EDC Week is here and hundreds of thousands of rave kids are gearing up for the mecca of electronic music festivals – Electric Daisy Carnival. Three solid nights of dancing under an electric sky illuminated with fireworks and light shows means one epic way to kick off the summer festival season.

Now in its fifth year in Vegas, EDC is bigger than ever. Brand new stage designs will refresh the landscape and a super-charged lineup, including EDM kingpins Calvin Harris and Avicii (among fresh faces like Flume and Disclosure), will breathe even more life into the festival. Whether this weekend’s event is your first or fifth, knowing the ins and outs of North America’s largest EDM festival will help you make EDCLV 2015 the best one yet.

Photo by: Tiffany Wood

Get to the Venue Early

Being early to the party pays off. Not only will you skip most of the sketchy Vegas traffic getting to the venue, you’ll have a golden opportunity to explore the grounds before anyone else does. Taking once-in-a-lifetime photos in front of the stages and riding the carnival rides are THE reasons to beat the rush!

Set a Meet-Up Spot

Pick a specific location or landmark and time for your crew to converge. DON’T make the Daisy the meet-up spot. Actually, don’t make any art installation a meet-up spot. You’ll get lost in the sea.

Embrace Spontaneity

Of course it’s important to see your all-time favorite artists. Do take notes of when and where they're performing, but make time to explore the venue and interact with the art and other fest-goers. Sticking to a strict schedule will only stress you and your crew out, and could lead to a horrible time. Be open-minded and just go with the flow; you never know where you will end up and what memorable faces you'll meet along the way.

Bring a Totem

Totems make it easier for your friends to find you. Be creative, be fun, and be smart. Design a totem that will stand high above the crowd so that it is easily noticeable by your group. A pool noodle or basic sign won’t cut it. Need design inspiration? Look no further.

Timestamp Your Text Messages

Phone service is spotty especially with thousands of signals competing for service against the megawatts of sound. Have you ever sent a text message to your friend, only to have them receive it five hours later? Timestamping (“Meet me at the Funk House in 5 minutes” versus “Meet me at the Funk House in 5 minutes (Sent 8:00pm)” ) your texts will not only enhance your communication, but will save you the freak-out when you can’t find your group. Bonus pro tip: Shake your phone above your head for 15 seconds and you’ll get a bar or two.

Hydrate Yourself

It’s gonna be hot and you'll sweat profusely from the Vegas heat and from dancing. It’s important that you're hydrating yourself regularly – heck, drink more water than you think you'll need. Bring a reusable water bottle or Camelbak to replenish yourself at the festival’s free water stations.