Looking to have a fantastic weekend under the electric sky at EDC Las Vegas? Follow these tips from a veteran headliner!
Whether you’re attending EDC Las Vegas for the first time or returning to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway to dance all night once again, we know that you’ll want to optimize your experience. Over the years many of the die-hard headliners who have been in attendance have given their best EDC Las Vegas Tips to members of their rave families and others in the community, to provide the best weekend of their life.
As active contributors to the r/ElectricDaisyCarnival Subreddit and Facebook Group, we have seen our fair share of what works and what doesn’t. Simple things like essential items to bring, or what to do in Las Vegas or on the festival grounds have been refined as new ideas and experiences come to life. The EDC Las Vegas Tips & Tricks below come from years of experience attending the event and hopefully will help you have an awesome experience too.
EDC Las Vegas Tips & Tricks
Call your bank/credit card companies before you leave and hit the bank or ATM before you leave home.
Let them know you will be traveling to Vegas to avoid holds on your account. Cash is also king for tips on the strip or if you plan on gambling, and the ATM fees are generally very high both inside the festival and on the strip itself.
Credit and debit cards could also possibly be hit or miss if the speedway’s internet network isn’t too reliable. Don’t be stuck without a way to pay for something you need!
Be vigilant on the Strip.
Everyone is trying to hustle, be wary of offers that are too good to be true. Watch out for promoters on the street who are just trying to fill their quota and aren’t actually giving you free access to nightclubs. Street performers will expect tips if you take pictures!
Hit up a Vegas buffet at least one day.
There are plenty of amazing buffets around the strip and many of them are worth their price of admission. Make sure to check Yelp! for reviews, and there are even discounts available if you play MyVegas or are a member of the casino’s club.
Stay comfortable throughout the weekend.
Stretch in your hotel room before leaving for the festival each day. Your muscles will thank you in the morning and you won’t cramp up as easy in the heat!
Wear comfy shoes or get insoles to replace the “stock” insoles that come with your shoes. Also, consider investing in a pack of moleskin if your feet are prone to blisters from rubbing against your socks. Your feet will thank you!
Get to the festival early each day.
Stop by the merchandise tent first thing because items sell out fast. If you want to ride the rides, get there early or risk missing sets while standing in line! Some rides you will be waiting for an hour or more at peak times, so choose the ones you want to ride the most quickly!
Consider a mobile charging locker to store your merchandise and other items in!
If you bring all of your sealed items in on the first day (wipes, chapstick, cigarettes, gum, tampons, etc), you can keep them all in your locker overnight and not have to worry about getting three of each sealed item to bring in every single day.
Remember to hide your lock from people who may peer over your shoulder or look at your combination wristband and try to get into your locker. Remain vigilant inside the festival!
Time-stamp your texts! If you have a large crew and need to split up to see different sets, plan a meeting spot!
There will be cell service congestion. Stamping your texts will help your friends know whenever you truly sent a message!
When planning a meeting spot, make sure to pick a location that is stationary like the locker area, the cooling area, or one of the buildings in EDC Town. Don’t be one of those people who tried to meet “under the daisy” that ended up getting moved a few years back.
Bring an external battery pack!
If you are someone who likes to take a lot of photo and video you’ll need the extra juice. These will definitely make sure that you can get ahold of your friends and take some epic shots.
Don’t forget to hydrate!
After you get your merchandise and put it in your locker, your next stop should be one of the four free water stands to fill up your hydration pack or water bottle. It’s very important to remain hydrated, especially while the sun is still out and bearing down on you! If you tip some of the vendors, they will give you ice if the warm water turns you off.
Tired of water? Buy a smoothie or a lemonade. They are a nice change of pace from warm hydrant water. The fresh fruit smoothies are absolutely delicious too!
If you need to eat something, consider the food trucks instead of the concession stands.
The food trucks have their company name out there and on the line when compared to the generic concession stand items, the quality of the food is unparalleled. Don’t make the same mistake as I did last year and get a raw onion sandwich masked as a “cheese steak”.
Bring earplugs! Tinnitus sucks!
This goes without saying, but get more information on great options for ear protection here. Seriously, protect your damn eardrums okay?
Wear sunscreen!
Remember, if you are staying up all night the sun is up at 5AM and starts beaming down on you almost immediately. If you’re attending a pool party, you should be applying sunscreen before heading out each day too.
EDC is a marathon, not a sprint.
If you are going to drink alcohol, do so in moderation and stay hydrated! For every alcoholic drink you have, you should drink 8-16oz of water next to keep your body functioning well.
Emergen-C packets are a lifesaver. Take one before the festival every night in order to help you recover from the night before and prepare for the festival ahead.
Don’t forget to take some time to take it all in.
Look up and enjoy the fireworks! Head to the top of the stairs to get that insane view of the entire speedway. Send a postcard to your house from the EDC Town Post Office too.
Don’t forget about the EDC Parade down Rainbow Road every night. You should at least try to check it out one time out of the three nights you are there!
Follow your favorite artists on social media.
You’ll be the first to know if they may show up unannounced (pls Kaskade), or if they are doing any surprise sets on one of the art cars or somewhere hidden.
If you are feeling at all dehydrated or anything else medical related, visit one of the medical tents.
The medical staff is super friendly and you WILL NOT get in trouble for seeking medical treatment, no matter your condition. If you can’t make it to the medical tent, look for a Ground Control staff member to assist you or any of your friends! Look out for your fellow ravers. If you see something, say something! This will keep everyone safe and having a good time.
If you are going to do drugs, and especially MDMA, test it before you take it, please.
Do not buy drugs at the festival. Seriously, just don’t do it. Not only do you risk getting bunk goods, but undercover cops are all over too. If you plan on partaking in festivities, please be safe. Test everything you plan on taking because the cost of a test kit is far less than a trip to the hospital. You can even use an Amazon Locker to get your kits sent to Las Vegas safely!
Bring baby wipes with you.
As it is common with all festivals the porta-potties will run out of toilet paper. It’s just a fact of the festival scene and many times they don’t get resupplied either. You will thank me if you get caught in this situation.
Hand fans can keep you seriously cool!
Crowds inside the festival can get pretty hot and people will love you. These are inexpensive and a great way to make new friends.
Wear a bandana inside the festival.
Tie it around your neck for each night you are out there. Put it over your mouth and nose when the dust gets to be too much. Your lungs will thank you, plus you get to look like a bandit. It’s a win-win situation.
Trains of people are going to happen, so use them to your advantage.
Become the caboose to go into or out of the crowds and use your manners! Excuse me and thank you go a long way when navigating the crowd!
Bring good vibes, leave the judgment at the gates, and most of all, enjoy yourself and smile!
EDC Las Vegas is a glorious wonderland of fun. Bring the good vibes with you, and you’ll get them in return. If you follow these tips you will have a great time, I promise!
Oh, and don’t forget to call your Dad on Father’s Day before you head out for night 3!
