Where to go next after Electric Forest
You went to Electric Forest and came back changed — now you want festivals that hit that same mix of forest nights, immersive art, camping and genre-hopping lineups. We scanned the r/electricforest thread and compiled the community’s top recommendations and quick tips for picking your next escape. These picks cover West Coast options for a California native and farther-flung events if youre ready to travel.
Top picks festival-goers compare to Electric Forest
- Lightning in a Bottle (California) — The closest California cousin: transformational arts, camping, late-night electronic sets and deep production from the Do LaB crew. If you loved EFs art and wellness village, LIB is a natural next stop.
- Bonnaroo (Tennessee) — Big, soulful, camping-heavy and genre-diverse. Bonnaroo delivers late-night sets, strong community vibes and a massive farm-to-festival scene that EF fans often appreciate.
- Suwannee Hulaween (Florida) — Woods + camping + eclectic lineups. Hulaween channels that forest energy with more jam, funk and Halloween-themed theatrics in a low-key, nature-first setting.
- Summer Camp Music Festival (Illinois) — Jam-rooted, multi-genre, strong camping culture and tight community. Expect long sets, repeat artists and that friendly, come-as-you-are atmosphere.
- Shambhala Music Festival (British Columbia) — If youre into electronic-focused stages tucked into a forest, Shambhalas production and community feel make it a favorite among fans who want forest nights with serious sound systems.
- Lost Lands (Ohio) — Heavier on bass music than EF, but the immersive stages in a heavily wooded campground make for epic night experiences. Bring earplugs if youre expecting mellow beats.
- Symbiosis Gathering (California & West Coast dates) — Art installations, immersive stages and a strong emphasis on visual and transformational arts; a good choice if the art-scene side of EF pulled you in.
- Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival (Florida) — Multi-genre with art, healing spaces and large-scale production. Not a forest, but it scratches the same curiosity for diverse lineups and immersive programming.
- Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) — If the EDM nights at EF were your favorite, EDC’s production is on another level — massive stages, lights and a party-first crowd. Different vibe, same late-night energy.
Quick tips from festival veterans
- Match vibe, not just lineup — look for camping + art installations + late-night programming if EFs atmosphere is what you want to recreate.
- Size matters — smaller transformational fests feel more intimate; larger fests offer huge production but a different community pace.
- Travel logistics — as a Cali local, start with Lightning in a Bottle or Symbiosis; for East/Midwest forest vibes, plan for Bonnaroo, Summer Camp or Shambhala and stack travel early.
- Pack for weather and late nights — layers, a hydration plan and a good campsite setup go a long way.
- Give each fest its time — every festival has its own rhythm. Go in with an open mind and treat it like a new scene to explore.
Electric Forest opens a door to festival culture thats hard to close — happy hunting. Whether you want more forest nights, heavier bass or even deeper art installations, theres a next-level weekend waiting. — Extra Chill Festival Wire
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/ElectricForest/comments/1nt1ton/good_festivals_to_go_to_that_compare_to_ef/