Written by: Leah Laskowski
I finally did it—I stepped onto the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for my very first EDC Las Vegas, and the moment I caught a glimpse of everything I was about to experience, I understood why everyone has always spoken so highly of it. I’ve been to EDC Orlando many times, but even that couldn’t have prepared me for the sheer beauty of this festival.
Three sunset-to-sunrise nights later, I’m home—heart full and neck sore from trying to catch glimpses of EVERYTHING there was to see (and from a little headbanging). Here’s how the weekend hit from a first-timer’s POV.
The Raceway Is Huge — Sixteen-Stages Huge 🎶
EDC 2025 officially sprawled across 16 stages and hosted 250+ artists, marking the fest’s biggest build yet. Those 16 included the nine signature setups—kineticFIELD, cosmicMEADOW, circuitGROUNDS, neonGARDEN, bassPOD, wasteLAND, quantumVALLEY, stereoBLOOM, and the newer bionicJUNGLE—plus half a dozen art cars and micro-venues. It very rarely felt overcrowded, but every set change was a cardio session.
Downtown EDC: Where the Side-Quests Live 🛼🎟️
Before going, everyone told me I had to visit Downtown EDC—Insomniac’s neon-lit mini-city of oddities. So between sets, I took a little gander. One minute I was line-dancing in the YeeDC Saloon, the next I was cheering on queens at Queen Bar before wandering into a ’70s disco for a blind-date speed-dance. It felt like stumbling into a late-night carnival hidden inside… well, an even bigger carnival.
Production That Left My Mind Blown 💥
Fireworks & Drones: Every night around 1 a.m., the sky exploded—first with the most beautiful drone show I’ve ever seen, then with a firework barrage that wrapped the speedway in 360° sparks. It was magical on its own, but experiencing it with my best friends made it unforgettable.
Themed Stages: kineticFIELD’s new setup towered over us like a cathedral of LEDs, while circuitGROUNDS blasted flame cannons that warmed the chill desert air.
Everywhere Else: Roaming art cars, costumed stilt walkers, glowing daisy sculptures, and carnival rides (yes, a Ferris wheel at 4 a.m.) turned the venue into a playground for big kids.
The Return of Trap 🎧
TRAP IS BACK, baby. It felt like a renaissance moment for the genre—new wave trap artists and OGs alike brought the grit back to the desert. Seeing everyone get DOWN to sets like RL Grime and ISOKNOCK made my heart so full. Even Alison Wonderland sprinkled in some gritty trap into her set that absolutely lit up the crowd.
It’s been my favorite sub-genre for a while, and it was so fulfilling to share that energy with thousands of other people feeling the exact same way.
Tips for Next Year’s First-Timers 📍
- Arrive early—the walk from the gates to the stages is longer than you think.
- Bleachers = best drone/firework view. Stake out a spot about 10 minutes before they begin.
- Earplugs aren’t optional. Your future self will thank you.
- GA+ is WORTH IT. Virtually no bathroom lines = more time exploring.
- Take breaks when you need to. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
- If a DD is an option, drive. The parking lot is a bit of a walk, but we were so thankful we didn’t have to wait in massive shuttle lines or spend hours hunting for an Uber.
Final Takeaway 💫
EDC Las Vegas 2025 was sensory overload in the sweetest way possible. From the moment we walked through the bleachers, I felt wrapped in community, color, and bass you could taste. If you’re on the fence about going, take it from me: gather your besties, book the ticket, and let the electric sky do the rest.