2019 has been a HUGE year for the EDM community. We’ve seen the re-appearance of huge name artists (looking at you Skrillex), and we’ve seen the creation of, what I would consider are, some of the most impressive concerts, events, festivals to date. Alison Wonderland sold out TWO red rocks shows, Okeechobee came back, Imagine Music Festival extended to four days. But it doesn’t stop there. Halloween is proving to be bigger, and better than ever this year. So, I’m giving you all the top 7 Halloween festivals that you should consider this year!
Freaky Deaky
October 26th- 27th | Baytown, Texas
Starting off the list is a festival that I have heard some awesome things about. Held at the Houston Raceway in Baytown, this festival is boasting an awesome lineup to go with it. Sadly- since it’s at the Raceway that means that this is not a camping festival but the good news is that the music starts at the same time as regular festivals. Parking lots and the box office start at 1:00 pm and the venue closes down at 12:00 am. Something to keep in mind is that this is not an in-and-out event.
Some things to keep in mind– Once you’re in, you won’t be able to leave and come back again on the same day. Something else to note for this event is the prohibited and allowed items list. You can find that here. Since this is a Halloween festival, you can expect most people to be dressed up in some way! However, Freaky Deaky has requested that attendees avoid wearing Police, Fire Department, SWAT, Security, Military or Public Safety costumes.
Fright Night Massive
October 26th- 27th | Baltimore, Maryland
A new festival to the Halloween circuit, Fright Night Massive, is bringing something new to the mix. From the creators who brought you Moonrise festivals, this event is promising to be a big one. Not only have they secured some huge artists (aka: Alison Wonderland, ily). To go along with the huge lineup, they’re giving attendees a totally immersive experience. They’re giving you zombies and all the post-apocalypse vibes that you could ever need.
This event is being held on an island in downtown Baltimore, which means that they’re not offering camping for this event. So make sure you’re planning accordingly when it comes to travel and sleeping accommodations! For those of you who are coming from the DMV area, you’re also able to take the train into Baltimore Penn Station
Hulaween
October 24th- 27th | Live Oak, Florida
A festival that continues to surprise people year after year, Suwanee Hulaween is back for 2019! Every year we wait in anticipation for the announcement of if this awesome festival is going to come back. After running into some issues with their bank accounts and paying out their artists and vendors in 2018, they’ve taken new precautions for this year to avoid the same issues. Not to mention, they’re giving us one hell of a line-up, sticking to their typical diverse line-ups.
This is a great festival for anyone who’s not ready to give up their 2019 festie season. Hulaween is held down in Florida, which means warm days and mostly-warm-ish nights. Not to mention, this is also a camping festival so get in that last-minute camping trip while you still can!
Haunted Fest (Ohio, Indianapolis, Michigan)
October 24th | Grand Rapids, Michigan
October 25th | Columbus, Ohio
October 25th | Indianapolis, Indiana
A personal favorite for spooky season-Haunted Fest is unlike any other. This event has THREE separate locations and line-ups giving EDM lovers more opportunities to go to an event. This year they’re headlining some of my favorite artists! AKA: REZZ, RL Grime, Whethan and Porter Robinson. If that doesn’t get you hype- I don’t know what will. For 2018 I attended the event in Indianapolis with Alan Walker and it was a fantastic night. Per the usual at events, the music speaks for itself but they do have a really cute sign you can take pictures with 🙂
This is a single-night event, unlike the other events I have listed in this post. I felt like it was worthy of mentioning because there are several different locations. Not to mention that not everyone is able to take off enough days of the year to go to a Halloween festival (cough cough *me*).
Voodoo
October 25th- 27th | City Park, Louisiana
Voodoo is a festival that is definitely on my bucket list. After visiting New Orleans for my 21st birthday a couple of years ago I’ve been dying to go back! Voodoo is giving me that reason. Not only are they bringing in some popular artists for the lineup, but they’re keeping it diverse so everyone has a little something for everyone!
Outside of giving everyone the music that they love, Voodoo is also bringing all the amazing parts of New Orleans to the festival. Included inside the venue, attendees will find not only some of the best eats in the south, but they also get access to the Brew Dat Beer Hall and House of Blues Voodoo. That means top tier beer, eats, and music! What a win/win.
NIGHTMARE
October 19th- 20th | Washington D.C.
Another East Coast favorite, Nightmare Festival is back for 2019 bigger and better than ever. Previously held at a different venue in previous years, this year the event organizers are changing it up. Nightmare Festival 2019 is now being held at The Anthem in Washington D.C. The jury’s still out on how we feel about this change- but this venue is one of the newer ones in the D.C. area so fingers crossed.
The venue doesn’t allow in and out access, so be ready to stay once you make your way in. Another thing to make note of- the D.C. venues are more strict when it comes to ‘goodies’. That means even your dab/vape pens. So please plan accordingly. Another thing to note is that there will be two official pre-parties for attendees. The first held by the legendary Wakaan Records on 10/17 at the U Street Music Hall in D.C., the second held on 10/18 in Richmond. The second show is featuring Champagne Drip, Luzcid, and TVBOO!
Escape: Psycho Circus
October 25th- 26th | San Bernadino, CA
Of course, I couldn’t do an entire Top Halloween festival post without mentioning this iconic festival. Hosted by the creators of Electric Forest, Beyond Wonderland and so many more- Insomniac is making all the pitstops this year. They’re stepping it up with new pyro, more actors and even better art installations.
This year it’s being held at the iconic NOS Event Center and it’s featuring some big stages. For 2019, there will be four bigger than life stages, including The Grimm, Psycho Circus, Sanitarium and Sewer District. Each stage brining its own genre of EDM and costumed actors. In other words, if you’re looking for something that’s going to be totally immersive, you’ve found it with the Psycho Circus.
