Deciding on your next festival adventure? North America boasts some of the world's most iconic festivals, each offering a unique vibe and experience.
There are of course many great ones to choose from! In this blog, we picked 3 different festivals that are quite different from each other (in size, vibe, music, outfit), so that you choose the one that is the right fit for you!
1. Burning Man
Location: Nevada Desert
Date: Late August
Number of Attendees: 70,000 - 100,000
General Vibe: Apocalyptic , Mad Max, Desert Style
Why Burning Man?
This is one of the wildest places you can go to. We are speaking from personal experience. Epic Art installation, Massive “Mutant” Art Cars,
Burning Man is really not a “festival”. It is so much more than that. It is an epic event, a community, co-created by the people, based on their 10 principles.
Burning Man is more than a festival; it's a community-driven event that emphasizes radical self-expression, self-reliance, and art in a temporary city set in the desert.
How Much It Costs
Ticket prices generally start around $400, but total expenses can reach into the thousands when considering travel, supplies, and camp contributions.
Type of Music
Burning Man doesn’t focus on specific music genres; instead, it offers an eclectic mix, from electronic to rock, world music, and experimental performances across various camps.
Outfit Ideas
Think avant-garde, post-apocalyptic, and wildly expressive. Outfits range from custom-made artistic creations to functional, yet funky desert gear, incorporating goggles, dust masks, and layered clothing.
Check out our exclusive Dusty Burners Collection, specifically designed for Burners!
Also, stay tuned for our upcoming article on “The Ultimate Guide for Burning Man”.
2. Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC)
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Date: May 17 - 19, 2024
Number of Attendees: 400,000 across the event
General Vibe: Vibrant, Euphoric, Dynamic, Festive
Why EDC?
EDC stands out for its massive scale, spectacular stage designs, world-class DJ lineups, and immersive rave experience with full-scale carnival rides and art installations.
How Much It Costs
General admission tickets start around $400, with VIP options costing significantly more, excluding travel and accommodation.
Type of Music
EDC is a haven for EDM lovers, featuring a wide array of genres like house, techno, dubstep, drum and bass, and trance.
Outfit Ideas
Rave-centric, neon, and glittery attire dominate, with attendees often wearing light-up accessories, colorful costumes, and comfortable dancing shoes.
Our recommended Collections:
3. Shambhala Music Festival
Location: Salmo River, British Columbia, Canada
Date: July 26 - 29, 2024
Number of Attendees: 20,000
General Vibe: Down-to-Earth, Magical Forest, Spiritual, Bohemian
Why Shambhala?
Believe it out not, Shambhala was voted as the ‘Best Festival in North America’ in the DJ Mag Best of North America Awards 2023.
If big festivals like EDC and Burning Man feel overwhelming, and you want a more down-to-earth vibe, the Shambhala is for you.
Shambhala is known for its intimate setting, stunning natural environment, commitment to sustainability, and a strong sense of community, offering a more personal and down-to-earth experience.
And don’t get us wrong. Shambhala is not a “small” and casual festival.
The production value is still very high quality, and the stages are beautiful and epic!
How Much It Costs
Tickets are around $300-$400, plus the cost of travel and camping supplies.
Type of Music
Shambhala features a diverse electronic music lineup, with stages dedicated to various genres like dubstep, house, techno, and glitch-hop.
Outfit Ideas
Festival-goers at Shambhala lean towards bohemian, earthy, and eclectic styles, with many opting for comfortable, dance-friendly attire that reflects the festival’s nature-oriented and inclusive ethos.
Here's our Bohemian Collection that will go perfectly with the vibe, as well as our Handfan Collection!
Conclusion
All 3 of these festivals have such different vibes, so the choice ultimately comes down to the kind of vibe that you prefer, as well as other factors such location and budget!
Burning Man is wild and crazy, EDC is colorful and epic, and Shambhala is earthy and beautiful.
Wishing you a lovely, fun, and safe festival journey in 2024!