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Rise Festival’s 10-Year Anniversary Has Monumental 2025 Lineup

John Mayer John Mayer, with Joy Oladokun, in concert, United Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA - 31 Mar 2023
Photo by Daniel DeSlover/Shutterstock (13854762o)

The RISE Festival, an iconic event known for its compelling fusion of light, music, and connection, is gearing up for an unforgettable celebration as it marks its 10th anniversary. Scheduled for October 3-5, 2025, this landmark edition is set to take place in the awe-inspiring environs of the Mojave Desert, just south of Las Vegas. What started in 2014 as a picturesque gathering to release biodegradable lanterns into the night sky has evolved into a full-scale musical extravaganza. This year, the festival plans a significant expansion with a three-day lineup featuring 17 celebrated artists, underscoring its reputation as the world's largest sky lantern festival.

Headlining the event are RÜFÜS DU SOL, Calvin Harris, and John Mayer, each bringing unique sounds and energy to the desert stage. RÜFÜS DU SOL, known for transformative electronic escapades, will lead the opening night. The following night, festivalgoers will be entertained by Calvin Harris, whose chart-topping hits are essential to modern pop-electronica. The final night will be closed by John Mayer, whose soulful performances are anticipated to provide a beautifully intimate finale. Alongside these headliners, the festival boasts a diverse roster including LP Giobbi, Ben Böhmer, and Coco & Breezy, ensuring a musical journey across electronic, indie, folk, and dance genres.

Significant additions have been made to the festival's infrastructure to enhance the guest experience. This includes the introduction of an expanded Compass area, the festival's central hub, designed to accommodate more attendees seeking introspection and release. Here, participants engage in the quintessential sky lantern experience, each lantern symbolizing personal hopes and messages. This collective act, described as the ‘world's largest collaborative art installation,' is at the heart of RISE, blending personal moments with shared communal beauty.

The festival's immersive experience is further enriched by a sequence of carefully curated zones. Starting at The Path, attendees are invited to detach from daily stress and embark on a sensory journey through mesmerizing art installations within the serene desert landscape. As the sun sets, the festival transitions to The Compass, where lantern launches coincide with live musical acts—spreading light and warmth across the desert night. Lastly, the Horizon stage welcomes guests to dance under a canopy of stars, providing a euphoric conclusion with performances from world-renowned artists.

A considerable expansion of art installations and guest amenities has been undertaken, making this edition of RISE the most ambitious to date. Enhanced lounges and shaded retreats offer guests comfort and opportunities for reflection, while the introduction of larger art pieces invites interaction and contemplation, reinforcing the festival's ethos of transformation through art. The festival also emphasizes sustainability, with partnerships that ensure the desert is left pristine, aligning with its commitment to environmental stewardship and community-focused initiatives.

This 10th anniversary festival not only celebrates light and sound but is deeply rooted in fostering a sense of community and collective joy. As it transitions into a non-profit operated by the NobleLight Foundation, the event extends its impact by supporting global artistic endeavors, thus uniting attendees through philanthropy as well as festivity. Whether through purchasing ticket packages or engaging in on-site activities, participants contribute to the support of international art and education projects, connecting to a broader mission beyond the festival.

Tickets available tomorrow in tiers ranging from Silver to Diamond, each offering a different level of engagement and experience, with proceeds supporting artistic initiatives. Attendees can expect an enriching journey that transcends entertainment, weaving introspection, shared experiences, and artistic appreciation into a narrative that celebrates humanity's shared past, present, and potential. The RISE Festival 2025 promises a transformative gathering unlike any other, a testament to what the festival has achieved over the past decade and a preview of its luminous future.

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