Las Vegas is home to an annual celebration known as the Rise Lantern Festival. This festival began in 2014 and has been growing ever since! The Rise Festival is held in the Mojave Desert each year during the first weekend of October.
The festival takes place on October 3-5, 2025, to give as many people as possible the chance to experience this unique, inspiring event. Rise is the largest lantern release in the world – there’s truly nothing that compares!
What to Expect At The Rise Lantern Festival
Imagine a scene where tens of thousands of glowing lanterns light up the night sky, the surrounding desert offering an almost magical remote location as the backdrop. Every year, the Rise Festival Las Vegas has people talking about how the lanterns look like stars in the desert night sky.
The Rise Lantern Festival has been an annual event for several years, drawing massive crowds from Las Vegas and locations that are a little further away, like California. Each guest who attends gets two paper lanterns, a marker, and a mat to sit on. Then it’s encouraged that everyone writes a message on their lantern before it’s released into the sky.
The message on each lantern makes the event more meaningful, and often deeply personal. You can write down a favorite quote, a prayer, a personal goal, your dreams, sign your name, or any special message your heart desires!
What’s New for 2025: RISE Lantern Festival’s 10th Anniversary
Well, folks, it’s official—RISE Lantern Festival is turning 10, and like any good Vegas bash, they’re pulling out all the stops. We’ve been to a few of these over the years (yes, we still have glitter in our shoes), but 2025 is shaping up to be the biggest, brightest, and most musically epic edition yet. Here’s everything you need to know about the new updates, the jaw-dropping music acts, and why your Instagram is about to get a lot more magical.
Apparently, when you hit double digits, you go all out. RISE is expanding from its usual two-night format to a full-blown three-day festival, running October 3rd, 4th, and 5th, 2025. That’s right—three nights of lanterns, music, and the kind of communal “woo-woo” energy that makes even the most cynical among us tear up (it’s the desert dust, we swear).
But wait, there’s more! The festival is introducing:
- A Bigger, Better Compass: This is the circular heart of the festival where everyone gathers for the lantern launches. For 2025, it’s been expanded to fit more people and even more “I’m not crying, you’re crying” moments.
- Super-Sized Art Installations: Think interactive, large-scale pieces that are perfect for both soul-searching and selfie-taking. You’ll want to wander, reflect, and maybe pretend you’re in a music video (we won’t judge).
- Upgraded Lounges & Shaded Retreats: Because we’re not 25 anymore, and our backs appreciate a little comfort between all that “dancing under the stars” business.
- The Path & Horizon Stages: The Path is now a full-on art and meditation walk, while the new Horizon Stage is where you’ll find the dance party vibes and some of the best music lineups this side of Coachella.
The 2025 Music Lineup
The Rise Festival is turning into a full fledged music festival too. The headliners are so big, we’re considering bringing our grown kids just to prove we’re still cool.
| Date | Headliners | Supporting Acts |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, Oct 3 | RÜFÜS DU SOL | Ben Böhmer, LP Giobbi, Emmit Fenn, Coco & Breezy, Eduardo Castillo |
| Saturday, Oct 4 | Calvin Harris | Oliver Heldens, RY X, RIVO, Carrie Keller |
| Sunday, Oct 5 | John Mayer | Goose, Elderbrook, Patrick Watson, Forester, City of the Sun |
- RÜFÜS DU SOL (Friday): If you like your electronic music with a side of “I think I just had a spiritual awakening,” this Grammy-winning trio is your jam.
- Calvin Harris (Saturday): The man who makes half the songs on your workout playlist will be there, so prepare to dance like nobody’s watching (but everyone is).
- John Mayer (Sunday): Yes, the John Mayer. Bring tissues for the ballads and maybe a lighter for the encore (or, you know, your phone flashlight).
Supporting acts include a who’s who of indie, electronic, and experimental artists—Ben Böhmer, LP Giobbi, Goose, Elderbrook, Patrick Watson, and more. Basically, if your Spotify Wrapped is a mess of genres, you’ll be in heaven.
Even More Festival Upgrades
- Biggest Lantern Release Ever: Twice nightly, thousands of lanterns will rise together—each with your hopes, dreams, or that snarky message you wrote because your spouse dared you.
- Charity & Community: RISE is now run by the NobleLight Foundation, so your ticket helps support global art initiatives. You get good vibes and good karma—win-win.
- Ticket Packages: Choose from Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Diamond (because apparently, the only thing more Vegas than a lantern festival is a tiered ticket system). Every ticket includes a tax-deductible donation.
When To Arrive
The Rise Festival goes from around 3 PM to about 10 PM. To get the full experience, plan to arrive mid-afternoon, between 3 and 4 PM. This gives you a chance to find a good spot to sit and explore everything the festival has to offer. There’s live music on stage, Ascension DJs, food trucks, and a great community of uplifting individuals.
Around 7 PM, before the sun drops, attendees are walked through the process of lighting their lanterns before releasing them in unison. Then you simply wait, enjoying the company of the powerfully connected Rise community, until the time comes to release the lanterns with each participant’s unique story into the sky.
You don’t have to worry about lugging a bunch of extras to the event. The festival is designed to provide everything you need! Guests are permitted to carry a small bag or purse with personal items. Security checks are done on each bag taken into the festival. Larger items like coolers and chairs are not permitted.
Rise Lanterns Light Up the Night Sky
Then as the sun sets, the sight of thousands of lanterns lighting up the sky at the same time is truly indescribable! You have to experience it yourself to understand just how magical it is. Live music is played to coincide with the lantern release, and there’s a feeling of being powerfully connected to everyone around you. This is an experience that you really don’t want to miss.
From 7-10 PM, guests continue to enjoy the festival, watch the lanterns float through the sky, and release more lanterns throughout the evening.
Reserving Your Spot at Rise
We know—choosing a ticket tier can feel like picking a Netflix show with your spouse. So, here’s the no-nonsense breakdown of what each RISE Lantern Festival 2025 ticket gets you, from “I’m just here for the lanterns” to “I want to lounge like a desert celebrity.” Yes, we made a chart, because we love you (and because we’re tired of squinting at fine print).
| Ticket Tier | Price (per night) | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | $189 | RISE Sky Lantern Ceremony, 2 Music Stages in the Desert, 6 Musical Performances, 2 Sky Lanterns, Portable Desert Cushion, Unlimited Water Refills, Access to all Art Installations, and Access to RISE Meditation Halos. |
| Gold | $269 | Everything in Silver, plus expedited entry, access to Desert Clubs, VIP restrooms |
| Platinum | $489 | Everything in Gold, plus reserved Compass VIP areas, VIP Havens, complimentary gourmet food & open bar, VIP retreats |
| Diamond | $989 | Everything in Platinum, plus Diamond Sanctuary, Diamond Viewing Area, the fanciest lounges in the desert |
| Child | $189 | Sold Out for all 3 days ☹️ |
- Every ticket includes a tax-deductible donation, so you can feel extra good about your splurge.
- All tiers get two lanterns, a marker, and a cushion—because nobody’s sitting on the desert floor after age 30 if they can help it.
- Gold and up: Skip the lines and enjoy fancier bathrooms (trust us, this matters after three bottles of water).
- Platinum and Diamond: You’re basically festival royalty—think gourmet food, open bar, and private lounges that make you wonder if you’re at a lantern festival or a five-star resort.
- Diamond: For those who want the absolute best view (and maybe to brag about it to their friends for the next decade).
Pro tip: Each night requires its own ticket—no, you can’t just sneak back in with your Friday wristband for John Mayer on Sunday. And yes, children 12 and under can join you in the VIP areas if you spring for the fancy tickets (just don’t let them eat all the free snacks).
So, whether you’re going Silver and soaking up the magic or going full Diamond for the “treat yourself” experience, you’ll get the core RISE magic—plus a few perks to make your night under the desert stars even more unforgettable.
The Perfect Location
The Rise Lantern Festival is held in the Mojave Desert each year. The Mojave Desert spans more than 54,000 miles, though, so let’s get a little more specific. 20 miles south of Las Vegas is an area of the desert known as Jean Dry Lake Bed. This is where the magic happens!
The festival is accessed by taking I-15 to exit 12 to Jena Goodsprings if you’re coming from the south, and exit 25 to Sloan if you’re coming from the north. After taking the exit, there will be clear signage leading towards the festival.
Parking and Rideshares
Parking is available at Jean Dry Lake Bed upon arrival at the festival. A parking pass is required and can be purchased with tickets. RVs cannot be parked at the festival. Prepare ahead of time for driving to and from the event because rideshares, such as Uber and Lyft, are not typically available that far out into the desert. Shuttle passes (AKA Luxury Coaches) are available.
Book Your Stay in Vegas
If you’re not a Las Vegas native, you’ll need a place to stay after the festival has ended. Hotels book quickly for the weekend of the festival, so it’s recommended to book at the time you purchase your ticket.
FAQs
What is the Rise Lantern Festival?
The Rise Lantern Festival is designed to be a memorable group experience that fills the attendees with hope, motivation, and excitement for life! Attendees participate in a simultaneous lantern release that fills the sky with a truly remarkable sight.
What happens to the lanterns after the Rise Festival?
The lanterns used during the festival are made using biodegradable materials that have a short burn time. After the festival, a cleanup team combs the desert to pick up lanterns. The Rise Festival team is passionate about preserving the desert and leaving no mess behind.
Is There Food at the Rise Festival?
Yes, there is food at the festival! A variety of food trucks are at the festival each year, providing food, drinks, and alcoholic beverages.
Is the Rise Festival Accessible for Disabled Individuals?
The Rise Festival is designed for everyone to enjoy. The festival provides a shuttle service for individuals who can’t make the walk from the parking area to their spot and welcomes service animals to come to the celebration too! ADA accommodation requests can be indicated at the time of purchasing your ticket, and shuttle tickets will be provided at no added cost.
Of all the festivals and events in Las Vegas, Rise offers something truly magical and unique. Lanterns with each participant’s unique story float through the air, accompanied by music and the feeling of community. The Nevada desert has never seemed more beautiful. Don’t miss your chance to fill the sky with wonder at Rise.
Our Take
We’ve been to enough festivals to know that RISE is special. There’s something about launching a lantern with thousands of strangers (and a few thousand bugs) that makes you feel connected, inspired, and just a little bit less grumpy about the traffic on I-15.
With the 10th anniversary bringing in world-class music, more art, and comfier places to sit, we’re already planning our outfits—and maybe even stretching so we can actually dance this year.
So, if you’re looking for a festival that’s equal parts soul-searching, star-gazing, and “did I just see John Mayer in the desert?”—RISE 2025 is the ticket. See you (and your lantern) there!
i would like to buy 2 tickets but don’t know what is the link to purchase them ?
The next festival is in October of 2025, so tickets are not on sale yet. YOu can sign up for updates here: https://risefestival.com/join-our-community/
Is there a place for someone to sit other than a mat? I am unable to stand for long periods, and cannot sit on the floor as I am unable to get up from the floor by myself. Thank you!
Not to my knowledge and they dont allow people to bring chairs because they consider it a tripping hazard. You may be able to make special arrangements because they do make accommodations for disabled people.
Hello I would definitely love to experience this amazing thing called RISE. do you have group rates?
There is a group discount of $10 off each ticket when you buy 5 tickets or more.