EDC (Electric Daisy Carnival) Orlando 2023 Recap & Highlights

In the heart of the Sunshine State, where the spirit of music meets the enchantment of a carnival, Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) Orlando 2023 emerges as a beacon of electrifying energy and euphoria. I looked forward to this festival all year since my friends, Michael and I impulsively bought tickets one time after coming back from Ultra Europe.

EDC Orlando was hands-down my favorite 3-day festival I have been to this year! 2023 was the year of festivals and major traveling, and out of all the ones I’ve been to, EDC Orlando was the best one in my opinion.

If you’re interested in reading the highlights and recap of the other festivals I went to, check out these links:

Tomorrowland Brazil 2023 – Highlights & Recap

ULTRA Europe 2023 – Highlights & Recap

What is EDC Orlando?

Electric Daisy Carnival, commonly known as EDC, is a globally renowned electronic dance music (EDM) festival series organized by Insomniac Events. With its origins in Southern California, EDC has evolved into a global phenomenon, with events taking place across the United States, Mexico, Europe, and beyond. EDC Orlando, specifically, has become a standout edition, transforming the vibrant city into a playground of beats and vibrant colors.

The EDC Experience

What sets EDC Orlando apart is not just the music or the dazzling visuals but the sense of community and inclusivity that permeates the event. The ethos of “PLUR” (Peace, Love, Unity, Respect) is a guiding principle, encouraging attendees, known as “Headliners,” to embrace a spirit of acceptance and camaraderie. EDC is a place where people from all walks of life come together to celebrate their shared love for music and the electric atmosphere that unites them.

The Venue

Each year, Tinker Field in Orlando undergoes a magical transformation to host EDC Orlando. The sprawling venue provides the canvas for multiple stages, mesmerizing art installations, and a carnival atmosphere that amplifies the overall experience. Attendees find themselves immersed in a world where music and creativity collide, creating an unforgettable weekend of celebration.

People from all over the world come in the most amazing costumes! Ravers really do go all out with their rave outfits – lots of glitter, kandi, hats, neon colors, sparkles, totems, sunglasses, backpacks, you name it. It’s one of the best parts about coming to EDC – you get to dress as much (or as little) as you like and no one bats an eye. It is the norm to do so at EDC. This is what I found unique compared to the other festivals I went to. Especially the ones from outside of the US, which I found to be much more toned down in the attire. Here in the US, people not only love the EDM music, but it is a great opportunity for them to dress up!

The Lineup

At the heart of EDC Orlando is a stellar lineup that showcases the diversity and talent within the EDM genre. The festival attracts some of the biggest names in the industry, promising an eclectic mix of electronic beats, ranging from trance and house to bass and techno. The anticipation for the lineup is palpable, with fans eagerly awaiting the announcement to see which musical maestros will grace the stages in 2023.

This year, I got to see two of my top 3 favorite all-time DJs – Armin Van Buuren and Alan Walker! They both played amazing sets and of course I knew all of their songs! Alan Walker played a great set – he really got the crowd pumped. His music is very whimsical and melodic. One can sing along with his music. It’s very much got a futuristic, video game-esque vibe to it which, as a former gamer, is why I think attracts me to his music. Armin Van Buurn is a classic, staple DJ who has been around for decades! He’s a legend in my opinion, and he’s great in all types of genres including trance (he owns A State of Trance [ASOT]), big room, hardstyle, and many other flavors of EDM. He’s my number 1 favorite DJ on my list and I am so glad I got to see him in person!

Here’s a few recap videos of both their sets:

More DJs!

The lineup this year was phenomenal which was why we did not hesitate to purchase our tickets. We ended up getting VIP tickets so that we had access to the better toilets (and they were MUCH better than the VIP toilets at Tomorrowland Brazil). If you don’t care for the VIP area and just want to get access to the nicer toilets, consider getting the GA+ tickets if you decide to go next year. For us, VIP was worth it. The area wasn’t nearly as crowded and we were able to get clear view of all the DJs. We did briefly go to the general area to meet up with some other friends, but the crowds were just so big and we were so far back from the main stage. Ultimately, we did end up staying at the VIP sections of each of the stages for most of the time.

Of course there were other DJs that I very much enjoyed watching as well. I got to see Alok once again (I saw him a month earlier at Tomorrowland Brazil). He’s an up-and-coming favorite of mine (4th on my list of favorite DJs). I also got to see Afrojack and Steve Aoki. They combined their set and played together as “Afroki”.

Here’s a video of their entrance and the start of their set! I also included a video of the sunset intro which I thought was pretty neat!

Beyond the Music

While the music is undoubtedly the focal point, EDC Orlando goes beyond just the beats. The festival is a visual feast, featuring elaborate stage designs, mind-bending art installations, and a breathtaking array of lights and pyrotechnics. Carnival rides add an extra element of excitement, offering attendees the chance to soar above the festival grounds and take in the spectacle from new heights.

While I didn’t try any of the carnival rides there, I did take the time to check out the venue and all of the decorations that EDC had set up for its ravers.

The venue itself was HUGE! We did a lot of walking! My favorite places that I explored were the Polygon Park and the Rainbow Road. We spent some time exploring and taking group photos on some amazing backsets. Here’s a few photos of myself and Michael, and some friends we went with:

In Conclusion

If you’re thinking of going to EDC Orlando next year, I highly recommend getting a hotel near the venue. We were only a 5 minute Uber drive from the entrance. At night, it was a blessing for us to be able to walk back to the hotel, and it only took us 30 minutes to get back. If you decide to leave the venue a little earlier before the end, make sure to go back with a group as the neighboring area is very sketchy! You certainly do not want to be walking back alone. EDC Orlando does offer shuttles, but as you can imagine, they take forever to get to and from. Especially at night after the festival has ended for that day. Getting back with everyone else trying to do the same is a huge headache. Save yourself that trouble and book a hotel nearby – it’ll be worth the money!

Also be prepared for bad weather. The festival takes place on a dirt field which can turn very muddy when it rains. Fortunately, November weather in Orlando is still pretty warm so dress accordingly! The weather for us this year was 80’s during the day and 60s-70s at night. But obviously by the looks of people’s outfits, no one really complained. In fact, even I felt a little warm at times and glad I wore shorts and tank tops on all 3 days!

Would I go back again to EDC Orlando? Absolutely! I hope I can go next year! This is by far the best one I’ve been to and I hope I can convince Michael and my friends to go once again! Hope to see you there next year!