Beyond Wonderland is creeping up on us all, and the urge to celebrate can barely be contained. With so much stimulation at a massive music festival, the San Bernardino destination fest can be exhausting. However, if you heed our advice on how to maximize your journey down the rabbit hole, we guarantee this one will be the best one yet.

Photo by Dijon Bowden

1. Eat an Eat Me cupcake. Get to the festival early to snag a delicious cupcake from the White Rabbit and his friends. Don't forget to find the Tweedle Dee to your Tweedle Dum, because this cupcake is big enough to share.

2. Frolick the grounds during daylight. Head to Beyond Wonderland early enough for serendipitous exploration. Ride the carnival rides because there will be little to no lines. Take advantage of the light and take photos at art installations and stages. Enjoy the amphitheater and the surrounding mountains.

3. Go to the kandi store. The festival sets up a colorful, bead-laden station where you can make kandi. String together something cool and then trade with your new friends. And let’s be real, you probably forgot a few kandi at home, so why not make new ones at the festival?

Photo by Dijon Bowden

4. Dress to impress. Extraordinary outfits are highly encouraged for a festival like Beyond Wonderland. Take a peek at some whimsical looks to inspire you.

5. Experience new music. Take a chance and see an artist you haven’t seen live or heard of before. Ditch the overplayed songs and monotonous sets to experience the eclectic, the weird and the curious. See our list of must-see artists on Day 1 here and Day 2 here.

Photo via Ground Control's Facebook

6. Mingle with Ground Control. This organization is at every Insomniac festival to keep everyone happy, healthy and hydrated. Ground Control members are ravers just like you, so give them a high-five at the entrance or jive with them at the Madhatter’s Tea Party. Interested in joining the team? Head to Ground Control's Facebook to stay up to date on hiring information.

7. Indulge in food truck cuisine. Food trucks bring the variety and creativity festival-goers desperately seek at festivals. Skip the corn dogs and bad pizza for Korean Pork Tacos or Lobster Mac ‘N Cheese (YUM).

Photo via Insomniac's Facebook

8. Track down the Red Queen. You’ll probably see her shaking it at the Queen’s Domain, but a queen has to socialize with her people at some point – so keep an eye out for her, because the picture you end up taking with her will be epic.

9. Rave responsibly. Always have a buddy system and meet-up spot when you are raving with your friends. If you’re alone, know your limits and make new friends. Need more tips? Check out our article about how to find your friends at a festival.