LOS ANGELES, CA- Get ready for a weekend of spine-tingling beats and bone-rattling bass drops at the largest Halloween EDM festival in the U.S. Escape Halloween, hosted by Insomniac Events, is back on October 25th and 26th at the National Orange Show Event Center in San Bernardino, California. Whether you’re an EDM fanatic or a first-time raver, we’ve conjured up the perfect guide to ensure your festival experience is anything but a nightmare.
FESTIVAL ATMOSPHERE
What to Expect:
This festival promises more than just beats—it’s a full-blown, immersive experience. With headlining acts like Alison Wonderland, Steve Aoki, and Joshua De La Cruz, you can expect heart-pounding sets that’ll raise the dead—or at least get them dancing. The bass drops are deep enough to shake the skeletons out of your closet, while the lights and lasers will leave you spellbound.
Of course, you won’t be the only creature on the dance floor. Expect to see elaborate costumes, spooky performances, and freaky art installations all around. From Crazy Town to Voodoo Ville, Escape Halloween creates a world where the creepy and the creative collide. Rave skeletons, zombie pirates, and devilish clowns will all be lurking in the crowd, and if you’re not in costume, you might feel like the only mortal left alive!
PACKING ESSENTIALS
Clothing:
Don’t just come dressed for a rave—come dressed for the underworld! Build a Halloween rave outfit that’s as comfortable as it is creepy. The key here is comfort: you’ll be dancing like a bat out of hell, so opt for something flexible and durable, especially when it comes to your footwear. Throw in a light jacket for those bone-chilling October nights in San Bernardino, but remember: things will heat up fast in the crowd.
Costume ideas? Think of characters that will haunt the dance floor—Beetlejuice, Joker and Harley Quinn, or even something out of a music video like Sabrina Carpenter’s iconic look from *TASTE*. Don’t forget to accessorize with fun, colored lenses that turn those lasers into a kaleidoscope of chaos.
Hydration:
If there’s one survival tip you take away from this guide, let it be this: bring a CamelBak. These enchanted backpacks will keep you dancing into the afterlife with a steady stream of water. Escape Halloween allows both clear and non-clear hydration packs, as long as they’re empty when you enter. Once inside, you can refill at the water stations.
Extras:
– Earplugs: Protect your ears from the loud music.
– Wet Wipes: Trust me, those porta-potties can be a horror show. You’ll thank yourself later.
– Totems: Whether it’s a light-up skeleton hand or a glowing witch’s broom, festival totems not only help you vibe with the spooky atmosphere—they’ll help your crew find you in the crowd. See Escape Halloween’s totem policy guidelines [here].
– Power Bank: Your phone’s battery will be as fleeting as a ghost. Pack a power bank to keep your device alive and ready for capturing all the haunted memories.
If you happen to forget anything, Escape Halloween has a general store with all the basic items you need to have a terrifying evening. A full list of everything allowed at Escape Halloween can be found [here].
SURVIVAL TIPS FOR THE FESTIVAL GROUNDS
Food & Drinks:
Hungry after dancing with demons? Escape Halloween has you covered with food and drink vendors that serve up everything from snacks to cocktails. With Bacardi, Beatbox, and Four Loco sponsoring the event, those 21+ will have their pick of spooky spirits. Beware, though—you might accidentally stumble upon a vendor offering “food from the underworld” (brains, eyeballs, anyone?).
Remember, it’s a cashless event, so bring your debit, credit, or digital payment methods. No ancient gold coins needed here.
Meeting Points:
Amid the madness, it’s easy to lose your group. Set up a meeting point before you get lost in the fog—think easily recognizable landmarks like the info booths or spooky trees near the main stages. And whatever you do, don’t leave your group hanging, or they might think you’ve been abducted by one of the festival’s ghouls!
ESCAPE HALLOWEEN SPECIFICS
Themed Zones & Attractions:
Escape Halloween isn’t just about the music—it’s a haunted carnival of horrors. You’ll encounter freak shows, haunted mazes, and an eerie cast of characters lurking in every corner. In Crazy Town, you can grab a drink or witness something truly out of this world at the Fire Organ.
Keep your eyes peeled for the Escape Halloween Troupe: the Red Ringmaster, who commands an undead circus, watches over his minions—Stitches the Clown, The Witch Doctor, and Arson Annie. You never know who—or what—might be lurking around the corner, ready to make you part of their next act!
Final Notes:
Escape Halloween is an unforgettable descent into an electrified netherworld of sound, spectacle, and spine-tingling fun. With these tips in hand, you’ll navigate the festival like a seasoned witch or warlock—ready to dance, hydrate, and haunt the dance floor all night long.
Stay spooky, stay safe, and don’t let the ghouls get you!
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