It’s that time of year again – the weather is getting colder, the leaves are changing, and the ravers are coming out of the shadows for their final festivals before retreating into hibernation. Leave your pumpkin spice lattes and Uggs at home, ladies and gentlemen, because it’s about to get hectic.
Suwannee Hulaween (Oct. 24 – 27)
Live Oak, FL
After much uncertainty about the fate of Hulaween after last year’s financial fiasco, the festival has reclaimed its spot as one of the most highly anticipated Halloweekend events. This 4-day camping festival has a loyal fan base with a love so strong that they camp out as early as Tuesday to snag a prime site. Hulaween returns with the beloved String Cheese Incident and Bassnectar, and welcomes newcomers like Whethan and Whipped Cream to the family. Be sure to check out the breathtaking light show over Spirit Lake, grab a wonderfully gooey grilled cheese from the Grilled Cheese Incident, and revel in the magical art installations scattered in the most surprising of places. You’ll find yourself exploring every inch of the grounds, and if you’re lucky enough, you’ll stumble onto the Bat House at the perfect time.
Voodoo Music + Arts Experience (Oct. 25 – 27)
New Orleans, LA
A self-proclaimed “musical gumbo”, Voodoo is the perfect blend of music, food, art, and of course, the people. Performances range all over the musical spectrum from Guns N’ Roses and Post Malone to Elohim and Zhu. You can stroll through the famous Market Place between sets to browse handcrafted goods or complete your outfit with some glitter and flash tattoos. The famous New Orleans passion for flavor is evident in the amazing selection of festival food – grab a fried duck quesadilla before heading back into the crowd. Take advantage of the incredible city and continue the party late into the night with a stroll (or stumble) down Bourbon Street.
Escape: Psycho Circus (Oct. 25 – 26)
San Bernardino, CA
As if clowns couldn’t get any scarier, Escape cranks up the creep factor with its Psycho Circus. From the Slaughterhouse to the Cannibals’ Tea Party, Insomniac delivers its classic high caliber production and spine-chilling stages. Get spooky with some OGs, like Headhunterz and Deadmau5, before you let San Holo and Said The Sky soothe your soul. You might not get much trick-or-treating done, but you can’t leave without a visit the Haunted House. Want to go international with this fright night? You can find Escape in Seoul, South Korea as well!
Check out these other festivals across the nation:
- Nightmare Festival (Oct. 19 – 20)
Washington DC - Wynwood Fear Factory (Oct. 25)
Miami, FL - Warehouse of Horrors (Oct. 25 – 26)
New York, NY - Get Freaky (Oct. 25 – 26)
Salt Lake City, UT - Supernatural (Oct. 26)
Denver, CO - Freaky Deaky (Oct. 26 – 27)
Baytown, TX - HARD Day of the Dead (Nov. 2)
Los Angeles, CA
