upwards of $1,000, using smart technology that allows you to import custom images. I would definitely not recommend these super fancy props for a first timer. However, once you commit to a prop, look for a nicer one that’s made for durability, LED brightness, and a size and weight you like.

You can shop flow toys at our sister store, Emazing Lights, for one of the best selections of flow toys in the rave industry.

Think about your learning style.

For me, there are two main ways to go about learning a new flow toy. There are tons of tutorials to help you learn various tricks on YouTube, ranging from beginner to advanced. Learning concepts like flowers, anti-spins, and more will help you tackle different tricks.

Personally, I’m not the best at learning from YouTube. Seeing difficult tricks effortlessly pulled off can discourage and frustrate me - especially if I’m just starting to learn a new prop. Put your expectations aside and just do it! Yes, it’s easier said than done. But, you will develop your own, unique style that’s different from anyone else! Putting on your favorite music and getting lost in it will help you connect with your flow toy on a whole new level.

It can be hard not to judge yourself when you’re first starting out. But, no one becomes good at something overnight! Practice, play, and try to find that “flow zone” - when you get lost in the moment and nothing else matters. This state of mind can even help release feelings of anxiety!

One of the coolest aspects about flow arts is the community. Connecting with other people at raves and festivals who also flow is such a great feeling because you can trade advice and tricks, and get inspired by seeing other people’s styles. Look to see if there’s a flow community in your city, too. Where I live, I’m lucky to have lots of weekly events where flow artists gather. It’s great to get involved with this community to expand my knowledge and meet like-minded people.

Happy flowing!

No matter what part of the festival triggers your anxiety, know that you’re not alone! Experiencing festival anxiety is incredibly common, especially if you’re prone to anxiety in day-to-day life. The good news is, you can cope with these difficult emotions by trying these tips and tricks.

Prep Your Mind and Body

In the weeks leading up to the festival, be sure to eat well, drink plenty of water, and take vitamins. You may experience more anxiety if you’re not taking proper care of yourself.

Practice Coping Techniques

Try a few techniques to calm yourself down and practice the ones you like. If you start to feel anxious, you can use these techniques to center yourself. 

You can try breath work like square breathing, where you inhale for 4 seconds, hold it for 4 seconds, and exhale for 4 seconds. 

You can also try grounding yourself by engaging your senses with the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 method. Name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.

Come Prepared

It can give you peace of mind to have some comfort items with you at the festival. You might like to hide behind a pair of sunglasses or drape a pashmina over your head. You can also come prepared with earplugs or a fidget toy to help calm your senses. Depending on the event, you may be able to bring in essential oils, which can work wonders for self soothing.

If you’re camping, try packing your gear well in advance to avoid any stress about forgetting things. If you rush your packing process, you might experience more anxiety - so do yourself a favor and start pulling out your gear early. Also, check out this list of packing essentials for camping festivals to make sure you're more than prepared.

Have Back-up Plans

Creating a plan with your group will help ease anxiety about getting lost. Choose an easy meeting spot and plan to check in at certain times, in case you do get separated. It’s a good idea to have at least one buddy if you need to leave the group to get water or use the bathroom.

Stay Hydrated & Fed

Sometimes your physical health directly effects your mental health. Make sure that you're staying hydrated throughout the festival, and don't go hungry for too long. You're burning a lot of energy walking around the festival grounds and dancing, so take care of yourself like the badass festival athlete that you are.

Advocate for Yourself

It’s important that you go to the festival with people you can trust. Get comfortable asking for what you need and don’t be afraid to reach out for support when you need it. Maybe you can come up with a code word for if you need to leave a crowd. Or, if physical touch soothes you, ask your friends to hold your hand or hug you. If you need to leave the stage, get water, or simply sit down for a second, vocalize your needs so your friends can help. For this reason, don't be afraid to be selective about who you go to a festival with. Your rave fam should support you and make you feel safe.

In an Emergency

Don't be afraid to get medical care if you need it. Medical care at most festivals is free, and attendees are encouraged to get help when they need it regardless of if they're under the influence. Medical professionals are there to keep you safe and healthy, and can either help you in a mental health crisis or find a way for you to get help from someone better prepared. For EDC Las Vegas, Insomniac has health and safety information posted here.

Remember that it’s completely normal to experience pre-festival jitters. But, if your anxiety is negatively impacting you before a festival, try these tricks and see if they help. Trust that you will enjoy yourself, knowing you’ve done the preparation to set yourself up for success. Many of us get overwhelmed before an event and lose sight of the reasons why we love raving in the first place. The music, community, and good vibes make it all worth it.

This article is not meant to replace professional help. If you or someone you know is struggling, we strongly encourage you to seek help from your primary care provider or a mental health professional. You can also reach out to the Crisis Text Line via text or Facebook message by texting 'HOME' to 741741, or check out this list of resources for other types of support.

For a guide on what to wear to Lost Lands, check out our blog post here.

Essential Camping Gear

• Tent - with tarp, rainfly, tent stakes, mallet
• Pillow and blanket
• Camping chair
• Trash bags - leave no trace!
• Pro tip: bring carabiner clips to clip your trash bag to your pop-up canopy or tent
• Cooler with ice and food
• Water - at least 1 gallon per person per day
• Battery powered lantern and flashlight - with extra batteries
• First aid kit - make sure it’s fully stocked before you leave!
• Advil, alcohol wipes, band-aids and sterile gauze/medical tape, antibiotic ointment, tweezers, etc.
• Toilet paper
• Duct tape - comes in handy, trust me!
• Camping knife and scissors
• Towels - bring a few

Non-essential Camping Gear

• Camping cot or blow up mattress
• Pop-up canopy - with canopy stakes, mallet
• Folding table
• Camp kitchen - camp stove with propane, reusable plates, cups, silverware, tongs and cooking utensils, non-stick spray, pot/pan, condiments like salt, pepper, hot sauce, ketchup, mustard
• Don’t forget your biodegradable dish soap and sponge with a bucket and rags for dishwashing
• Tapestries and battery powered lights for campsite - bring clothespins to hang them
• Door mat for outside your tent
• Speaker for the campsite

Outfits & Personal Gear

• Outfit for each day with socks, shoes, panties - warm options if it gets chilly
• Jewelry, accessories, hats, bandanas/face masks
• Reusable water bottle
• ID and money - in a safe place like a fanny pack or small backpack
• Personal prescriptions/birth control
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Deodorant
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Hairbrush and hair ties
• Tampons - just in case
• Wet wipes - thank me later!
• Ear plugs
• Shower supplies - body wash, shampoo, conditioner and slides/flip flops to shower in
• Sunglasses

Extras

• Handheld mirror
• Makeup, face gems
• Kandi to trade
• Flow toys
• Kaleidoscope glasses
• Incense
• Yoga mat
• Chapstick
• Boom Boom sticks