Celebrating Halloween at Hulaween’s 10th Anniversary Festival

Suwannee Hulaween’s 10-year anniversary was as dreamy as we could’ve ever hoped for, and here’s why we loved it so much.

Every year, music and art lovers from far and wide make the trek to a little town in northern Florida called Live Oak. Amidst the natural beauty of Spanish moss-drenched oak trees, they find their way to the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, a sprawling 800-acre campground and music venue that beautifully reflects its surroundings. The venue, adorned with its glorious Spirit Lake, is nestled on the banks of the sacred Suwannee River, a site that has become a symbol of the Hulaween magic.

For its milestone 10th anniversary, Suwannee Hulaween made some significant and celebration-worthy adjustments. One of the most notable changes was the expansion of the famous Spirit Lake area, transforming it into an all-encompassing hub of creativity. The area now includes an extensive collection of artwork, stages, vendors, and interactive workshops spread around the entirety of the lake. With a focus on exploration and discovery, Hulaween is designed to be a wanderer-friendly festival, offering endless attractions and activities regardless whether the sunlight or moonlight is shining.

Hulaween has always been known for its diverse lineup, enlisting a wide array of artists across various genres, and truly living up to its reputation as the most renowned multi-genre music festival on the East Coast. This year, the festival organizers went above and beyond, curating a line-up that not only included highly sought-after headliners like John Summit and the Trey Anastasio Band but also marked a significant marker in music history – the return of Pretty Lights.

After a lengthy five-year hiatus, Pretty Lights made a much-anticipated comeback with his Soundship Spacesystem tour. The tour was limited to a select few festival stops, with Hulaween being one of the privileged venues. Adding to the excitement, it was announced not long before the festival that Pretty Lights would be performing not just one, but two mesmerizing sets. The artist graced the stage for two enchanting hours on Saturday evening, only to return again on Sunday for another unforgettable performance.

Other notable performances over the weekend include Eprom, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong (a set that included Daft Punk covers), The String Cheese Incident (Saturday Night Shebang),  ISOxo, Jason Leech, and Manic Focus. Even the Saturday night silent disco was one for the books. 

Beyond the music and visual art, the festival also boasted an impressive array of shopping and food vendors. We spent time at fan-favorite pop-ups like Astral Hoops and Noralina Freedom Designs, and of course, we got sucked into the $10 pashminas just like everyone else. Staples from the food department included The Grilled Cheese Incident (still drooling over the Mac Daddy), Higher Taste (for our vegan friends), King Pops (for those hot days), and the New York-style pizza stand, where we shamelessly ordered dill pickle and ranch slices all weekend.

Above all, the Hulaween community and culture is what continually draws us back year after year. During the day and early evening, the festival takes on a family-friendly atmosphere. It’s not uncommon to see children dressed up in festive attire, being paraded around in wagons as their parents dance and laugh alongside them. As night falls, the festival transforms, with glowing flow toys, light-up totems, and beaming costumes. Looking out at the crowd, you’ll see a vibrant sea of neon colors, illuminating under the soft glow of the moonlight.

Everyone at Hulaween is friendly and eager to hand out gifts, Halloween candy, or a helping hand if needed. Wandering around the campsites, you’ll often find a “take one leave one table,” an embodiment of Hulaween’s giving spirit. These tables operate exactly as they sound; you pick up a gift, whether it’s a fun trinket, a piece of clothing, or something you forgot to pack, and in return, you leave something for the next person to discover. 

In general, the campsites tend to be the true center of the Hulaween culture. It’s up to the attendees, not the festival organizers, to curate the atmosphere there. One evening, we found ourselves wandering from renegade set to renegade set, drawn in by the sound, the people, and the vibes. On another morning, we stumbled upon a makeshift “haunted house” en route to the showers. It was an outdoor campsite transformed into a themed haunted house, complete with “doors” leading to a variety of fun and spooky discoveries.

Being a part of the Suwannee Hulaween community, especially during its 10-year anniversary, was a truly extraordinary experience. We can’t wait to see what the festival has in store for many years to come and would be honored to continue being a part of it.