Halloween 2017: Best Music Festivals and Raves

HARD Events has discontinued Day of the Dead for disquieting reasons so we are on the prowl for a Halloween 2017 music festival or rave.

Unfortunately HARD Day of the Dead has been called off following the tragic deaths of three attendees in 2015. It would be weird to throw an event called Day of the Dead after that. So check out the best raves and music festivals for Halloween 2017.

October 6-9, 2017

– Dirtybird Campout 2017

Location: Bradley, California
More Info: http://dirtybirdcampout.com

Before the festivities begin Claude VonStroke, founder of Dirtybird Records invites you to go camping or even glamping. In addition to an epic line-up featuring VonStroke, Justin Martin, Bleep Bloop, Egyptian Lover and more, there will be fun camp activities and barbecue. Activities include stand up comedy, yoga, kickball, arts and crafts, karaoke, birdwatching, bingo and more. You can book a luxurious kodiak, or just pass out in the parking lot. It takes place at the San Antonio Campground from October 6th to 8th.

– Groove Cruise LA – Mexico 2017

Location: On a boat
More info: https://www.groovecruise.com/en/la

If you prefer the sea to the mountains, Groove Cruise will reappear from October 6th to 9th in a voyage from LA to Ensenada, Mexico. The Groove Cruise started in 2004 with 125 friends and has grown into the world’s largest floating dance music festival. The headliners include Dash Berlin, 3lau, Arty and Ferry Corsten, as well as many, many more DJ’s. The price of a Groove Cruise ticket includes all meals, non alcoholic beverages and entrance to events. It does not cover airfare, gambling debts or ship to shore expenses.

October 12-14, 2017

– Ultra Music Festival Brasil 2017

Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
More info: https://ultrabrasil.com

If you liked Ultra Music Festival Miami then you’re going to love Ultra Brasil 2017. It takes place from October 12th to October 14th at the Sambódromo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The venue is a multi-purpose parade area originally intended for Carnival. This year the lineup features Above & Beyond, Alesso, Armin Van Buuren, David Guetta, Ferry Corsten, Knife Party, Marshmello, Nicky Romero, Richie Hawtin, Steve Angello, W&W and more of your favorites. And this year Café de la Musique is introducing the VIP experience.

October 18-22, 2017

– Amsterdam Dance Event 2017 (ADE)

Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
More info: https://www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl

ADE is to Europe what EDC Las Vegas/EDM Biz Conference and Expo is to the US. It’s actually a bigger deal because most progressive house artists that draw in the big crowds in Las Vegas are originally from northwestern Europe, including almost all of the Top 100 DJ’s. October 18th until the 22nd will be a transcendent block party involving multiple venues and popups, similar to SXSW but with house music and legal drugs. You can look forward to inspiring DJ sets by Afrojack, Deep Dish, Hardwell, Tiga, Zedd and pretty much every producer in Amsterdam.

October 27-28, 2017

– Escape Psycho Circus 2017

Location: San Bernardino, California
More info: https://www.insomniac.com/event/escape-psycho-circus-2017-10-2728-nos

Scary clowns are hot this Halloween what with the release of American Horror Story: Cult. Also there are usually clowns at Insomniac Events so this is a natural progression for the creepiest night of the year. The 2017 event, from October 27th to the 28th, features four scary stages, and 30 distinct environments with art installations. On the decks will be Afrojack, Baauer, Boys Noize, Datsik, DJ Snake, Duke Dumont, Flosstradamus, Loudpvck, Nero, R3hab, Skream, Slushii, Tiësto, Zedd and more.

– Freak Night 2017

Location: Seattle, Washington
More info: http://freaknightfestival.com

Meanwhile on October 27th, 2017 Seattle will be getting their freak on at the Wamu Theater for Freak Night Festival 2017. The headliners include a DJ set by Justice as well as a mystery guest who may or may not be super cool. Also included in the lineup are Adventure Club, Borgore, Dash Berlin, Benny Benassi, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (TEED) and others. VIP passes and tables are available, which include a complimentary Freak Night t-shirt, free coat check and artist meet and greets based upon availability!

– Cemetery of Sound 2017 w/ Deadmau5

cemetery of sound 2017 flyer

Location: Calgary, Alberta
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/922518704554505/

The 8th annual Cemetery of Sound in Calgary, Alberta will star Deadmau5. The superstar DJ is lumping it in with his “Lots of Shows in a Row Tour” this fall. He will be bringing the new and improved Cube 2.1 along for the ride too. The updated cube is larger than the old one, and has state-of-the-art LED panels with brand new graphics to enjoy. Check out these warm Halloween costumes that are still pretty slutty for outfit inspiration, because it’s cold in Canada.

Cover photo by Insomniac Events.