Escape Halloween Unleashes Haunts and Frights at Southern California’s NOS Event Center
Every October, festival enthusiasts in Southern California eagerly anticipate the chance to dance at Escape Halloween. This year was no exception, as Insomniac delivered another thrilling edition on October 25-26 at the NOS Event Center. With stunning production, creepy characters, and a lineup of top-tier artists, the festival created an immersive Halloween experience.
After spotting some of my favorite artists on the lineup and hearing rave reviews from friends who attended recently, I decided to return to Escape Halloween 2024 after a three-year break. Entry each day was smooth, and there were numerous sights and sounds to experience. Whether you wanted to dive into a specific dance music genre or embark on a spooky adventure, Escape Halloween had plenty of activities for both ravers and non-ravers.
Friday Evening Arrival and VIP Experience
After arriving a bit late in San Bernardino on Friday night, my friend and I parked in the Purple Lot and hopped on the complimentary shuttles to the festival entrance. We did wait about 30 minutes in line for the shuttles, but the walk from the lot would have taken roughly the same time. I recommend future attendees arrive early to avoid long lines and traffic while securing the best free parking options from Insomniac.
Once we entered the festival gates, we made a beeline for the VIP area at The Grimm to catch deadmau5. Arriving just in time for my favorite track, “Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff,” we headed to the dance floor and met up with other EDM Identity friends. Right away, I noticed how packed VIP was, more so than at other events. My friends and I had to stand near the back of the VIP viewing area to have enough space to dance.
VIP Offers Unique Experiences Amidst the Crowds
While VIP provided a lot to enjoy, including dedicated bathrooms, food trucks, exclusive commemorative items, and complimentary Wi-Fi, I found The Grimm VIP to be quite crowded. I rarely find myself standing at the very back of a VIP section at Insomniac events just to have enough room to stand comfortably. Although the vibe was generally overcrowded, I did not encounter this issue at other stages during Escape Halloween. Future attendees should be cautious of the crowd at The Grimm VIP, but if you choose to step out, there are plenty of spots to relax.
Memorable Performances with Spooky Surprises
Afroki, the duo of Afrojack and Steve Aoki, delivered an unforgettable performance. They played crowd favorites like Afrojack’s “Take Over Control” alongside fresh tracks like Afroki’s “Everything You Do” featuring Aviella. I couldn’t stop dancing, and this quickly became one of my favorite sets of the night. The only thing that could have made it better would have been Steve Aoki’s iconic cake-throwing.
We capped off the night with ILLENIUM, and I was ecstatic to see him again after last catching him at Electric Forest 2023. He delivered a stunning mix of powerful tracks and melodic drops. Many artists embraced the Halloween spirit dressing up in costumes, including OMNOM as a hotdog and Two Friends as chefs, among other spirited looks.
Exploring the Venue on Day Two
On Saturday, my group and I arrived earlier and parked in the Blue Lot, making our way to the venue with ease. Mary Droppinz’ UKG set at Feeding Grounds stood out as my favorite performance from her, perfectly energizing the crowd. Chippy Nonstop and Clara Cuvé at Wicked Woods guided us into the evening with entrancing techno beats. With my favorite genre ringing in my ears, I explored Escape Halloween’s activations, trekking through HI-CHEW’s The Chew Chamber, pop-ups by End Overdose, Casa Bacardí, Ghost, and more for exclusive freebies and experiences.
New Stage: Danse Macabre
This year introduced the Danse Macabre stage, hosted by Veop Group and Aftertraxx. I loved the blacklit atmosphere and enjoyed the performances, from magic shows to fire-bending acts, with frightful characters lurking around every corner. After an intense set from Maddix, my friends and I wrapped up the night with bass-heavy tracks from Adventure Club at Sewer District and progressive beats by Meduza at Feeding Grounds. Martin Garrix closed the night at The Grimm, and I was elated when he played my favorites, “Virus (How About Now)” with MOTi and “Lions in the Wild” with Third Party.
Conclusion: A Halloween Experience Like No Other
Overall, despite the large crowds, Escape Halloween excelled in delivering exceptional production, ghastly haunts, and enough invigorating beats to captivate any dance music lover. I’m grateful I returned to Escape Halloween this year. Witnessing its evolution from the Psycho Circus in 2017 to now, it’s clear why this event draws so many in Southern California. It’s a Halloween enthusiast’s paradise, featuring some of the best acts in dance music.
Escape Halloween is poised for continued growth, and Insomniac will surely adapt to enhance stage and crowd flow. Even amidst the throngs of people, I experienced a sense of PLUR throughout both evenings. I had a fantastic time exploring Escape Halloween during my grand return, and I will undoubtedly be back in the future.
