Festival 101: What To Know Before Going To EDC
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Planning a trip to the Electric Daisy Carnival? These are the top 8 things to know before going to EDC and spending a weekend under the electric sky.
I have been to EDC in Las Vegas three times now, so I have my routine down by now! I wanted to share the wealth of my EDC knowledge with you (because I’m so nice) and made a list of things you need to know if you plan on attending the festival. Luckily, I went with a big group my first year, with people that had been previous years and were able to share some tips to make the trip go smoothly. Below are my top tips to ensure you have a great time under the electric sky!
This post is all about what to know before going to EDC.
Watch my vlogs of my previous EDC trips to see what the festival is like!
Screenshot the Map and Set Times
I cannot stress how important this is, hence why I put it first! This is a massive festival with thousands and thousands of people which means cell service is not going to be great. Do not rely on using data to access your Insomniac App.
Before each day make sure you, and everyone in your group, have a picture of the map as well as all the set times (to avoid confusion, I only had the set times for that same day of the festival) to make sure you can get to where you need to go and see who you want to see.
Camp or Stay in a Hotel + Shuttle Pass
In case you didn’t know, EDC is held at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway which is about an hour from the Strip. This makes getting to and leaving the festival a bit difficult; which is why everyone really recommends camping because you are so close to the festival and you have the easiest access. I know it’s expensive but, specifically, RV camping is the way to go. The weather can be BRUTAL and the campgrounds can be super loud so having an air conditioned sanctuary to sneak off to at the festival is crucial.
I, personally, am not a camper so if you are like me… getting a hotel and shuttle pass is the next best option. I haven’t experienced this first hand but, I have heard Ubering or driving to the festival is an absolute nightmare and something to avoid at all costs. There are multiple shuttle stops along the Strip so be sure you pick one close to your hotel so you can walk to and from the stop each day. Another bonus to taking the shuttle is you go through security before getting on the bus so you don’t have to wait in line when you arrive at the venue.
if you’re in a group, bring a totem
As I mentioned above, this is a MASSIVE festival and the crowds are huge so if you are going in a big group make sure someone brings a totem. This made meeting back up with our group so much easier because we were able to see where they were from afar. Bonus Tip: if you can, add some sort of light to it - all the better!
Check out the Rainbow bazaar for merchandise
We stumbled upon the cutest little shopping area by accident. During my first EDC, I was on a mission to buy a pashmina and none of the official merchandise shops sold them, so we asked someone from security and they mentioned there was a small pop-up shopping area around the corner. Although it was not official EDC merch, they had some really cool stuff and a ton of booths to go check out so I would recommend giving this place a look if you want some kind of souvenir.
have a meeting spot
Whether you have a totem or not, always have a designated meeting spot. The first thing you should do when you get to the festival is pick a spot that is central and easy to find so you can link back up with your group before a set or after a bathroom break. This will also help if you have a friend that has a lost or dead phone.
Go to the mini bar.
No further explanation is needed. See for yourself…
*2024 Update: It has come to my attention that the mini bar has not been at the past few EDC’s which is a CRIME! However, if they bring it back one day, definitely check it out.
bring a portable charger
This is pretty self-explanatory but often forgotten about. I swear that one hour in festival time is like 3 hours in regular time - these nights are LONG and you are going to need your phone. Whether it’s for staying in contact with your friends, taking photos, using it for a flashlight, or taking videos of your favorite sets, your phone is a necessity so you don’t want your battery to be dying halfway through the night. A portable battery will honestly be a lifesaver but make sure you recharge it before each night!
This is my personal favorite portal charger and the I swear by! It has multiple different cords attached to it so you can share and use it with any type of phone. Click Here To Shop It On Amazon.
bring something to keep you warm
The weather in the desert is so unpredictable which makes planning outfits a nightmare. I have been years where it was 85 degrees all night and when it was windy and freezing. With all the lights and the crowds of people it can get hot but walking from stage to stage or leaving the festival can be pretty cold. Bringing a pair of leggings or even a pashmina will make a huge difference because it’s hard to have fun when you’re freezing your ass off!
( Related Video: What I’m Wearing to EDC | EDC Haul )
This post was all about what to know before attending EDC.
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