Do you wish every EDM event lasted until early dawn? Sometimes dancing until 2:00AM isn’t nearly enough to savor the dance floor. Afterparties are where the party doesn’t stop and the dancing feels endless until sunrise! Grab your comfortable shoes, your favorite people, and prepare for the best nights of your life! iHeartRaves created the ultimate afterparty guide with everything you need to know.
Where To Find Events
Welcome to the afters, baby! There are plenty of different types of afterparties, also known as “afters” which are designated for each music and arts scene. There are concert afters, (official) rave and festival afters, exclusive VIP soirées, unofficial afters, and the afters your best friends host at their homes.
Afterparties curate a wide variety of music you can enjoy for different occasions. There will always be events to satisfy your musical and dancing needs! Each afterparty has a unique vibe. Oh, the places you’ll go to vibe and dance from dusk til’ dawn!
Official Afterparty Events
If you’re attending a major festival, many times, there will be official afterparties hosted by the promoters/collectives or company running the main event. The best way to find out about these afters is to follow the events’ social media, go to the official site, and view their event calendar if they have one.
These events will usually be announced ahead of time, so if you’re planning on attending the festival, it’s always good to secure tickets to after party events! Securing your ticket ahead of time will make sure that if there are big headliners at the afters, you won’t need to scramble to find tickets on the way out of the festival. Plus, ticket prices increase closer to the event, even one hour leading up to the event which can be very pricey!
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Club Events
In almost every city, there are tons of chic clubs, bars, or venues to check out. Even if clubs aren’t hosting official afterparty events, heading to a club after a festival is always a fun move and you can bring the afterparty vibes to the club!
These venues are more strict and can sometimes be upscale compared to regular raves. Some strict clubs enforce a dress code. If you love to dress up and dance all night, maybe even get a table with your friends. The club afters are the perfect option when you’re in the mood for purchasing a table or adore the elevated atmosphere. Some clubs also host the official festival and rave afterparties.
Unofficial afters
If you're looking for more laid back afters just to chill with friends in a cuddle puddle, there are many events and self-organized plans that can be hosted anywhere. Unofficial afters can be hosted at a hotel or public place, such as a bar or restaurant. There are also so many events that are held by smaller promoters in the area that can take place in crazy places, such as in warehouses and smaller venues.
A great way to find out about local events and afters is to use platforms like Resident Advisor which you can filter by city and see all the events and how to get in. Using social media is also a great way to find events, like Radiate and Facebook and checking out groups and group chats where festival goers chat all about different plans!
How To Prepare For Afters
Depending on where you decide to go for the afters, it’s always good to plan ahead.
Venue Rules
If you’ve picked going to an official venue for the afters, make sure you always read ahead of time on rules! One rule to check for sure is the age limit. There might be afters that are 21+ or 18+, and depending on where you’re coming from and who you’re with, it’s always important to check the age limit. Another rule to check is the prohibited list and dress code.
Usually, for official afterparties the crowd is coming straight from the festival so the vibes will be similar and also the venues are more laid back when it comes to dress code and bag policies. For clubs, the dress policies can be more strict and festival attire might not be allowed. You don’t want to end up stuck outside the afters so definitely check out the websites for these venues!
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Check the Set Times
There are many afters that start before the festival even ends and because of this, there might be DJs that you want to see that start earlier. Make sure you check the set times and socials of your favorite DJs to get the news about the afters.
Some events also offer free entry before a certain time, so you might want to leave the festival early. Plan accordingly when leaving the festival at the end of the night because of an increase in traffic; don’t get stuck in the parking lot!
Securing Rides
Afters start as soon as the festival ends, and sometimes even earlier! If you’re planning on going to the afters, it’s always important to make sure you know where they are and how to get there, especially if you’re still buzzed when the festival ends.
Make sure that you designate a driver or coordinate for rideshare. If you’re lucky, sometimes the afters will be at the same venue or nearby. Planning for rides is super helpful, especially if you’re attending a festival out of town. You can also schedule rideshare hours prior through the app and is incredibly helpful to reduce fees and secure your ride when everyone else is trying to book transportation as well.
Find a Crew!
Not everyone is built for the afters but finding a squad who is ready for anything is super fun and will make the vibes at the afters full of energy. If you’re someone who doesn’t have a big group or attends festivals solo, it’s 100% okay to head to the afters alone also. You’ll be sure to meet amazing ravers at the afters who want to keep the vibes going all night long.
Just make sure that if you’re alone, you take the precautions for getting around and to the afters safely! Using social media platforms is also a great way to connect with other ravers if you’re looking to meet new people so check them out.
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Come Prepared
Afterparties are the second half of the night which may require different essentials to keep the party going. Some venues allow you to show up in your festival attire and with your bag which you may not need more than that.
Bring an extra set of comfortable clothes in case you need to feel more relaxed. This is highly recommended because it will help you last until sunrise or combat the weather changes. Ditch the platforms and bring your tennis shoes to dance harder!
Host Your Own Afterparty
Sometimes you just need an intimate and cozy setting with your rave family. If you don’t feel like buying a table or tickets, making your own afterparty at your home is the best option and keeps everyone safer, especially if you offer your friends a sweet sleepover.
Prepare the speaker with favorite mixes, snacks, games, and even a DJ turntable. Don’t be afraid to invite your DJ friends to mix for the night! Have brunch with your rave family the next morning and talk about the night before with gratitude.
Afterparty Essentials Checklist
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Comfortable shoes
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An extra outfit to make you feel more relaxed
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Ear plugs
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Phone Charger
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Water (to keep in your car or on your person)
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Electrolytes
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Snacks (to fuel your body)
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Pashmina
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Sunglasses
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A Fan
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Driver’s License
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Debit/credit card or cash
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Optional: polaroid camera
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Optional: Trinkets to spread PLUR
Fashion Inspiration: What to Wear to the Afterparty
You could wear anything that feels relaxed to continue to dance the night away or wear what you were already wearing to the previous event.
You could always go for the classic hoodie, sweatpants, and pashmina. Or, you could revive yourself in another styled hot look! iHeartRaves loves afterparties so much they created an entire collection dedicated to afterparty fashion. Anything from the iHeartRaves’ Afters Collection are essentials for your rave closet!
iHeartRaves sells all of the rave essentials and the most beautiful festival outfits needed for all afterparty adventures. Stay safe and party on!
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