TOGETHER WITH

Psychedelic or not, music festivals — and large gatherings, more broadly — can be a wonderfully spiritual experience, where ideas, culture, and emotion are stripped down to their very core, and few things are considered taboo. (As long as it’s safe, of course.) While the source material for today’s festival infrastructure can be traced back to Rhode Island’s now iconic Newport Jazz Festivals in the early ’50s, today’s concerts would be almost unrecognizable to Dizzy Gillespie and Ella Fitzgerald.

But music festivals weren't the only type of gathering shaping psychedelic culture. There were “Love-Ins,” where people showed up in parks to share music, free love, poetry, and psychedelics. There were “Be-Ins,” like the “Human Be-In” in Golden Gate Park, that drew thousands together to listen to speakers like Timothy Leary and Alan Ginsberg. There were Ken Kesey’s Acid Tests, where the Grateful Dead played while everyone dosed themselves into oblivion. While these gatherings might appear to be concerts or workshops on the surface, they were actually cultural experiments and places where people came together to test new ways of being and thinking, sharing music, ideas, and psychedelics.

In the decades since, that spirit hasn't disappeared. It has evolved, however. Many of today's festivals, large-scale parties, and gatherings pull directly from the radical, freeform nature of the ‘60s, while building something entirely new in the process. What started as people gathering in parks to share music, ideas, and psychedelics has expanded into immersive, large-scale experiences that blur the lines between art, performance, community, and environment. Whether it's a multi-day music festival or a temporary city rising out of the dust, the ethos remains the same: a creative space where people can step outside the ordinary and into another world entirely.

While many psychedelic events have tried and failed (cough–Fyre Fest*) to recreate an experience that allows attendees to truly escape into another realm, we compiled a list of gatherings that will give you the quintessential psychedelic gathering experience. Whether you’re a die-hard music festival-goer, new to the scene, or looking for an immersive, choose-your-own-adventure gathering, please note that many of the events featured below take place deep in nature, where you must bring your own supplies. Adhering to the “Leave no trace” policy is encouraged; practice harm reduction whenever possible, and research each festival or gathering’s policies before planning your experience. Remember, if you bring it in, take it home.

Frequency: Annual

Features: Music, art, workshops, and a strong focus on environmental sustainability.

What started as a community-led event in Colorado in 1972 has now grown into a global gathering emphasizing non-commercial, non-hierarchical values, freedom, and community. The annual gatherings are organized online, based on consensus decision-making, which fosters a sense of equality and community, setting it apart from similar festivals of its kind. 

The music and art at the gatherings are spontaneous and diverse, featuring drum circles, acoustic performances, and communal art-making. Sustainability is a core principle, and community kitchens operate on a donation basis without any “money” exchanged. The Rainbow Gathering is a beacon of community, inclusivity, and a return to the basics in an increasingly commercial and digitized world. It offers a breath of fresh air and a chance to reconnect with the earth and fellow humans meaningfully.

Frequency: Annual

Features: Music, art installations, spiritual workshops, and yoga.

Lightning in a Bottle transcends the typical festival experience, offering a myriad of creativity and wonder that operates non-stop for an (almost) exhaustive five full days. Situated just steps from the picturesque Buena Vista Lake in California’s high desert, LIB beckons attendees to traverse a realm where imagination reigns supreme. Every interaction is a canvas for spontaneous magic, a stage for the harmonious blend of art and music, and a forum for educational encounters that inspire change in the world.

In 2023, LIB celebrated its 20th anniversary by bringing the best electronic, hip-hop, pop, and Americana artists together over seven stages. With explosive performances pushing the boundaries of reality and what is possible, it’s no surprise that LIB Festival lineups are hot topics months in advance. 

Frequency: Annual

Features: Large-scale art installations, electronic music, panels, lectures, radical self-expression, community building, and immersive performances.

Okay, before you all freak out, we understand that it’s controversial to include Burning Man on this list because “it’s not a festival” and it’s also “not an event.” But, at the same time, it feels absolutely negligent to leave it off this list entirely because it is easily one of the most psychedelic events / places / festivals / gatherings / cities in the world. Yes, Burning Man transcends the traditional “festival” or “event” model, as it is a sprawling experimental city that rises for seven days in Nevada’s arid, alien Black Rock Desert. Nearly 100,000 people gather to co-create a fully realized, temporary metropolis, geared around creativity, connection, and self-reliance that manifests in towering art installations, intricately designed camps, and roaming mutant vehicles that transform the desert into a living, breathing canvas of creative imagination.

It's a place everyone must visit at least once before they die. Black Rock City is the spirit of acid personified. People often say New York is the “city that doesn't sleep,” but per capita, Black Rock City might actually hold that title. From sunrise to moonset, the event pulses with people truly living a Neptunian desert fantasy, loaded with days of side-quest adventures, bike riding, and whimsical discovery. You never know what lies just on the horizon. It could be a person making quesadillas from a grill that looks like an armadillo. It might be a man named Thumper pouring gin shots in people’s mouths. It could be a person in a top hat riding around on a mini motorized pig. It could be a circle of people holding dildos to the sky and singing in unison. Regardless of whether people are on drugs, everyone is on some kind of inherently psychedelic trip. But as the week unfolds, the energy builds towards the burning of the Man, a symbolic crescendo that blends spectacle and introspection. With its ever-evolving architecture, music, and human connection, the Burn continues to push the boundaries of what a city and event can be, leaving an imprint that lingers long after the dust settles.

Frequency: Annual, typically late July

Features: Electronic music, immersive stage design, art installations, and a strong focus on community and harm reduction.

Starting out as a small gathering on a family-run farm in British Columbia in 1998, Shambhala Music Festival has grown into one of North America’s most beloved independent festivals. Still held on the Salmo River Ranch, Shambhala brings thousands together each year for a fully immersive experience rooted in music, art, and connection.

Unlike many large-scale festivals, Shambhala remains entirely independent, with no corporate sponsorships and a strong emphasis on participation and safety. Known for its intricately designed stages, genre-spanning electronic music, and progressive approach to harm reduction, the festival offers an environment where creativity and care coexist. For many, it’s less about catching a lineup and more about stepping into a world that feels psychedelic, intentional, and expansive.

Frequency: Annually, every July 

Features: Family-friendly art, dancing, and performances.

The Oregon Country Fair isn’t your typical psychedelic festival—you don’t purchase expensive tickets to listen to PsyTrance all night. (Although, there’s certainly a lot of dancing and plenty of excellent music performances.) Instead, stop by for the day or find a camping spot or AirBnB nearby if you’d like to stick around. The fair began in 1969 in Veneta, Oregon, as a fundraiser for a local alternative school. In the decades since, it’s transformed into a three-day event filled with costumes, art, and performances. Whether you’re a family with kids, an art enthusiast, or a wanderer seeking connection, the Oregon Country Fair promises a journey that resonates long after the final curtain falls.

Frequency: Annually, February-March

Features: A wide array of music genres, large-scale art installations, and a spiritual undertone, offering spaces for meditation, yoga, and other spiritual practices.

Besides headlining acts like Bonobo and CloZee, Envision Fest goes beyond the festival to emphasize the importance of a holistic experience. Offering a space for personal growth, learning, and connection with like-minded individuals. This week-long event invites you to envision a better world and to foster a deeper connection with yourself, others, and the natural world.

Set against Costa Rica’s lush jungle playgrounds, attendees spend the week cultivating a harmonious environment, integrating eco-friendly initiatives, and promoting respect for the local environment and community. It offers a range of accommodations, including camping options that allow attendees to stay close to nature. If you decide to make the trek, you can find us lounging in paradise, surrounded by monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and lapas (macaws).

Frequency: Biennial, usually taking place over New Year’s Eve

Features: Cultural representations, indigenous ceremonies, artistic performances.

Craving white sand beaches, rich cultural experiences, and some of the best musical acts in the world? Look no further than Universo, a celebration of music, art, and spirit. It is a space where attendees can immerse themselves in various transformative experiences, from dancing to electronic music to engaging in workshops for the mind and body.

Roughly translated to mean Parallel Universe, everything from the music and people to the art installations that mark the festival grounds exist in harmonic bliss for nine days of celebration on Brazil’s picturesque Bahia coast. Since its birth more than 20 years ago, the concept of Universo Paralello has never been more current and indispensable. Everyone is invited to dive into this parallel reality—where the ritual of unity and love combine with the best music, resulting in a rare and unforgettable experience.

Frequency: Annually, usually in July or August

Features: Psytrance music, art installations, and workshops.

What began as a celebration of a solar eclipse in the summer of 1999 has become the largest global Gathering of the psy trance community. In the small village of Ozora, Hungary, the festival, known as 1 day in Goa, hosts renowned artists, entertainers, and art installations that foster communal involvement. It’s a gathering that celebrates psychedelic culture at its full spectrum, attracting people from all walks of life to celebrate music, art, and life.

Frequency: Biennial (every two years)

Features: Music, art installations, and an emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility.

At this global psychedelic festival, themes like radical love, social consciousness, and a dash of party life exist in perfect harmony. Since its inception in 1997, Boom Festival has continued to push the boundaries of festival culture. It offered Portugal its first glimpse into the sounds of Goa trance and psytrance in the ’90s. Boom Festival has continued diversifying over the years to include a wide range of music genres that attract nearly 50,000 attendees from more than 150 countries. 

In addition to its vibrant music and art scene, the Boom Festival stands as a beacon of sustainability and community. It not only offers a platform for various artists and musicians but also fosters a space for intellectual growth through panel discussions and lectures. The festival has a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, implementing eco-friendly initiatives and encouraging attendees to continue to minimize their environmental footprint long after they’ve left the festival grounds.

As Boom surpasses its quarter-century of existence, the event looks to deepen its vision and reinvent itself to be in the service of a truly life-changing experience. If we’re being honest, we already started packing our bags when we heard it was in Portugal.  

Frequency: Annual

Features: electronic music, art, installations, theater, and immersive performances.

What began in 1997 on a former Soviet military airfield in Eastern Germany has grown into one of Europe's most iconic underground gatherings. Held at Müritz Airpark in Lärz, fusion brings together thousands of people each year for a fully immersive experience rooted in art, music, and community.

Often compared to a European take on Burning Man, Fusion rejects many traditional festival norms. There are no major corporate sponsors, no VIP sections, and no widely promoted lineup. Instead, attendees are encouraged to explore a sprawling landscape of installations and performances that unfold organically over several days. With its emphasis on participation, creativity, and collective experience, Fusion is a space where the outside world fades, and a choose-your-own-adventure trip becomes reality.

Frequency: Biannually

Features: Psychtrance raves, art, performances, camping.

If pulsating beats and an immersive trance experience is what you’re craving, Cape Town’s Organik festivals are here to satiate your appetite. Situated amidst the breathtaking landscapes just outside of South Africa’s capital city, Organik offers more than just music; it’s a transformative journey for the senses. Whether you’re swaying to the hypnotic rhythms at Gaian Dream or losing yourself in the ethereal beats of Love Project, Organik promises an experience that transcends the ordinary festival itinerary.

For those who crave an even more intense rave experience, Cape Town has more to offer. The Future Frequency Festival, with its cutting-edge electronic music and avant-garde rave performances, might just be the adrenaline rush you’re looking for.

Frequency: Annual

Features: Large-scale art installations, immersive performances, and radical self-expression.

Out in the middle of the Tankwa Karoo desert, a temporary city of 10,000 to 15,000 people rises each year that's built entirely by the people who come to inhabit it. That city is AfrikaBurn. Since 2007, it's grown into a fully immersive environment, where art, music, and community take over. There are no vendors and no corporate sponsors. People aren't just standing around waiting for shows or performances to start. Everyone's a part of the event in some way. Everything you see, from massive sculptures is rising out of the dust to intricately built camps, and whatever random performance you just stumbled onto, is created by the people there.

It's the kind of place where the line between Artist! and audience disintegrates quickly. One minute you're wandering through the desert, the next year part of something you didn't plan for. Days blur long stretches of exploration and nights lean into fire, music, and moments that feel slightly unreal in the best way. By the time the burns happen, it's obvious this isn't something you just attend. You're in it, whether you want to be or not.

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