dj ruckus neon carnival

THERMAL, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 16: DJ Ruckus performs onstage during Levi's and Tequila Don Julio Present Neon Carnival with Hydration by Liquid I.V. on April 16, 2022 in Thermal, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Tequila Don Julio)

The Scene: Neon Carnival 2022 | VIP Access

Neon Carnival made its triumphant return and descended upon the desert night sky to illuminate once again on Saturday, April 16 and it DID NOT disappoint. The coveted after-party celebrated its 11-year anniversary exclusively on weekend one of the highly-anticipated desert festival. With continued involvement from the biggest names in entertainment and consumer lifestyle, including the return of iconic denim brand Levi’s®, back to headline the event alongside Mexico’s original luxury tequila, Tequila Don Julio. This year’s exclusive invite-only fête welcomed new brand additions, including Liquid I.V., DIRECTV, Monster Energy, new Smirnoff Neon Lemonades and PathWater to the festivities. 

This was my first time at Neon Carnival and I was super hyped to attend. So let me take you into the VIP experience at Neon Carnival.

Neon Carnival VIP
VIP Lounge

Entrance
First, let’s start with the entrance. There is a separate VIP entrance and parking that led us to the super luxe lounge. The VIP lounge included an open bar, tons of plush sofas, premium restrooms, a makeup refresh area and stage access.

neon carnival
THERMAL, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 16: A general view of atmosphere at the Levi’s And Tequila Don Julio Neon Carnival, with Hydration By Liquid I.V. on April 16, 2022 in Thermal, California. (Photo by Cassidy Sparrow/Getty Images for Neon Carnival)

The Experience
Think of your town fair, but on steroids! Returning to its permanent home located at the Desert International Horse Park, the sprawling equestrian center welcomed back festivalgoers to its all-grass knoll spanning three football fields, featuring carnival-style games and exhilarating amusement park thrills.

No strangers to Neon Carnival, world-renowned DJs Ruckus and Kayper, returned to the scene to keep the party going late into the night along with newcomer Mel DeBarge, reining from New York City. 

dj ruckus neon carnival
THERMAL, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 16: DJ Ruckus performs onstage during Levi’s and Tequila Don Julio Present Neon Carnival with Hydration by Liquid I.V. on April 16, 2022 in Thermal, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Tequila Don Julio)

Levi’s®, the brand that revolutionized American fashion with their iconic 501® blue jean, returned for their fourth consecutive year as a co-presenting sponsor, and lighted up the sky with their Levi’s® branded Ferris Wheel. 

levis land neon carnival
THERMAL, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 16: A general view of atmosphere at the Levi’s And Tequila Don Julio Neon Carnival, with Hydration By Liquid I.V. on April 16, 2022 in Thermal, California. (Photo by Thaddaeus McAdams/Getty Images for Neon Carnival)

Co-presenting sponsor, Tequila Don Julio, returned for their sixth consecutive year as well, serving up craft cocktails from the Airstream Speakeasy and celebrated with Don Julio 1942 bottle service in VIP. Wristband pick-up was orchestrated by Liquid I.V. who also kicked off their on-site Neon Carnival presence with a fully branded bumper car installation emblazoned with neon signs and a steady supply of their exclusive festival-flavored Hydration Multiplier. In addition, DIRECTV, offering the best of live TV and On Demand on all your favorite screens, transported partygoers to new dimensions and took over the VIP tent.  

neon carnival
THERMAL, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 16: A general view of atmosphere at the Levi’s And Tequila Don Julio Neon Carnival, with Hydration By Liquid I.V. on April 16, 2022 in Thermal, California. (Photo by Cassidy Sparrow/Getty Images for Neon Carnival)

To celebrate the much-anticipated return of Neon Carnival as well as Tequila Don Julio’s sixth consecutive year as a sponsor of the most coveted after-party, artist and photographer Jose Silva, who has been capturing all the action over the years, has compiled some of his most epic photos into an exclusive NFT.

paris hilton brent bolthouse neon carnival
THERMAL, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 16: (L-R) Paris Hilton and Brent Bolthouse attend Levi’s And Tequila Don Julio Neon Carnival, with Hydration By Liquid I.V. on April 16, 2022 in Thermal, California. (Photo by Cassidy Sparrow/Getty Images for Neon Carnival)

And for the first time this year, Neon Carnival went digital with two exciting opportunities. Levi’s® and Neon Carnival regular, Paris Hilton, hosted the Neon Carnival experience in the metaverse in “Paris World” on Roblox.

jared leto brent bolthouse neon carnival
THERMAL, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 16: (L-R) Jared Leto and Brent Bolthouse attend Levi’s And Tequila Don Julio Neon Carnival, with Hydration By Liquid I.V. on April 16, 2022 in Thermal, California. (Photo by Cassidy Sparrow/Getty Images for Neon Carnival)

Conceptualized by LA’s original nightlife maven, Brent Bolthouse, and produced by Best Events, the duo has created the unrivaled outdoor dance party that is widely recognized as one of the most sought-after parties on the planet, attracting the entertainment industry’s elite year after year. 

Neon Carnival Keith Powers
THERMAL, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 16: Keith Powers attends Levi’s and Tequila Don Julio Present Neon Carnival with Hydration by Liquid I.V. on April 16, 2022 in Thermal, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Tequila Don Julio)

An of course the celebrities were in attendance. Some of the celebs we saw were: Chloe and Halle, Sarunas J. Jackson ,Keith Powers, Nikita Dragon, Jared Leto, Anitta, Camila Mendes, Francesca Reale, Vanessa Morgan and Patrick Schwarzenegger.

neon carnival
THERMAL, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 16: Guests attend Levi’s and Tequila Don Julio Present Neon Carnival with Hydration by Liquid I.V. on April 16, 2022 in Thermal, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Tequila Don Julio)
neon carnival emma hernan
THERMAL, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 16: Emma Hernan visits the DIRECTV SPACE at Neon Carnival presented by LEVI’S and TEQUILA DON JULIO on April 16, 2022 in Thermal, California. (Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images for DIRECTV)
Phaon SPurlock Neon Carnival
Phaon Spurlock

 

Neon Carnival was created by Brent Bolthouse and continues annually during music’s biggest festival weekend. For more information, please visit http://neon-carnival.com. 

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