Head In The Clouds LA 2025: The Ultimate Guide to This Year's Festival

📢 This guide will be updated! As HITC 2025 gets closer, we’ll continue adding new details, lineup updates, travel tips, and more. Bookmark this page and check back for the latest info! 🚀

Updated 3/5/2025

1. Head In The Clouds LA 2025 Overview {#overview}

The Head In The Clouds (HITC) LA 2025 festival, hosted by 88rising, is back and bigger than ever. With K-pop legends like G-Dragon and 2NE1, plus a surprise return from Dean, this year’s lineup is making waves across the industry. If you’re new to HITC or just want to relive past experiences, check out my review from Head In The Clouds LA 2023 HERE!

HITC LA 2025 Festival Details:

📅 Dates: May 31 & June 1
📍 Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
🎤 Presented by: 88rising (same team behind Jackson Wang, Joji, and Rich Brian)
🔥 Why You Should Go: HITC isn’t just about the music—it’s a celebration of Asian culture, fashion, and food, bringing fans together for an unforgettable weekend.

2. Confirmed Lineup for HITC 2025 {#lineup}

🔥 Headliners:

  • G-Dragon 🐉 (BIGBANG)

  • 2NE1 (Legendary K-pop reunion!)

  • Dean (First performance in years)

  • DPR Ian

  • Rich Brian

  • Porter Robinson (DJ Set)

  • Higher Brothers (Iconic Chinese hip-hop group)

🎶 Additional Performers:

  • The Magic Show?! (Mystery act)

  • 4EVE, ARMNHMR, Bixby

  • DPR ARTIC & DPR CREAM

  • Karri, Milli, Jonah Love, Piao, Piscee

  • Miso, Number_I, Stephanie Poetri, Seiji Oda, SF4AM

  • Sunkis, Tabber, Wang Ok, Warren Hue, Xin Liu

  • Youha, Yung Kai, YY

🔥 Biggest Surprises: Dean's comeback, 2NE1 reunion, and G-Dragon as a headliner!

3. HITC 2025 Tickets: GA vs. VIP vs. 1999 Club {#tickets}

🎟 General Admission (GA)

💰 Price: Starts at $300+ for two days
✔ Full festival access
✔ Standing-room for main & side stages
❌ No VIP perks, longer wait times for food & bathrooms

VIP Pass

💰 Price: $450-$500
✔ Fast-track entry & VIP-only viewing area
✔ Shorter lines for food, drinks & merch
✔ VIP restrooms & shaded lounges

👑 1999 Club (Formerly SBSC)

💰 Price: $800+
Front-row access guaranteed (no need to camp out)
✔ AC lounge, free-flowing drinks & snacks
✔ Exclusive parking & quick exits

🔥 Best Bang for Your Buck: VIP is great for comfort, but if you want front row without camping, 1999 Club is the way to go.

4. How to Buy HITC 2025 Tickets (Without Getting Scammed) {#buy-tickets}

🎟 Where to Buy:
✔ Official site: www.88rising.com
✔ AXS (Official Ticket Partner)
✔ AXS Marketplace (For Resale Tickets)

🚨 Avoid Scams:

  • Only buy from official sources (AXS, 88rising).

  • Be wary of Facebook resellers or Ticketmaster scalpers.

5. Festival Tips: What to Bring & Avoid {#festival-tips}

HITC is hot, crowded, and long—here’s how to survive:

Must-Bring Items:

  • Hydration pack (Camelbak, empty upon entry)

  • Sunscreen (non-aerosol)

  • Comfortable sneakers (you’ll be standing all day)

  • Clear bag (security rules)

  • Earplugs (protect your hearing!)

🚫 What NOT to Bring:

  • Outside food/drinks

  • Large umbrellas

  • Professional cameras (unless media-approved)

🔥 Pro Tip: Bring a portable charger—your phone WILL die.

6. Travel & Accommodation Tips for HITC 2025 {#travel}

Best Airports:

  • Burbank (BUR) - Best choice (closer, smaller crowds, cheaper Uber/Lyft).

  • Ontario (ONT) - Decent alternative (small but farther from Pasadena).

  • LAX - Last resort (cheaper flights but traffic & high Uber costs).

🏨 Where to Stay:

  • Affordable areas: Glendale, San Gabriel, Arcadia, Koreatown.

  • Best for nightlife: Koreatown (tons of bars & late-night food).

  • Closest to the festival: Pasadena (most expensive).

🚗 Getting Around:

  • Uber/Lyft: Best option, but subscribe to Uber One or Lyft Pink for discounts.

  • Metro: Gold Line connects DTLA to Pasadena ($1.75 per ride).

  • Rental Car: Only if planning to explore LA, parking at the festival can be a hassle.

🚨 Post-Festival Uber Tip: Walk a few blocks away before ordering your ride to avoid surge pricing.

7. Best Food & Drinks at HITC 2025 {#food-drinks}

🍜 88rising’s Mama’s Night Market is bringing in the best Asian street food vendors. Expect:

  • Korean BBQ rice bowls

  • Taiwanese boba & milk tea

  • Japanese onigiri & sushi rolls

  • Chinese dumplings & bao buns

💰 Budget: Expect $15-$30 per meal and $10+ per drink.

8. How to Get Front-Row Views for Your Favorite Artists {#front-row}

🔥 Best Strategies:

  • Buy 1999 Club tickets (guaranteed front-row section).

  • Arrive early (GA front row = camp out all day).

  • Use the VIP viewing section (not front row, but great angles).

9. Final Thoughts: Is HITC 2025 Worth It? {#final-thoughts}

✅ If you love Asian music & culture – HITC is a must-attend festival.
✅ If you want to see G-Dragon & 2NE1’s legendary comebackDon’t miss it!
✅ If you hate crowds & long wait times – Consider VIP or 1999 Club.

🔗 For more festival tips & updates, bookmark this page and follow 88rising on social media! 🎶🔥

📢 Stay Tuned for Updates! This guide will be regularly updated with any new festival details, lineup changes, and pro tips as HITC 2025 approaches. Be sure to bookmark this page and follow The Mikan Box for the latest updates! 🎶🔥

Previous
Previous

Chung Ha Returns with New EP ‘Alivio’ – A Fresh Chapter in Her Musical Journey

Next
Next

Ariana Grande Hints at New Music at the 2025 Oscars – Is a Surprise Release on the Horizon?