We couldn’t resist the pull of the world’s biggest Halloween festival. Two nights to slip into our wildest costumes and dive headfirst into the chaos of Escape Halloween? Say less. Our crew, a mix of Escape veterans and first-timers, came to check out Insomniac’s otherworldly production at the NOS Events Center. This year had us especially curious, with promises of new experiences like the Wicked Woods stage, a revamped layout, and the late addition of a Boiler Room takeover. Escape Halloween is always a gamble, especially given the holiday, the location, and the crowd it draws, but we were ready to see what was in store for this year’s rendition.
Vibes: C+
The crowd was electric, alive in its chaotic way. Sure, a few rowdy moments crept in, but the energy on the dance floor remained high. We brought our best friend to her first rave, and she felt the PLUR immediately. Kind strangers offered her trinkets, pulled her into their circle for sets, and always returned her safely to our crew afterward. That kind of instant connection makes an Insomniac festival so unique. We noticed that classic kandi trading felt like it was missing this year, almost like trinkets replaced it. Are trinkets slowly becoming the new Kandi now? People were surprisingly respectful, saying “excuse me” and giving us room to move at stages, a breath of fresh air.
The real obstacle came when moving between stages. People weren’t paying attention, bumping into us as we navigated the crowds. It’s the kind of careless energy that can quickly turn dangerous, and to be honest, it almost did for us. A couple of fights broke out, too, but that’s nearly inevitable when you mix crowds, alcohol, and a Halloween festival like Escape, where non-ravers often show up just to party. Still, despite those moments, the vibe survived.
Production: A
Honestly, this part of Escape Halloween hit the hardest this year. OH…MY. The production was on another level, the new map layout was a game-changer, and the lighting design was flawless—everything from subtle color shifts to mind-bending effects that left us wanting more. A massive spider was hanging above The Feeding Grounds stage, and it felt so real like it was “hanging” with us, catching a set too. I am still wondering if it has a name yet.
The Voodoo Village and Crazy Town areas were like alternate realities—hidden pockets of frightening festivities that kept us immersed and discovering. Casa Bacardi was lit, no question. Latin music filled the air, and the upstairs bar gave major rooftop vibes right in the middle of everything. The Cauldron stage hosted by Boiler Room was scorching, but with its warehouse feel, that iconic 360-degree setup inside the NOS building gave every set a raw, visceral energy we could feel in our bones.
Once an iconic home to Factory 93, the Sewer District now belongs entirely to Bassrush. The stage felt like an eerie EDC Circuit Grounds with its new home in the speedway. With Factory 93 moving to Wicked Woods, there was more room for house and techno enthusiasts. While the production wasn’t as standout as some other stages, Factory 93 fans reunited with our beloved diamond disco ball, shining just as brilliantly as ever.
Saying goodbye to the Grimm Stage after over half a decade hit harder than expected. That towering skeleton had become a symbol of the festival, and letting go of it stung more than we realized. But that sting also brings excitement and anticipation for the next chapter of Escape’s main stage.
Music: B+
Escape’s lineup was solid this year, featuring five massive and three more miniature stages, including Casa Bacardi and Danse Macabre. These smaller stages offered intimate sets from big DJs like OMNOM and a taste of LA’s underground with local artists like Tattoopudge. Friday night was heavy on hardstyle—Rebekah was a standout, as was Angerfist, who closed out The Feeding Grounds stage hosted by Basscon. The Wubz were also stacked, with Emorfik, LEVEL UP, and Wooli throwing down. Our baby raver bestie couldn’t get enough of Alison Wonderland’s set.
Saturday leaned into techno, so we headed straight to the new Wicked Woods stage, hosted by Factory 93. Patrick Mason impressed, and Ben Klock b2b Marcel Dettmann was unmissable. The Boiler Room stage turned the NOS building into a gritty techno warehouse, and though it was scorching, Clara Cuvé’s set made it worth it. Honestly, we voted her the best set of the weekend. Some of our crew checked out Ludacris, but they didn’t last long—the crowd at his set was a bit too rowdy for them. Still, we appreciated the attempt to diversify the lineup, and we’d love for Insomniac to continue making these types of bookings at their more prominent festivals. We wrapped up with Cloonee’s house vibes and Nina Kraviz. Escape has seen some legendary sets (like the Drumcode takeover in 2021), and while this year’s lineup was satisfactory, we’d love to see hosts curate even more profound takeovers in the future.
Venue: B-
What can we say? It’s the NOS Center—San Bernardino, California, after all. Parking’s always a roll of the dice, and this time, we parked at a random person’s house who was selling spots in their driveway for cash. It felt a little sketchy, but they kept our car safe, so it worked out—though we wouldn’t recommend it to everyone since you never know. We went through the usual unwelcoming protesters—same old, same old.
The NOS can get overcrowded, but we didn’t feel as cramped or unsafe as in past situations. We believe the new layout and stages helped with that, giving the venue a bit of a redemption arc. Still, there’s something nostalgic about the NOS. Despite its flaws, it’s hosted so many raves over the years, and there’s a specific energy about the place, even if not everyone’s a fan.
Overall: B
Escape was a rollercoaster of unforgettable moments. From the jaw-dropping production to the significant changes that made this year stand out, it was a festival that left an everlasting impression. The NOS Center, despite its flaws, continued to hold a nostalgic charm, while the new layout and extra stages helped alleviate overcrowding. The music delivered a solid mix of genres, with standout sets from Angerfist, Alison Wonderland, Wooli, Clara Cuvé, and even Ludacris. Vibes were high, and PLUR energy was felt throughout, even though a few rowdy moments and chaotic crowd movement could’ve been avoided. Still, the community and production shined through, making this Halloween one for the books. Escape is heading in the right direction, and we can’t wait until next year.
