Beyond Wonderland 2025: Beyond Magicalđ
This was my third year in a row attending Beyond Wonderland SoCal, and somehow, each year just keeps getting better! From the whimsical stages to the unreal energy of the crowd, this festival never fails to create pure magic.
This year was a little different because my group drove to the festival, and dealing with parking was a bit of an adventure in itself. Some of the lots were already full, so we had to hunt for a good spot. But in true Insomniac fashion, they were able to make that experience fun with light-up carts driving around, picking people up and taking them into the festival. It was such a fun way to start the night!
Day 1: Bass, Totems, and Unexpected Reunionsâ¨
We kicked off the festival with Dr. Fresch, Wooli, and Excision on our must-see list! When we got to Mad Hatterâs Castle, we were surprised to find that it wasnât too packed yet, so we easily got a good spot. One of my absolute favorite things about festivals is running into friends unexpectedly, and Beyond Wonderland delivered. Right as we got into the crowd for Dr. Fresch, I ran into a whole group of my Arizona friends. We traded kandi, caught up, and had the best time vibing together. Then, I spotted a familiar Baby Yoda totem in the distance and realized it was my friend from Lightning in a Bottle last year! Totems are seriously one of the best parts of Insomniac festivals. Not only do they let people express themselves, but they also make it so much easier to find friends in a massive crowd. This was the best way to start the festival and made me so happy because I didnât even plan on seeing them!
Wooliâs set was everything I hoped for. I got a shoulder ride during it, and the view combined with the music was such a surreal moment, and it truly made my whole night. We had so much space to dance, which made the set even better. Then it was time for Excision at Queenâs Domain, where we were able to get into the VIP section. He threw down some insanely heavy bass, and when he dropped Titans, one of my favorite songs, the energy in the crowd went absolutely wild. It was the perfect way to close out Day 1.
But, of course, the night wasnât over yet. We headed straight to the after-party at Sea of Wonder, where âNight Tripâ was taking over with nonstop house music. Every artist absolutely delivered, and I couldâve danced until sunrise.
Day 2: Six Hours of House Music Magicđ
Day 2 was all about house music for me. I was at Caterpillarâs Garden for six hours straight, and I have zero regrets. We kicked things off with Odd Mob, whose upbeat, vibey set had the whole crowd moving. After that, we took a break to explore the festival, stopping by a Mad Tea Party and stumbling upon hidden doors that led to secret rooms. We even found the White Rabbit and some characters on stilts which felt like we had stepped into a fairytale.
Eventually, I ended up back at the house stage on a little side quest, which turned out to be the best decision of the night. I caught the last few minutes of Joshwaâs set, and every track was a banger, setting the perfect tone for Deeper Purpose. I got super close to the stage, made some new friends, and danced the entire set. Thankfully, Caterpillarâs Garden was spacious enough to move freely, so I could dance my way through the crowd while still finding familiar faces.
At one point, after spending some time alone, I ran into my friends from Decadence, and it was such an amazing moment. Being able to vibe with them for the rest of the night made everything even more special. I love the randomness of festivals and running into people unexpectedly always makes the experience that much more magical.
San Pachoâs set brought an insane Latin house vibe that kept the energy high and when he dropped his Baby Got Back remix we were absolutely grooving. Then came my favorite set of the entire festival: Walker & Royce b2b VNSSA. Their hypnotic beats and groovy basslines were unreal. I donât think I stopped dancing the entire set and I did not want it to end!
Beyond the music, the entire setup of Caterpillarâs Garden was stunning. Insomniac really outdid themselves with the design because it actually felt like stepping into a real-life Wonderland, surrounded by vibrant colors, oversized flowers, and intricate details that made the stage feel alive.
If youâve never been to Beyond Wonderland, do yourself a favor and get tickets next year. The level of creativity and production that Insomniac brings to this festival is unreal, and the energy of the crowd makes it even more special. Itâs a place where youâll dance the night away and get lost in a world that feels like pure magic.
Until next year, Beyond!đŚ