Rise Festival: Need to Know (insider tips & video)

If you’ve heard about a weird, beautiful, emotional desert gathering just outside Las Vegas, you’re probably thinking of Rise Festival—a mashup of music, art, and lights…lots of lights. In 2025, the festival marked its 10th anniversary at the Jean Dry Lake Bed, about 20–25 miles south of the Las Vegas Strip.

Here’s your full guide to the Rise Festival need-to-know experience—tickets and packages, parking and transport, what’s included (and what’s not), live acts, what to wear and bring, and even pros/cons of going Day 1 vs Day 3.

What Is Rise Festival, Really?

Rise is built around three phases of experience based on location at the Jean Dry Lake Bed, just 25 minutes south of the Las Vegas Strip: The Path, The Compass, and The Horizon.

The Path is your entry into the mindset—walking through sculptural art installations, soaking in desert vistas, and pausing in meditation zones or “halos.”
The Compass is where reflection and ceremony happen. This is where the nightly Sky Lantern Ceremony happens (usually ~7 pm), where everyone lights and releases lanterns skyward. The definite highlight of the night.
The Horizon is the dance/music stage where the bigger, higher-energy sets happen with the event headliners.

It’s not a typical concert – it’s a ritual, spectacle, and party all wrapped into one.

Rise Festival Tickets & Packages: What You Get

Rise offers multiple ticket tiers (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond) tailored for different levels of access and comfort.

Here’s a breakdown based on current published info:

Note: ** All guests are provided with a seat cushion, two lanterns, and a marker to write on the lantern. The lanterns are very fragile, so I am pretty sure that is why each guest gets 2.

Tier	Typical Perks / Upgrades (vs baseline)
Silver	Entry to the festival, two sky lanterns, access to both music stages, art installations, unlimited water refills, a personal desert cushion (for seating), access to meditation zones.
Gold	All Silver perks + expedited entry / fast track, access to Desert Club lounge, VIP restrooms.
Platinum	Adds private retreats, VIP viewing terraces, more elevated access, complimentary food and drinks (even alcoholic beverages are included).
Diamond	Top-tier luxury—private lounges, the best Horizon stage viewing areas, and the best of the amenities (including food and alcoholic beverages)

Prices vary by night and tier. For example, for Sunday in 2025, the Silver package was around $189, Gold ~$269, Platinum ~$489. Events for Saturday, Silver ~$239, Gold ~$289, Platinum ~$489, Diamond ~$989.

Note: Tickets sometimes sell out per night as well, so check availability.

Which Rise Festival Ticket Package Is Right for You?

Choosing the right Rise Festival package really depends on how you like to experience events. If you’re attending mainly for the lantern release and live music, the Silver package offers everything you need — general admission, two lanterns, and access to all stages and art zones at the most affordable price. If comfort and convenience matter more, the Gold package is worth the upgrade for faster entry and VIP restrooms. For those who want a more elevated, relaxed vibe with great views and lounge access, the Platinum tier delivers premium amenities and fewer crowds. We had platinum when we went, and it really made the event more comfortable and relaxing. Finally, if you are all about luxury, seamless service, and exclusive spaces, go for the Diamond package — it’s the ultimate VIP experience.

In short: Silver for simplicity, Gold for comfort, Platinum for premium perks, and Diamond for full-on indulgence.

What isn’t included/added costs

Food & drink (beyond water refills) are extra for those with silver and gold access.
Extra lanterns: you get two, but you may be able to purchase extras at merch tents while supplies last.
Parking pass or shuttle/coach (more on that below).
Merch (tees, hats, etc.) is extra.
Other personal gear (shade tents, battery packs, etc.) you bring yourself.

Rise Festival: Transport & Parking

Because the festival sits in a remote desert area, logistics are key.

Onsite parking

When buying your ticket, you can add a parking pass.
No in-and-out privileges. Once your vehicle is parked, it must stay until you leave.
Private vehicles, limos, or buses must have a large vehicle parking pass, and drivers must stay onsite until departure.
RVs and trailers are not allowed. This isn’t Coachella!
ADA parking is available in designated zones (with valid placard).

Pricing for parking in past/future editions has been ~$30 (for general parking) Some VIP parking options cost more (e.g. $89).

Shuttle/coach option

If you prefer not to drive, Rise offers motor coach passes (round-trip) from select hotels: MGM Grand, Resorts World, South Point.

Shuttle schedule is roughly:

Departures: ~2:30 pm to ~6:00 pm
Returns: ~8:30 pm to ~12:30 am

Because Ubers, Lyfts, or rideshares are not allowed into the festival site (due to remote location, logistics, safety), you’ll need to rely on these official options.

Parking Tip: Be sure to bring a vehicle with higher clearance (SUVs are preferred). Depending on the weather (wind or rain), it can get muddy out there, and even when it’s dry, smaller, rear-wheel drive vehicles can get high-centered and stuck in the loose sand.

Live Performances & Atmosphere

The 2025 lineup was ambitious. The headliners over the three nights were RÜFÜS DU SOL, Calvin Harris, and John Mayer. I went to the John Mayer night and it was so delightful. Such a great way to end the weekend. He sounded amazing live!

Other acts included Ben Böhmer, LP Giobbi, Elderbrook, Disclosure, Patrick Watson, Forester, and more.

Each evening tends to follow this general timeline:

Afternoon / early evening: immersive art, ambient or downtempo sets, The Path wandering.
~6–7 pm: lantern release ceremony at the Compass stage. The best part of the night! Don’t be late!
After lantern release: headliner and dance acts on the Horizon stage, when energy ramps up.
The night closes under stars, with big production, light design, visuals, fireworks etc.

Because there are two main music stages (Compass, Horizon) and moments of “pause” (the ceremony), the experience has emotional breathing room—it’s not just non-stop dance music.

Art installations, meditative zones, sculptural works, and “halos” are interspersed across the grounds to balance intensity with reflection.

If you’re there for more than just the headliners, plan to wander, rest, and drink it in.

Rise Festival: What to Wear & What to Bring

What to wear

Layered, lightweight clothing — desert days can be warm, nights may cool off. I got into the mid 60’s the night I was there. Be prepared for your clothes to be dusty and dirty.
Comfortable shoes— you’ll walk on sand, dust, dry terrain.
Hat / brim / sunglasses for the sun earlier in the day.
Bandana / dust mask / scarf helps with dust, dirt, wind. Even if the weather is ideal, lots of cars and movement can still cause the dust to kick up.
Light jacket or hoodie for evening temperature drop.
Glow / LED / light-up accessories — optional, but fun in the dark setting.
Small bag or fanny pack to carry the essentials. Bags need to be clear if over a certain size. Check with Rise Festival for their official bag policy.

What to bring

Here’s a suggested checklist:

Valid ID/festival pass (ticket/parking pass needs to be printed or take a screenshot before heading out of cell service).
Portable phone battery/power bank (you’ll want to stay charged and won’t have very good reception out there, which can drain battery more)
Water bottle, though there are free refill stations (but carrying your own is smart). I like collapsible water pouches that hook onto my bag.
Snacks (non-perishable, energy bars, etc. may be allowed in small quantities).
Sunscreen, lip balm (desert sun is strong).
Earplugs (for late-night sets or if you are sensitive to loud music).
Extra lanterns (if available) or markers for your lanterns.
Camera or smartphone, though note that some large professional gear may be restricted.
Cash or card (for merch, food, extras).

Be mindful: once you enter with your vehicle parked, you won’t be able to re-exit and re-enter. So, bring everything you might need before you head in.

Merch

Expect festival-branded t-shirts, hoodies, hats, posters, accessories, and possibly specialty lantern or light-up items. Availability is usually inside the venue’s merch tents. If you waited until the night of, stock may be limited—so hit the merch tent earlier if you want the cooler items.

Lantern merch (extra lanterns) may also be sold while supplies last. Remember, lanterns can’t be taken home for safety and environmental reasons.

Advantages & Disadvantages: First Day vs Last Day

Going on Day 1

Advantages:

You’ll have “fresh ground” — less foot traffic, fewer worn paths.
Lower fatigue—your energy is high, you’re fresh.
You get in on the excitement of the kick-off, first releases of the lantern ritual.
You may have more flexibility to move around and scope things out, less crowding early on.
First pick at the merch tables. I went on Day 3 and the two items I wanted were already sold out.
Lantern lighting is weather dependent, so you can still catch another day of the festival if you happen to have bad weather on the1st day.

Disadvantages:

Opening-night may feel more tentative—production might still be settling in, logistics fine-tuning.
You may miss out on some of the most hyped headliners (if your favorite is later).
People often ramp up as the weekend goes on, so energy might feel a little more restrained on Day 1 than peak.
Less experience walking in and knowing where things are—some awkward first-time navigating under darkness.

Going on Day 3

Advantages:

Peak energy, full production, full crowd—if you want that climax feeling, Day 3 often delivers.
Final night headliners (John Mayer in 2025) may be the most sought after by many.
The crowd has warmed up, familiarity is high, and communal momentum is strongest.
The closing night carries emotional weight, and many people stay to the end, so the release feels more “collective.”

Disadvantages:

Larger crowds, more congestion—roads, entrances, walkways may be more crowded.
More wear and tear on the site (dust, crushed terrain).
Logistics: you might hit heavier traffic leaving, and more delays on exit.
Some people arrive late or miss opening acts because of delays from previous nights, so you might miss sets if schedule overlaps.
Picked over merch tables. You might get stuck with the less desirable stuff.

If you have the option and stamina, many fans try to attend multiple nights to catch different moods. But for a single-night pick, Day 1 is safer, more relaxed; Day 3 might deliver the highest emotional and energetic payoff—but with more challenges.

The day you choose may ultimately come down to which singers and entertainers you want to see the most.

Final Thoughts & Tips

Book early—tickets, parking, and shuttles can sell out.
Plan for logistics—know your arrival time, route, and how you’re getting back.
Stay flexible—moods shift, art installations may surprise, and impromptu moments happen.
Catch the lantern ritual—that moment where thousands of lights rise skyward is emotionally powerful and central to the experience.
Take breaks—don’t burn out. Use meditation halos, rest in the Path zones, hydrate.
Explore—wander the art, talk to strangers, lean into the desert.
Don’t overpack—but bring the essentials. You’ll regret leaving your phone battery behind.

Whether you go on Friday or Sunday, Rise is an experience as much as a festival. It’s about light, connection, letting go, and music under the wide desert sky. If you manage your expectations, move with intention, and soak it in, it can be nothing short of magical.

Let me know if you’d like help planning which night to pick (based on your favorite artists) or mapping out a packing checklist!

Stay Updated on Everything Las Vegas:

Rise Festival: Need to Know (insider tips & video)

What Is Rise Festival, Really?

Rise Festival Tickets & Packages: What You Get

Which Rise Festival Ticket Package Is Right for You?