We came all the way out from LA to take part in the RiSE Festival, and it was definitely worth the trip.
The views were spectacular, and the lanterns just made everything feel magical.
But before we get too far into the good stuff, let’s talk about the not-so-good stuff.
Table of Contents
What is the Purpose of the RiSe Festival?
The RiSE Festival is all about creating a transformative experience that connects people with themselves and each other.
Set against the backdrop of the Mojave Desert, it combines live music, gourmet food, and immersive spaces.
The emotional crescendo? The world’s largest sky lantern release, lighting up the night sky in a breathtaking spectacle.
It’s not just an event; it’s a moment of collective awe and wonder.
The Not-So-Good Stuff
The Dust, Sand & Wind
It was very dusty and sandy out there, so make sure you bring a hat and some sunglasses to protect your eyes.
And trust us, you’ll want to wear closed-toe shoes because the dust will get everywhere. But honestly, it was worth it for the experience.
The Sun
There also isn’t much seating area that is shaded from the sun, so be prepared to tough it out in the direct sunlight or get there early to snag a seat in the shaded spots.
Or you could always shell out more ($279 according to their website) for the VIP experience.
We also have one last not-so-good thing that you can read in the last chapter of this post.
The Location & The Experience
The festival was held in Jean Good Springs dry bed, and it cost us a total of $346 for the 2 of us with parking.
That might seem like a lot, but it’s definitely worth it for the experience.
We drove to the festival and it was the same exit as the Seven Magic Mountains, so if you’ve been there before, you’ll know where to look.
It’s before you reach the strip and it’s pretty much in the middle of nowhere, but if you look on Google Maps, there is a RiSE Festival geolocation that you can use to get your directions.
And just a heads up, every lantern that we launched, their team will go out there after the festival and pick them all up, and they’re biodegradable too.
So think of it as a cleanup fee that you’re also paying for your admission.
The Food Options
To be completely honest, nothing really jumped out as a must-eat type of item at any of the trucks.
We also had eaten beforehand which seems like the better option considering that you won’t have a shortage of great places to eat in Vegas.
We also got some shaved ice to cool down, because it was 90 degrees out there.
But let’s be real, the ice isn’t the most amazing thing, but it’s still fun to eat.
Getting There Early
We always like to avoid lines and crowds when possible and like getting to places early.
We got there right when it opened at 3:00 PM and it wasn’t crowded yet.
We got through security pretty easily, but just a heads up, they made us drink all of our water before we went in, so don’t bring your own water or food.
They also check your bags, so if you have any non-essentials, leave it in the car.
The good thing about getting there early is that we got parking all the way at the front, so we didn’t have to walk down much.
And all the spots were still open. Each spot had its own little lighting station, so you can decorate your lanterns right there or at one of the limited table areas near the food trucks.
What You Get In Your Festival Package
In your package for the RiSE Festival, you get a seating mat made out of bamboo, which you can take home, and then you get two lanterns.
The lanterns will pop open easily, and it comes with a pen. We saw other people bring their own markers, but we didn’t think that far ahead. If you want to decorate yours more vibrantly, bring your own markers.
You also get a book of matches so you can light the torch for your lanterns.
The Entertainment
As you’re waiting for the festival to start, there is live entertainment.
You can also walk around and view some of the art exhibits that they have on the far side of the festival.
Lastly, you can queue up to take photos in front of the RiSE letters.
The Launching Experience
The sandstorms, the hot sun, and everything else is all forgotten once it’s time to start launching your lanterns.
Being able to send them all into the sky at the same time is an amazing experience.
It’s also one of the most beautiful things you’ll be able to experience and no photos or videos will compare to experiencing it in person.
One Tip For Getting the Best Launch
It’s tempting to prematurely launch the lanterns.
Make sure you let it ‘heat’ up the lantern first.
It should expand and have enough energy in it before letting it go.
It should take 2-3 minutes before it’s ready to pop up into the sky.
This will also ensure that it flies straight up instead of sideways and hitting other folks in your area.
Should I Buy Tickets To The RiSE Festival?
It was a great experience and we highly recommend it to anyone who gets the chance to go.
If you’re worried about getting your clothes or yourself dirty, just embrace it and have fun. It’s all part of the experience.
One thing we want to mention is that it took us 90 minutes to get out of the parking lot and the traffic jam. We’re not sure if the shuttles had a similar experience but if you took the shuttle and avoided all of this, please let us know in the comments.
So, plan ahead and give yourself enough time to get in and out of the festival.
Overall, the RiSE Festival was a blast.
The lanterns were beautiful, the views were spectacular, and the experience was one-of-a-kind. So, if you have the chance, go check it out.
