Joshua Tree National Park—home of the eponymous and quirky-looking yucca brevifolia tree species—has served as inspiration for musicians, poets, and thinkers through the ages. Its colorful history, beautiful scenery, and unique flora and fauna translate into a place with an elevated consciousness and a metaphysical vibe. Its namesake festival, Joshua Tree Music Festival , certainly lives up to the mythology of its location.

Independently produced and drawing about 4,000 attendees, this music-and-art-focused event has a homey, intimate feel. Twice a year, it’s put on by a group of committed family and friends who operate on the idea that “music is the soul of life, and that art enriches and saves lives.”

Unlike festivals with glitzy VIP tents and high-paid headliners with large entourages, there’s no separation between artist and audience here, creating a family-oriented and inclusive vibe that’s as inviting as it is down to earth. To add to the family-centric nature of the festival, kids under the age of 10 get in free, and the festival’s “Kid Zone” is geared toward families who are camping with children.

Enjoy the gorgeous photos below, all lit by the desert sun, of Joshua Tree Music Festival's blissed-out attendees shot by photographer Jacob Avanzato.