Suwannee Hulaween 2024: A weekend of magic, music and music

Hulaween returns to Spirit of Suwannee Music Park for its eleventh year, transforming Florida’s lakeside woods into an otherworldly playground filled with music, art, and all-around magic. With a lineup that includes exciting headliners, intimate late night performances, immersive arts, wellness workshops and endless adventures, Suwannee Hulaween 2024 not only lives up to the hype, but exceeds it. It’s no wonder this holiday has become an annual pilgrimage for thousands of free spirits. This year’s Hulaween was everything we hoped for and more – a true celebration of creativity, community and the deeply resonant power of music.

Epic lineup at Suwanee Center

At Hulaween, music truly has something for everyone, and this year’s line-up is packed with talent across genres. My personal favorite? Tipper, Daily Bread and Will Clarke bring psychedelic bass, funky flow and undeniable dance energy. The real stars of the weekend, though, were the headlines string cheese incidentwho performed multiple sets and maintained an impromptu vibe throughout the weekend. They’ve once again rocked the festival with their infamous Halloween-themed set – this year’s title is “Weird Science” in honor of their guest, Grateful Dead legend Bobby Weir. They debuted together Bobby Weir Incident, giving us a legendary two-set performance that included three hours of captivating music. It’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime festival experiences that people talk about for years.

Cheese is joined by other improvisers such as Lettuce, known for his jazz-influenced funk rhythms and high-energy live performances, and Umphrey’s McGee, who brings huge riffs and soulful solos, leading The audience was taken on a wild musical journey. For bass lovers, Liquid Stranger delivers mind-bending rhythms that shake the ground in hypnotic, head-spinning combinations, while Manic Focus keeps things funky with hip-hop-inspired bass that’s beloved A favorite that is fashionable and feels good. The rhythm and soulful energy made him one of the standout performances of the weekend. For house fans, Chris Lake brings to Hulaween infectious beats and pounding basslines, as well as cutting-edge tech house beats and melodies that seamlessly captivate the audience. I was also surprised to stumble upon DJ Brownie, the bassist for the iconic jam band disco cookieshe ventures solo, bringing deep rhythms and a high-energy blend of jam, electronic and funk influences. No matter what your favorite flavor is, you’ll find something to suit you at Hulaween.

Hulaween also released a special set of nostalgic trends sublimationthe iconic band defined a generation with their unique fusion of ska, reggae, punk and rock. Now led by Jakob Nowell, son of late original frontman Bradley Nowell, Sublime’s performance is as much a homage to the past as it is a fresh take. Jacob’s voice and presence bring an authentic connection to his father’s legacy, allowing long-time fans to enjoy genre-defining music that still resonates today.

Linghu Immersive Art Transformation

One of Hulaween’s unique draws is its transformative interactive art space each year, and this year’s setup is nothing short of magical. In addition to the festival’s two main stages (set on a vast grounds) and the amphitheater stage (perfect for a funky, visually captivating set), Spirit Lake itself is arguably the highlight, with Linghu Stage Featuring psychedelic visuals and swirling house and bass performances, as well as the Outer Limits stage, it gives fans the chance to experience darker, bass-heavy beats ranging from house and techno to DNB and dubstep.

This year, the grounds around Spirit Lake are transformed into a complete 360° experience, with interactive art installations spread throughout the grounds, each at a clock-numbered location. Adventurous festival-goers may get lost in several scavenger hunts designed to help you explore and discover hidden treasures, explore fairy-tale aviaries and enjoy quiet moments, psychedelic alien-themed games and Eerie surroundings, even finding yourself trapped in a maze of murals feels like stepping into another dimension. Along the way, you can also attend late-night rock shows lost houseor cozy up for an intimate tea ceremony, open all night for spiritual respite. There’s something to explore around every corner, and the vibrant, surreal art installations make it easy to get lost.

Wellness, workshops and heart-centered experiences

Hulaween’s health products are in depth this year oasisit becomes a center for restorative activities and a great place to escape from the high-energy pulse of the festival. This tranquil space hosts a variety of workshops, from sound baths and cacao rituals to disco and bass yoga, where festival-goers can stretch out and reconnect with their inner selves. Opening my heart, grounding my spirit, and aligning my energy and intention helped me set the tone for the entire weekend and bring myself back to center each day. It was a welcome inner journey that made me feel connected, open, and made every moment extra meaningful.

For those craving more fun, the Oasis even offers late-night bingo, steamy burlesque shows and nostalgic dance parties for a night of escaping from the festival mainstream and filling the air with connected creative energy.

In another nearby workshop, festival-goers can find a range of classes such as art workshops, meditation sessions, flow classes and even a clothing swap, which is popular for repurposing old festival clothes and finding new ones. Popular for rock music. These immersive activities give everyone the opportunity to recharge and connect on a deeper level with themselves and others. This is a sustainable, fun and creative way to celebrate the hula spirit while connecting with others and learning how to creatively repurpose my old clothes to reduce waste and feel in a renewed thread Fresh.

Rebellious stages, new friends and campground adventures

After a few hours, the campground transforms into a wonderland, filled with rebellious stages and wild makeshift structures built by the campers themselves. The stage is outfitted with incredible A/V equipment and adds fun elements to set the mood, from bouncing on the trampoline to bass to hanging out in a pine rope “treehouse” in the woods. We also discovered an inflatable club complete with smoke machines, late-night jam bands and their own low-key BS bar, and if you’re lucky you might even stumble across a charming magician on the playground. You can wander all night and always find something exciting – whether it’s a set of neon visuals lighting up the trees or a secret stage playing some of the most experimental music we heard all weekend.

The atmosphere in Hulawen was one of pure community, and the entire weekend was filled with fun encounters. Everywhere I looked, people were exchanging trinkets, sharing little pieces of themselves that held memories, friendships or laughter. It’s like a little treasure hunt during the festival, exchanging little souvenirs that bring back memories of Hulaween every time I see them. For an extra dose of magic, campers set up “Take Trinkets, Leave Trinkets” tables throughout the venue, engaging in spontaneous mobile anonymous exchanges that resulted in some unique, quirky, silly, and heartwarming keepsakes. We even set up our own little toy stand at the campsite, trading massage oils and vibrations for vintage books about the 60s revolution, homemade tie-dye sheets, and even the most delicious Jamaican food I’ve ever eaten – our own little celebration Activities that allow us to meet amazing new friends and share joy and love with others.

Until next year, Hulawin!

As the weekend comes to an end, I can’t help but feel grateful for every magical, wild and transformative moment at Spirit Lake and Suwannee. Hulaween 2024 is more than just a festival; it’s an experience that transcends music and art, bringing together a community of joy-seekers, free spirits and adventurers.

With its vibrant community, diverse music lineup and magical atmosphere, Hulaween brings joy, connection and endless fun and is an unforgettable experience. No wonder this festival has become a staple event for so many fans. When we packed up and headed home, we not only took with us the memories of a great weekend, but also the excitement of knowing that next year’s Hulawen will be even more incredible. If you don’t make it this year…well, trust me, you’ll want to get there in 2025. Until next year, Hulaween!

Photos by Tara Gracer, Aaron Bradley, Josh Skolnik and Yvonne G – Courtesy of Hulaween