Are you ready for the ultimate musical adventure? This year's Electric Forest Music Festival promises to be more magical than ever. Whether you're a seasoned festival-goer or a first-timer, our comprehensive guide will help you make the most of your Electric Forest experience and your time in Sherwood forest. 

Electric Forest is right around the corner and this year an estimated 40,000-50,000 people will be heading to Rothbury, Michigan from June 20-23 to attend the SOLD OUT 12th annual music festival. The festival is located about an hour from Grand Rapids on the Double JJ Resort grounds and promises to have something for everyone. 

If you’re one of the lucky ones that are going to this year’s festival, read on! I’ve got some inside tips to help make your trip memorable. 

But first a bit of history...

The History of the Electric Forest Music Festival in Michigan

Electric Forest began as the Rothbury Festival in 2008. Held at the Double JJ Ranch in Rothbury, Michigan, the initial festival was created by Madison House Presents and Insomniac Events. The Rothbury Festival was notable for its diverse lineup that included rock, reggae, electronic, and jam band music. It was also recognized for its strong focus on sustainability and environmental consciousness. The festival included various green initiatives, such as promoting recycling and renewable energy sources​ and encouraging attendees to engage in eco-friendly practices

Transition to Electric Forest

In 2011, the festival was rebranded as Electric Forest. The new name reflected a shift in focus towards a more immersive and eclectic experience, emphasizing electronic music alongside jam bands and other genres. The inaugural Electric Forest lineup included headliners like Tiësto, Pretty Lights, and The String Cheese Incident, setting the stage for the festival's future direction.

The Experience: Music, Art, and Community

Electric Forest is more than just a music festival; it's an adventure. The festival takes place in Sherwood Forest, an enchanted wooded area full of art installations, light shows, and interactive experiences. Attendees can wander through the forest, discovering hidden stages, art pieces, and whimsical characters. The forest is full of tons of inspiring creativity like live painting and sculpture, and theatrical and acrobatic performances. 

Musical Diversity

The lineup at Electric Forest is known for its diversity, featuring top-tier electronic artists, jam bands, and a mix of other genres. Regular headliners like The String Cheese Incident and The Disco Biscuits have become staples of the festival, contributing to its unique blend of sounds. The festival also supports emerging artists, giving them a platform to reach a wider audience.

Sustainability and Community Initiatives

Electric Forest continues the legacy of the Rothbury Festival's commitment to sustainability. The festival promotes green initiatives, such as recycling programs, composting, and the use of sustainable materials. Attendees are encouraged to participate in eco-friendly practices, fostering a community spirit centered around environmental stewardship.

In addition to its environmental efforts, Electric Forest is known for its strong sense of community. The festival emphasizes inclusivity, kindness, and respect among its attendees, creating a welcoming atmosphere where people from all walks of life can come together to celebrate music, art, and nature.

Evolution and Future

Over the years, Electric Forest has evolved, expanding its reach and influence in the festival scene. It has grown in size, attracting tens of thousands of attendees each year, yet it remains true to its core values of creativity, community, and environmental responsibility.

Looking ahead, Electric Forest continues to innovate, offering new experiences and pushing the boundaries of what a music festival can be. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a seasoned Forest-goer, the festival promises a journey filled with unforgettable moments, connections, and a deep appreciation for the magic of music and nature.

Check out these posters and videos from Electric Forest throughout the years. 

And to get you excited for this year’s festival, here’s a montage of some of last year’s greatest moments in the forest. 

Electric Forest 2024 Lineup

This year promises an unforgettable experience with a diverse lineup of artists featuring a mix of electronic, hip-hop, and jam band performances, ensuring there's something for everyone.

Headliners and Major Acts

• Pretty Lights: A staple in the electronic music scene, known for his innovative live shows.
• Excision: Bringing his heavy bass drops that are sure to energize the crowd.
• Subtronics: Another powerhouse in the bass music community.
• EVERYTHING ALWAYS (Dom Dolla + John Summit): This collaboration promises a unique set.
• Lszee (CloZee + LSDREAM): A fusion of ethereal and bass-heavy sounds.
• Ludacris and Nelly Furtado: Adding a hip-hop and pop flair to the festival.

Additional Noteworthy Performances

The festival will also feature performances from:

• Charlotte de Witte: A leading name in techno.
• The String Cheese Incident: Returning for their signature jam sessions.
• Umphrey’s McGee and The Disco Biscuits: Bringing their improvisational rock.
• Black Tiger Sex Machine and Gigantic NGHTMRE: For those who love a high-energy electronic set.

Emerging and Diverse Artists

Electric Forest is also showcasing a range of emerging and diverse artists, including:

• Seven Lions: Known for his melodic bass music.
• Hiatus Kaiyote: A Grammy-nominated band bringing their unique blend of genres.
• Alison Wonderland is bringing her alias, Whyte Fang, to the forest this year: Offering a fresh take on electronic music.

Other artists include Ben Böhmer, Knock2, Cannons, Rawayana, and TSHA, ensuring a broad spectrum of music styles from house and techno to funk and beyond.​

Tickets and Additional Information

Tickets are sold out for this year’s festival. But check here for all the latest updates and information on camping, lodging, and vehicle passes.  

THINGS TO DO

Electric Forest Music Festival offers a wide array of activities beyond the music, ensuring an immersive and unforgettable experience. Here's a rundown of what you can do at Electric Forest:

Explore Sherwood Forest

Sherwood Forest is the heart of the festival, an enchanted woodland with stunning light displays, art installations, and hidden pathways. You can wander through discovering interactive art, whimsical characters, and surprise performances. The forest is full of magical secrets. Use your imagination and go down the rabbit hole. Interact and play with the actors and performers, they will guide you. If you see something weird, go towards it. Nothing is off limits, unless there is a sign that clearly states “off limits.” 

Be playful, childlike, and have a sense of adventure. And get curious! If you see a telephone, pick it up and see if anyone is on the other end. If you see a door, try opening it and see if it goes anywhere. The forest is yours to explore. So, put your phone away and slow down. There is magic all around you and if you are rushing from set to set, you may miss out on the synchronicities that the forest has to offer. Get lost and explore with no real agenda, you will be surprised with all that unfolds. There is joy in the discovery. 

And most importantly, if go where your heart tells you to, you’ll always be where you’re supposed to be.

Enjoy Live Music

Sherwood Forest hosts several stages; Sherwood Court, Ranch Arena, Tripolee, Honeycomb, The Observatory, Grand Artique, and a few others, each offering a unique musical experience. The festival is known for its diverse lineup of artists spanning electronic, hip-hop, jam bands, and more. You can catch your favorite headliners and discover new acts across genres. 

Art Installations and Performances 

Electric Forest has an incredible vibrant art scene. The festival grounds are filled with large-scale art installations, live painting, performance art, and dazzling light displays that create a surreal and magical atmosphere, especially at night. You can wander through the forest, discovering hidden gems and interactive pieces that allow attendees to engage and become part of the creative process. 

The Silent Disco

At the Silent Disco, you can dance the night away with headphones tuned to various DJ sets, creating a unique and intimate dance experience.

The Giving Tree and Wish Machine

The festival emphasizes community and giving back. The Giving Tree allows attendees to donate items to those in need, while the Wish Machine encourages participants to submit wishes for themselves and commit to acts of kindness, making a positive impact both at the festival and in their local communities.

Workshops and Yoga

The festival offers a variety of workshops and wellness activities, including yoga sessions, meditation, and educational talks. These sessions provide a chance to relax, learn, and connect with others, encouraging connection and personal growth.

The Brainery

The Brainery is a space for learning and creativity, hosting workshops on topics ranging from arts and crafts to personal development. It's an excellent place to acquire new skills and meet like-minded individuals.

Curated Events and Theme Nights

Electric Forest hosts curated events and theme nights, adding an extra layer of excitement. These events often include special performances, costume parties, and interactive experiences.

Food and Drink

Electric Forest offers a variety of food and drink options, from gourmet meals to classic festival fare. There are also bars and lounges where you can relax and enjoy a drink. Add some adventure to your taste buds and try the cotton candy ice cream burrito! Or the pickle shots at the Trading Post.

Vendor Village

The Vendor Village features a wide range of shops selling unique merchandise, clothing, art, and festival essentials. It's a great place to find souvenirs and support local artisans. And if you forgot anything while you were packing, you can find it here!

Adventure Activities

For those seeking adventure, the Double JJ Resort, where the festival is held, offers activities like horseback riding, water parks, and golf. There's a shuttle bus that will take you to the waterpark from GA or GL (it will be labeled on the official map). It’s $20 per person for GA, free for GL. The park features multiple slides, a lazy river, indoor/outdoor hot tub. Bring your towel and flip flops, they have showers & lockers on site. There's also a small food area and bar upstairs as well. These activities provide a fun way to enjoy the natural surroundings.

Community and Connection

One of the most cherished aspects of Electric Forest is the sense of community. The festival fosters an inclusive and welcoming environment where attendees can connect with new friends and share in the collective experience. It is a place where festival-goers can relax in hammocks, participate in spontaneous gatherings, and enjoy impromptu performances. 

Additional Highlights 

• Forest House Art Car: A mobile stage and art piece hosting surprise performances.
• Honeycomb Stage: Known for its intimate and eclectic performances.
• Carousel Club: A lively spot for late-night dancing and music.
• The Chapel: A place where forest people can throw epic parties.
• Luminaria: A special little nook where you can honor and celebrate your loved ones. Create art and personal messages on white paper bags lit with beautiful lights. Spend time reading all the lovely words that have been written about the forest family members that have passed on. It’s a powerful and moving place to visit at night and witness the illuminating glow. 
• Her Forest: A collaboration of all femme identifying forest family members. 
• Forest Food Add Ons: There are only a few exclusive dining experiences left! Make sure to check them out here and book one to round out your forest experience and satisfy your taste buds.
• The Library: Bring a book to leave or trade, or a special note to leave in the pages of one, or sign someone’s notebook/journal that they left behind. And don’t forget to talk with the amazing librarians, you may just learn an inside secret or two.
• The Ferris wheel
• Hot air balloon
• The Giving Trees- bring some gifts to leave for others to enjoy.
• The craft stand by the observatory stage where you can make bracelets and get your face painted!
• The Poetry Brothel
• Secret sets by the musicians and dj’s
• the Dream Emporium
• Gong tent
• The Hangar
• Scavenger Hunts
• The Prize Cart

Camping and Amenities

The Electric Forest Campsite, integrated within Sherwood Forest, offers various camping options to suit different preferences, from traditional tent camping to RV sites with essential amenities. Click here for a map of this year’s campsites that are designed to accommodate a large number of festival-goers while maintaining a sense of intimacy and community​. Good Life Village Camping and Sherwood Court Tent-Only Camping are the main VIP Camping options at Electric Forest. Those in the Good Life Village camp next to a vehicle, while Sherwood Court Tent-Only Camping provides a vehicle-free camping experience.

And if you get there early, take a tour of The Sherwood Forest before the festival gates open. The artists and producers will reveal stories of how Sherwood Forest came to be this year and the work that went into the pieces. 

Electric Forest provides $10 showers, a general store and tons of food vendors.

The festival also provides lockers, click here to reserve yours now!

Arrive at this year’s festival decked out in style with official Electric Forest merchandise.  

Getting to the Forest

There will be official electric forest shuttles taking you to and from the festival. Click here  for more details and to see if there is one close to you. Routes are available from Grand Rapids, Detroit, Chicago, and New York City.  Not only is taking a shuttle a sustainable way to travel, but it's also a great way to meet new forest family members.

Resources

Join this Facebook Group  and this Reddit Group to stay in the loop about all the forest happenings.

Check out Music Festival Wizard for up to date information on festivals. This website is dedicated to covering the scene and music news with the latest on line-ups, reviews and commentary. 

Another great resource is this music festival app. It’s pretty new and they are adding to their list of festivals daily. So be sure to keep checking back. 

FESTIVAL FASHION

Check out my blogs on the best festival fashion for men and the best festival fashion for women for some incredible sustainable and ethical fashion choices that will keep you looking like one of a kind at Electric Forest.

Keep in mind that the weather can be in the 80’s during the day and colder at night, so bring layers and options. But I did just check the weather for the weekend of the festival and the temps are lower this year than usual. So keep that it mind. 

For all you gorgeous women, I love our colorful bodysuits paired with jean shorts or skirts. And our full length bodysuits by themselves. This pink zebra one is so pretty and looks great with booties or sneakers. And if pink is not your thing, it comes in a beautiful neutral color. For holographic looks, check these out! And if you really want to stand out, go for something sparkly! Our sequined robes will get the job done. Stay cozy in your tent with our super soft romper. It comes in raspberry or electric blue. 

And for all your handsome men, make a bold statement with these colorful leopard print leggings. And at night when the temperature dips, get cozy in our Neon green leopard ultra soft sweatpants. Grab the hoodie and make its a set and then go wear them to the silent disco and watch them glow in the dark! Wrap up at camp in one of our ponchos and feel all kinds of snuggly campside. 

CAMPING CHECKLIST

As my grandmother always said before I’d go on my girl scout camping trips,  "When you get back from your trip, make a note of what you didn't wear. This way you will avoid packing it unnecessarily next time."

But, instead of listening to what my grandmother said (Sorry Mimi!) I put together a list of must haves to pack BEFORE you go on your trip.

• Your ID
• Lunchbox fanny pack
• For all you women out there who don't like squating when you pee, try the Shewee- The Original Female Urinating Device.
• Or disposable ones
• And if it's humid (and chances are it will be) This is great for your tent. 
• A cooling blanket
• A rave fan and/or a battery operated hand held fans are always great to have on you at all times. This one even has a misting option!
• Earplugs
• Phone chargers
• flashlight/headlamp
• Extra batteries
• Coolers
• Food and beverages
• Gum
• ChapStick
• Hand Sanitizer
• Bugspray 
• Umbrella
• Sunscreen
• Baby wipes
• Blister bandaids 
• Face mask
• Bandana
• Sunglasses
• Toiletries
• Comfy shoes
• Ibuprofen
• Personal medication
• Contraceptives
• Shower Flip Flops
• Extra Socks
• Tissues
• Towels
• Toothbrush
• Vitamins 

TAG US!

We love to see you in your SpirtHoods! Tag us on all your socials @Spirithoods so we can see how great you look in your Electric Forest festival wear.

And if you're going to any other festivals this season, check out my blogs, Your Guide to EDC, Your Guide to LIB, Your Guide to This Year's Top Pride Festivals, and A Guide to some of The World's Best Festivals