Rise Festival 2025: Thousands of bright lanterns were about to fly like stars reborn, but some rogue desert wind stepped in to spoil the party. Utter desert drama – and we enjoyed every minute.
It was like talking desert secrets under a big Nevada sky this weekend. The spectacular 10th anniversary Rise Festival 2025, attracted more than 20,000 dreamers to the Jean Dry Lake Bed, a mere 20 miles south of Las Vegas.
Heavy winds caused organizers to call off the popular sky lanterns release twice a night, where people write their wishes on paper orbs and then release them. But as a phoenix (or rather a lantern), the occasion emerges.
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There is hard rap in short sentences: Music saved the day. Friday opened Rüfüs Du Sol’s ethereal beats, with crowds swaying in spite of the dust storms. Saturday? Calvin Harris unleashed the bass guns, accompanied by Disclosure’s funky grooves and Oliver Heldens’ high-energy set. The Sunday ended with the bluesy John Mayer magic and the jam band energy of Goose a sheer transcendence.
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The attendees at the event raved. The wind was brutal, but Rufuks headlined like legends, tweeted race car driver Ryan Eversley, who posted photos of the sturdy party. Some dreamed big on the Internet: “Bucket list: Rise next year, lanterns and all” wrote one fan, repeating the theme of the festival of hope and peace.
Rise combines art and light into a healing tapestry, beyond beats. The Path provides meditative installations. A social hub for connections. And on the horizon? Non-stop dances under the stars, and green warriors: Organizers leaving the Mojave pristine, planting natives and zero-waste energy.
It wasn’t perfect as expected, some acts were held by the wind. That is desert life. Raw, natural, and we bring home unforgettable memories. Lanterns remained on the ground as spirits flew high. The Rise 2025 festival reminds us that sometimes enlightenment is within us. Who’s packing for 2026? Are you?
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