Splash House is just around the corner, meaning it’s about to get wet and wild in the desert. The renowned Palm Springs pool party brings ravers together to relive the excitement and joy of their childhood dog days of summer with the added perks of being a grown-up. On August 10 and 11th and August 17th and 18th, Splash House is delivering an energy-packed house music marathon featuring all-day pool parties at the Renaissance, the Saguaro, and the Margaritaville resorts, as well as an afterparty that will take place at Plam Springs’s Air Museum-turned-rave cave.
The lineup features dozens of artists, including iconic headliners like Alesso, Gorgon City, and The Blessed Madonna. Ravers who love to lean into the party spirit can even compete in creative games like balcony decorating contests.
As with all marathons, coming well-prepared is essential to making the most out of this experience, and a charged mental and physical battery will go a long way in making it through a weekend full of dancing under the sun. The following poolside essentials will help you keep cool in the heat and stay light on your feet at Splash House 2024.
Poolside Basics To Keep Your Feet Bouncing
During a day full of dancing, splashing, and party-hopping, it’s easy to forget about taking care of yourself, but long hours of heat and sun exposure can make a good day go bad quickly. That’s why it’s best to keep the basics on hand: Earplugs and waterproof sunscreen are a must, and bringing a hat or parasol is an easy way to give your skin a break from the sun whenever needed. Dehydration occurs faster in arid desert air, so drinking water is also critical. Keeping some water-soluble electrolyte packets on hand is an easy way to boost hydration. It’s also easy to forget about washing your hands after splashing around in the pool, so keeping some hand sanitizer or wipes around is also a good idea.
Finally, though its necessity is unfortunate, carrying Narcan or Naloxone is an integral part of responsible raving. Most of these essential items are small enough to carry in a fanny pack or an average drybag, and having them easily accessible can make a big difference in staying safe and comfortable at the rave.
The All-Day, All-Night Checklist
Splash House is a day-into-night event, and exploring all three resorts requires some commuting, so planning your wardrobe for comfort is key. Keeping an extra swimsuit and additional layers handy for each day is best, as temperatures can drop significantly in the Palm Springs evenings. Wearing or keeping a supportive pair of shoes is also essential, especially for those commuting to the Air Museum afterparties. It’s also an excellent idea to bring a cooling towel or mister fan to beat the heat. If that sounds like “too much stuff” to carry, worry not; lockers are available for rent on-site.
Now, on to the fun stuff. Splash House is all about play, and attendees can lean into the spirit by bringing along playful items. Toys, trinkets, Kandi to trade with other ravers, and a floatie (as long as it’s under 4’x4’ in size limit ) are good examples. If your group wants to step things up creatively, consider planning a theme everyone can dress to, or if staying on-site, the crew can go all-out on balcony decorating (prizes may be involved).
A Mindful “Battle Plan” For The Win
With the list of physical poolside essentials all checked off, a few last housekeeping hacks should be considered to help you head into the weekend with an easy mind. Time flies when you’re having fun—especially in the sun, so pacing is critical. This means drinking responsibly, eating at least one meal during the day, stretching, and giving your nervous system a break occasionally–it can be as simple as taking a dip to the room or the hotel lobby for a few minutes to decompress throughout the day.
Coordinating plans with the whole group beforehand also helps ensure a smooth weekend. Those sharing a room on-site with friends should remember that the festivities often extend long after the official setlist is over. Many people host afterparties in their rooms, so each group should discuss whether they wish to participate. Additionally, it’s always a good idea to mull over an exit strategy if your group is commuting to the festival from an off-site hotel or Airbnb.
As with any festival, Splash House is where people gather for many of the same reasons, and having a good time is all about sharing the space. “Please” and “excuse me” go a long way when moving through a crowd. Respect and kind behavior beget respect and kind behavior in return. With these simple steps in place, the whole crew will be ready to jump right into the deep end! Additional details about the venue, shuttles, lineup, and logistics are available on the Splash House website.
Images by Jay Calderon, The Desert Sun
