Top 5 NYE Festivals To “Rave In” The New Year

When it comes to festival-ing, there are a couple times of the year when we really get spoiled with a plethora of festival options all over the United States. There’s obviously summer, otherwise known as festival season, and then there’s Halloween and New Year’s Eve to round out the top three. If you haven’t made it to as many festivals in 2015 as you hoped, or just want to end the year with a bang, New Year’s Eve is your last chance before having to endure the painful four+ month wait until festival season returns. The festivals below feature the best acts dance music has to offer in a variety of locations, so without further adieu, here is EDMTunes’ top five festivals you should consider attending this New Year’s Eve.

5. Countdown – December 31 – San Bernardino, California | Tickets

When it comes to Insomniac, you pretty much know you’re in for an incredible experience, but since it is only a one-day event it clocks in at number five on our list. Countdown features the best of the best in bass music; some of the top acts commissioned to close out another huge year for Insomniac include the one and only DJ Carnage, Bassrush Experience, Cookie Monsta B2B Funtcase, DJ Snake, Flux Pavilion, Yellow Claw and 2015 breakout star Alison Wonderland. While the lineup is definitely bass-focused, househeads will also be able to get their fix with appearances from Kaskade, Oliver Heldens and Sleepy Tom.

4. Reaction – December 30 – 31 – Rosemont, Illinois | Tickets

Reaction probably has the most experimental and most diverse lineup on our list. While Reaction is headlined by familiar names Deadmau5 and Skrillex, below them you will find a lot of names that you don’t often see on a mainstream dance music festival lineup. On day one, you can catch the likes of CHVRCHES, Robin Schulz, Cherub, Thundercat, and up and comer from Canada Rezz. On day two before Skrillex throws some scary monsters at you, don’t miss one of the few hip-hop acts on any of these lineups Chance the Rapper, as well as plenty of vibes with Purity Ring, Cashmere Cat, The Floozies and Autograf.

3. Decadence – December 30 – 31 | Denver, Phoenix, Salt Lake City Denver Tickets | Phoenix Tickets | Salt Lake City Tickets

Originally started in Denver, Colorado and put on by Global Dance, AEG Live and Live Nation, Decadence comes in at number three, and also takes place in three different locations. Decadence first expanded to Phoenix, Arizona, and this year will make its debut in Salt Lake City, Utah. The OG Decadence in Denver is bringing in Bassnectar, deadmau5, Excision, Jack U, Odesza, Galantis, Gareth Emery, and What So Not among many more. A few artists will be doubling down on Decadence in Arizona, including Jack U, Odesza and Tommy Trash; in addition you can catch, 3LAU, Above & Beyond, Adventure Club, Knife Party, Pretty Lights and Tchami. The inaugural Decadence in Utah is much smaller than the other two, and will only take place on December 31st. In Utah Rob Swire & Gareth McGrillen of Knife Party will make a second Decadence headlining appearance, preceded by Infected Mushroom, Pegboard Nerds, Figure, and Virtu. Whichever Decadence you’re able to make it to, you’ll definitely be getting some quality music, and we hope to see Decadence continue on in Salt Lake City for years to come.

2. Snowglobe – December 29 – 31 – South Lake Tahoe, California | Tickets

Snowglobe is the only three-day festival on our list, and is also the only one that takes place outdoors. Outdoor festivals this time of year are few and far between, so if you have the chance to hit up Snowglobe, it definitely brings something different to the table than the other festivals on this list. Coming along for the ride will be Jack U, Kaskade, Dillon Francis, Eric Prydz, Duke Dumont, NGHTMRE, Jai Wolf and Gryffin among plenty of other artists spanning several genres. Combining music and mountains, Snowglobe is definitely one of the more unique music festivals you’ll find.

1. Lights All Night – December 31 – January 1 – Dallas, Texas | Tickets

Lights All Night takes the top spot on our list, and will give you the start to 2016 you know you deserve. While the rest of the festivals on this list will give you a final night of 2015 for the ages, Lights All Night wants to make sure not only your last night of 2015 will be great, but that your first night of 2016 is as magical as possible as well. Hardwell and Porter Robinson headline day one, with Porter playing a DJ set at a festival for the first time in quite some time. They will be joined by the likes of Baauer, Datsik, Galantis, Jauz, and Thomas Jack. On New Year’s Day, you’ll have the opportunity to see Snails, Dirty South, Claude Von Stroke, trap kings Flosstradamus, and Kaskade. There’s really nowhere to go wrong with any of the artists on this lineup, and we feel it is well deserving of its place at the top of our list of best festivals to attend on New Year’s Eve 2015.