The Gorge giveth and the Gorge taketh, but that’s what makes every trip there memorable. It’s a special place that makes you work for the fun and the memories. It becomes as much of a character in your festival adventure as the artists and crowd do. Whether you’re staring in awe at the sunset over the mainstage or feeling your legs burning while making that long walk from the mainstage pit back to your camp after dancing in the heat, the dust, and rain all day long. Suwannee Music Park, sequestered in rural Northern Florida, shares many similarities with the Gorge. It takes some time and work to get there, but once there, you fall into it completely. It’s once again time to take another trip into the swamp for the 13th annual Hulaween celebration at Suwanee Music Park, Live Oak, Florida. Spirit Lake will once again take center stage for four days of music, art, nature, and revelry on October 22-25. Let the LED-soaked old-growth forests and laser-flooded riverlands haunt your dreams forever.
A Genre Blending Lineup
Hulaween supports every music genre from indie rock to dubstep. This year’s lineup was already filled with talent before adding KETTAMA, The Warren Haynes Incident, Frost Children (DJ Set), and Dean Turnley, alongside a special addition to EOTO’s performance with Scott Metzger (Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, LaMP) on guitar and Kyle Hollingsworth of The String Cheese Incident on keys. The lineup also features some of the biggest names in bass music like Excision, Crankdat, Ahee, Heyz, and Steller. Of The Trees must get a “Grassy Terrain Boost” performing at a venue entrenched within a wetland forest, like a dubstep Bulbasaur.
Hulaween’s owner, Michael Berg, spoke to EDM.com about creating an immersive festival experience. A big part of his philosophy is giving artists extended sets to create greater immersion as the night goes on. Artists like Pretty Lights and Excision will shine like moonlight during an extended two-hour set. This year’s takeovers include Green Velvet’s LaLaLand invasion; Of The Trees entangling Memory Palace, and expect big surprises once again at the Def: Off Limits stage. Last year, Tape B and Disco Lines performed a B2B set that was the talk of the swamp.
Spirit Lake
Hulaween’s organizers listened to feedback and brought back the Spirit Lake 360º immersive art walk experience. The art installations selected are meant to be as impactful as the lineup itself. Every year, Hulaween gives attendees the chance to submit applications to build their own art installations in Spirit Lake. Expect anything from neon cathedrals, lasers dancing across the marshy meadowns, and whatever witchy shit is going on in the picture below.
Tickets and Camping $$$
Four-day GA, GA+, and VIP passes will have access to the campgrounds from 8 am ET on Thursday, October 22nd until noon ET on Monday, October 26th.
- 4-Day GA – $469.99
- 4-Day GA+ – $699.99 – Adds access to additional vendors, lounges, access lines, and an exclusive concierge.
- 4-Day GA w/ Glamping – $2,039.99
- 4-Day GA w/ RV – $4.939.99
There are multiple VIP Options available as well. Packages are starting to sell out, so plan accordingly.
- 4-Day VIP (Mummy) – $1212.02
- 4-Day VIP (Werewolf) – $1633.38
- 4-Day VIP Glamping (Witch) – $4945.42
- 4-Day VIP RV for 4 (Vampire) – $7011.54
- 4-Day VIP Cabin or On-Site RV (Zombie) – $10,633.63
There are several add-ons available, such as car passes and early access vouchers. Check Hulaween’s official website for more details.
Traveling and FAQs
A four-day camping festival in rural Florida requires much planning, especially if you’re flying in from out of state. Read the FAQs thoroughly on Hulaween’s website, as there are many. Download the Hulaween app and take screenshots of any vital information just in case you lose reception. Rural amphitheatres throw unique obstacles in your path like weather swings and extreme darkness. Preparing a thorough packing list with items like rain gear and flashlights can legitimately save the trip. I also recommend their Instagram page for helpful tips from years past.
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My name is Jonathan, and I'm a writer, journalist, and photographer. I've been going to concerts and music festivals since 2007 and I started covering them professionally in 2017 after I graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from CWU.
I've written for publications such as Respect My Region, the Seattle Met, and CBR.com. I've covered festivals like Bass Canyon, Bumbershoot, and Capitol Hill Block Party, and interviewed artists such as Sol, Dave B, Big Gigantic, KJ Sawka, Vampa, Jeanie, and Virtual Riot.