It was a no-brainer for us to kick off our 2025 festival season with Beyond Wonderland SoCal. No other festival in Southern California fully embraces its theme quite like this one. When you step into the NOS Events Center, you’re transported into a surreal fantasy world that grows bigger and more immersive each year. While you might show up for your favorite DJs, you quickly realize it’s just as much about discovering what’s new and losing yourself in the scenery.
Beyond Wonderland isn’t just a festival; it’s an experience. The production, performers, and small theatrical moments blend seamlessly with the music, making it easy to forget you’re in San Bernardino. In a scene often focused on stages and set times, Beyond proves that the most magical moments happen when you fully immerse yourself. So down the rabbit hole we went.
Production: ★★★★☆
Beyond Wonderland 2025’s production was nothing short of a visual masterpiece. The Caterpillar’s Garden stage stood out with its vibrant neon glow and trippy tapestries, perfectly setting the tone for Friday’s Lost in Dreams takeover. The sizable LED screen and lasers brought the space to life, creating a surreal atmosphere that matched the ethereal vibe of the event.
Other stages, like Queen’s Domain, were just as visually impressive. This monumental stage, with its exceptional sound quality and royal theme, was the festival’s focal point. Meanwhile, Mad Hatter’s Castle added some pyrotechnic flair, and at the Looking Glass stage, the powerful bass perfectly complemented the dynamic sounds of the Factory 93 techno lineup.
The Mad Tea Party area felt like stepping into the heart of Alice in Wonderland. The whimsical design and roaming characters like the Cheshire Cat and Mad Hatter kept the theme strong. LED mushrooms and characters hosting impromptu tea parties brought the Wonderland fantasy to life in a truly magical way. These in-between moments hit the mark this year. A Mad Hatter-hosted tea party and a gogo dancer dressed as the Cheshire Cat moved hypnotically on a rooftop overlooking one of the walkways, transforming a simple pass-through into a scene. Something or someone was drawing you deeper into the story everywhere you turned.
Art installations also added to the festival’s charm. With its fire-spitting display, the flower tower behind Queen’s Domain created a stunning attraction. The clock tower at the Wonder Court food area, along with photo ops like the classic Beyond Bridge and The Keyhole, where attendees could snap silly pictures putting their heads through a floral frame, added a playful touch. The Ferris wheel and Wave Swinger rides offered a lighthearted break for those looking for fun, though long lines kept many from hopping on.
The production was totally on point. The only improvements we could envision were that the lighting and lasers across the stages were impressive, but the visuals didn’t always match the grand design. Additionally, the sound at the Cheshire Woods stage could’ve been boosted to match the intensity of other areas.
Vibes: ★★★☆☆
Beyond Wonderland 2025 was an electrifying blend of pure joy, a hint of chaos, and plenty of PLUR. During the day, the vibe was lighthearted, filled with laughter as festival-goers soaked up the magic around them. People fully embraced the theme, dressing up as mushrooms, Queens of Hearts, and vibrant flowers. The crowd radiated positivity, trading kandi and dancing freely. Whimsical characters roamed the grounds, adding a touch of charm, while the overall atmosphere felt welcoming and inclusive.
As night fell, the energy shifted. Stages like Mad Hatter’s Castle were packed out, and the crowd’s intensity grew. While some areas felt a bit chaotic, the key was finding moments of peace. A quiet spot to reset was all you needed to recharge and soak in the magic again. The festival’s production did an excellent job of creating immersive spaces where you could lose yourself in the fantasy but also find a place to step back and reconnect.
Even with the overwhelming moments, the spirit of Beyond Wonderland stayed true to its roots. It reminded you to stay in the moment, find your center, and stay grounded. Small pauses and connecting with new friends helped keep the essence of PLUR alive. As the festival grows, having dedicated spaces to teach PLUR values could further enhance the sense of community and respect, ensuring kindness remains a core part of the experience.
Venue: ★★★☆☆
The NOS Center plays a huge role in the unique experience of Beyond Wonderland. The sprawling layout offers space to roam and hop between stages, allowing festival-goers to get lost in the fantasy world. The multiple stages spread across the venue make it fun to explore, and with the festival running until 2am, there’s plenty of time to experience the full range of performances.
Things can get a little cramped as the crowd builds, especially around the busiest stages. Open areas can feel packed, and navigating the crowd during peak times can be tricky. While it’s part of the festival’s charm, it can feel overwhelming as the night goes on if you like a bit more breathing room.
Parking is always a bit of a hassle here. Free general parking is available in nearby lots, but these fill up quickly, leaving you with a mile-long walk unless you arrive early. There’s also the option to buy a parking pass for around $150, but not everybody can fit that into their budget. If you’re willing to wait, park-and-ride shuttles are available, but expect long lines and waits of up to an hour. Other options, like shuttles from downtown areas and Metrolink routes, weren’t explored by us, but they could be worth considering.
Despite the parking issues and occasional crowd congestion, the NOS Center remains a solid venue for Beyond Wonderland’s high-energy, immersive experience.
Music: ★★★★☆
Beyond Wonderland 2025 was an absolute treat for dance music fans. Hardstyle took center stage this year, with Basscon locking in a rare hardstyle set from Showtek and Ben Nicky vs. Darren Styles, which had the crowd in a frenzy. Charlie Sparks and Reinier Zonneveld added their hardstyle-techno fusion, keeping everybody going hard to high BPMs.
Bass fans weren’t left out, with sets from Wooli, Excision, Zeds Dead, and Illenium keeping the wubs flowing. But it wasn’t just the heavy hitters that stood out. Wuki’s house set at Queen’s Domain provided a refreshing contrast, bringing groovy vibes that had the crowd moving at a completely different pace. It was the perfect way to break up the harder sounds.
Drum & bass also had its moment, with 1991 and Culture Shock B2B ÆON:MODE delivering standout sets. Meanwhile, opening acts like JIA with a proper techno set to warm up The Looking Glass stage and art car sets like DKT B2B Goldbrush at the Electrik Seoul takeover added extra layers to the lineup.
The standout of the weekend, however, was 999999999. Their signature acid sound captivated the crowd, transforming any classic into a high-energy banger that kept everyone on their toes.
From hardstyle to house and drum and bass to techno, Beyond Wonderland 2025 ensured no one left disappointed. The diversity of the music reminded us how versatile the dance music scene really is.
Food and Beverage: ★★★☆☆
Beyond Wonderland 2025 delivered a solid variety of food and beverage options that kept festival-goers fueled throughout the event. Vegan and vegetarian options were available, and water refill stations made staying hydrated simple. Our go-to was Hibachi Express, but we couldn’t resist grabbing some deep-fried Oreos and a couple of musubis to keep us going. The poke bowls, sushi, and teriyaki offered lighter, fresher options for those needing something more substantial.
Angeleno’s Wood-Fired Pizza was another highlight. The scent alone made it impossible to pass by without taking a closer look. There was alligator sausage on a stick for the adventurous eaters, which we couldn’t help but be intrigued by.
While we didn’t get to try everything, the food scene at Beyond Wonderland was well-rounded and catered to different cravings. We would’ve loved to see something more mind-blowing, but our options were still satisfactory. We refilled our water bottles frequently and treated ourselves to refreshing aguas frescas from a cart serving them up along with fresh fruit. Overall, the festival’s food options were a great mix of comfort and creativity, making sure there was something for everyone to enjoy.
Overall
Beyond Wonderland 2025 was an unforgettable trip. From the mind-blowing production to the carefully curated lineup, the festival took us through a surreal world that blended creativity, music, and immersive experiences. Every corner of the NOS Center felt alive, and the vibes were pure magic. While the crowds could get overwhelming and parking was a bit of a hassle, the experience was worth every bit of the chaos. The diversity of music, the whimsy of the art installations, and the immersive energy created a space where everyone felt like they were down the rabbit hole. Beyond Wonderland 2025 truly brought the fantasy to life in ways we’ll talk about long after the festival.
Featured images provided by Beyond Wonderland
