RISE Festival’s expanded artistic vision is defined by large-scale installations from three internationally celebrated creative studios: HYBYCOZO, Whitaker Studio, and This is Loop. These dynamic works transform the desert into a living, breathing gallery. Infused with light, movement, and interactivity, they invite festival goers into spaces of shared awe, introspection, and play. With The Path, RISE Festival deepens its commitment to peace and possibility — creating not just an event, but a communal pilgrimage through art, memory, and the human spirit.
RISE is more than a festival—it’s a place to release, to reconnect, and to rise together under the stars.
Adding to the festival’s immersive experience is a powerhouse musical lineup featuring global icons RÜFÜS DU SOL, Calvin Harris, and John Mayer, each performing in one of Earth’s most awe-inspiring desert landscapes.
"This year, we wanted the experience of arriving at RISE to feel like crossing a threshold," says RISE Art Director John Connors. "The Path is the first step into the world of RISE—a moment to slow down, take in the surroundings, and enter a shared space that invites curiosity, reflection, and hope."
The Path: A Curated Ritual of Arrival
As participants traverse "The Path," they encounter the RISE Meditation Halos—open-air wooden pergolas adorned with flowing linen and equipped with daybeds. These tranquil spaces offer a moment of stillness and breath, preparing guests for the transformative experiences ahead.
Photo courtesy of RISE Festival
RISE Meditation Halos — beautifully designed wooden pergolas outfitted with daybeds and soft linen drapes, offering guests a tranquil space to relax, breathe, and meditate in the breathtaking Mojave Desert landscape.
New and Returning Artistic Experiences
The journey continues with awe-inspiring art installations by renowned artists such as HYBYCOZO, Whitaker Studio, and This is Loop. These large-scale sculptures and kinetic pieces are designed to inspire wonder and introspection, enhancing the festival's immersive atmosphere.
"Trillion" by HYBYCOZO, the collaborative studio of artists Serge Beaulieu and Yelena Filipchuk, features monumental geometric sculptures illuminated from within, casting intricate patterns of light and shadow across the desert landscape. Their luminous geometric sculptures cast intricate shadows across the sand, echoing the festival’s deeper themes of harmony, introspection, and awe.
"Diamonds on the Desert," another HYBYCOZO creation, showcases five golden sculptures modeled after pyrite crystal formations, standing up to 12 feet tall and reflecting the Mojave sun by day.
Photo courtesy of RISE Festival
“Diamonds on the Desert” by HYBYCOZO – A collection of five geometric sculptures inspired by pyrite crystal formations. The largest stands over 12 feet tall. By day, their golden forms echo the desert’s natural beauty; by night, internal lighting casts intricate patterns that transform the landscape into a luminous, meditative field.
The RISE team has also contributed original pieces that expand the storytelling of the event. "Mirrors of Reflection," composed of 24 mirrored towers surrounding a central poetic monolith, creates a space of stillness and inner focus.
Whitaker Studio's "Desert Winds" presents kinetic wind sculptures that move fluidly with the desert breeze, bringing a living dimension to the art experience.
Photo courtesy of RISE Festival
“Desert Winds” by Whitaker Studio – Lyman Whitaker brings his celebrated kinetic wind sculptures—elegant, meditative works that dance with the desert breeze— to RISE, reminding visitors of their elemental bond with the natural world.
"Moons on the Horizon" brings two massive glowing steel moons to the desert's edge, offering a contemplative visual metaphor for cycles of transformation.
UK-based collective This is Loop introduces "Pulse," an energetic, kinetic light installation designed to spark movement and play, aligning perfectly with RISE's celebratory energy.
Photo courtesy of RISE Festival
“Pulse” by This is Loop – The UK-based collective delivers kinetic, playful installations of light and energy that spark curiosity, joy, and movement—perfectly aligned with RISE’s communal spirit.
For those seeking a share-worthy moment, the installation "RISE HIGHER" — four monumental letters emerging from the sand—offers both a photo opportunity and a grounding reminder of the event's purpose.
At the heart of RISE Festival is the Sky Lantern Ceremony, where thousands of lanterns, each carrying personal hopes, dreams, fears, and intentions, are released into the night sky. This collective act of wonder unites friends, family, and strangers in reverence, awe, and a powerful sense of collective accomplishment.
Following the lantern release, the festival transitions to "The Horizon," a space dedicated to celebration and dance. Here, attendees can enjoy live music from talented artists around the world, immersing themselves in a magical dance of light and sound under the stars.
A World-Class Musical Lineup
FRIDAY OCT. 3
RÜFÜS DU SOL
Ben Bonmer, LP Giobbi, Emmit Fenn, Coco & Breezy, Eduardo Castillo
SATURDAY OCT. 4
Calvin Harris
Plus SPECIAL GUEST to be announced
Oliver Heldens, RY X, RIVO, Carrie Keller
SUNDAY OCT. 5
John Mayer
GOOSE, Elderbrook DJ Set, Patrick Watson, Forester, City Of The Sun
RISE Festival 2025 offers multiple ticketing options, including Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond tiers, allowing attendees to customize their experience. Each ticket includes access to all art installations, two biodegradable lanterns, and other amenities designed to enhance the festival experience.
For tickets and more information, visit www.RISEfestival.com
ABOUT RISE Festival
Founded in 2014, RISE is the world's largest sky lantern festival—a collective celebration that blends art, music, and light in an unforgettable shared experience in the Mojave Desert south of Las Vegas.
Returning for its 10th anniversary October 3, 4, and 5, 2025, RISE is a luminous celebration of light, sound, and soul, bringing people together in a shared journey of elevation and joy.
As a non-profit charitable event, RISE is a collaborative art project dedicated to advancing the arts through education, appreciation, and financial support for emerging artists around the world.
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