The Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) held at the Motor Speedway in Las Vegas is unlike any music event of the summer.

It is an adventure with your closest friends in a place with a magical energy in the air, cultivated and cherished by those who attend. The weekend is a refreshing step back from our often hectic lives.

EDC is a mecca of sorts, and for three days people from all over the world make a pilgrimage to Las Vegas to party from dusk until dawn. The central tenet of rave culture is that of peace, love, unity and respect (PLUR). At many music events, friends often attend in groups and do not socialize much with other people. The crowd dynamic is much different at raves. The culture promotes a friendly, outgoing attitude. After one night at EDC, it is possible to have made so many meaningful connections with people just because of the friendly demeanor that most ravers maintain.

The popular William Butler Yeats quote, “There are no strangers here; only friends you haven’t yet met” is a popular saying in the rave community and rings true at quality shows like EDC. Pair this collective mentality with massive LED screens, expansive light rigs and party décor, and you have a recipe for amazing memories.

With eight stages at which to dance, there is a sound for everyone. This year’s main stage, Kinetic Field, featured an art installation consisting of a giant owl that watched over a “crystal village,” a friendly-looking dragon that peered over the castle wall backdrop and a giant waterfall jetting out of the left side of the stage.

The Bass Pod stage hosted breakbeat styles like dubstep and drum and bass. The stage had a sci-fi theme and there was a robot standing over the DJ booth.

Adjacent to the Bass Pod were Waste Land and Circuit Grounds. Circuit Grounds was particularly breathtaking, surrounded by a metal structure insulated with LED panels and state-of-the-art lasers. Meanwhile, the Neon Garden stage showcased a spotlight on the top of the structure which shot a powerful beam of light up into the sky.

EDC is something that every music lover should experience at least once. Early bird tickets for EDC 2016 go on sale Sept. 21. Grab some friends and dance under the electric sky.  The weekend in Vegas isn’t cheap, but it is well worth it.