RISE Festival 2025: A Celebration of Light, Love, Music, and Letting Go
- Christianne Klein
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
There are certain experiences you remember for the rest of your life - moments where beauty, meaning, connection, and music all come together and take your breath away. For us, that was RISE Festival 2025.
Held in the Mojave Desert just outside Las Vegas, this year marked the festival’s 10th anniversary, and the energy was extraordinary. RISE is an immersive three-part festival blending art, music, and light into something both magical and deeply spiritual. The weekend featured incredible musical acts, including Calvin Harris, who lit up Saturday night with his signature energy, and on Sunday, we saw both Goose - fantastic in every sense - and John Mayer, whose soulful performance on the Horizon Stage was the perfect way to close
out the weekend until next year.
As the sun sank and the lantern ceremony began inside The Compass, the festival grounds came alive. The sky lantern lighting was a breathtaking collective moment of release and hope. Thousands of glowing orbs drifted upward into the desert night, each carrying someone’s message, memory, or wish. It's the largest sky lantern ceremony in the world.
For us, this moment held special meaning - just days before the festival, we had said goodbye to our beloved dog of nearly 16 years, Vincent. Losing him left a hole in our hearts, and being able to honor his life beneath that vast desert sky - sending a lantern
upward in his memory - was deeply healing. When you first walk inside the venue, you're given a seating cushion, two lanterns, and a marker to share your message on the lantern before the release ceremony. I was struck by how large and beautiful the lanterns were, each holding unique meaning for those who attended. The feeling in the crowd - helping one another light and release their lanterns, sharing the moment together with thousands of strangers - is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
We opted for the luxury Diamond Pass Experience, and I can’t recommend it enough for a truly elevated festival outing. Diamond and Platinum ticket holders enjoy access to exclusive lounge areas, elevated seating (including comfortable couches and dining tables), private VIP retreats, a dedicated area in The Compass for lantern releases, and premium comfort (including separate VIP restrooms)- which makes all the difference when you want a luxurious experience instead of jostling with crowds.
The food was next-level: buttery lobster rolls, beautifully curated charcuterie, juicy sliders, brisket mac and cheese, grilled vegetable skewers drizzled in balsamic, and premium cocktails and wine- all complimentary in the
Diamond and Platinum areas of the park. Honestly, it felt more like a chic outdoor soirée than a typical festival.
Having comfortable seating and space to unwind allowed us to soak in the magic without stress. Livia absolutely loved it - the music, the lights, the shared emotion - and it captured her heart so much that we’re already planning to make it an annual tradition. Watching Goose’s electric set followed by John Mayer’s emotional, soul-stirring performance from our special section in the Diamond Sanctuary was the perfect finale to a weekend we’ll never forget.
Of course, weather is always a factor at outdoor events - and while some attendees faced challenges due to wind on Friday, the rest of the weekend was perfect. Organizers offered tickets to guests who had been affected to return on Sunday. We met several returning festival goers who said the final night was worth every minute.
As our lantern rose among thousands, the night sky filled with golden light for more than an hour. It was gorgeous, moving, and somehow transcendent - a moment of collective letting go and welcoming in the next chapter. Standing there, lantern in hand, I felt present, connected, and at peace in a way I haven’t for a long time.
RISE Festival wasn’t just another event - it was a celebration of life, love, and renewal. With spectacular music, impeccable hospitality, and the beloved ritual of the sky lanterns, it’s now firmly marked on our calendar for years to come.
Disclosure: We received media access to RISE Festival for coverage on FoodFamilyTravel.com and associated media outlets. All thoughts and experiences are our own.
Christianne Klein is an Emmy® and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning TV Host, journalist, travel and lifestyle expert, and founder of FoodFamilyTravel.com.
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