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! 🚀
Last updated: May 29, 2025 — Last minute packing list, offical map, and more
1. Head In The Clouds LA 2025 Overview {#overview}
Head In The Clouds (HITC) LA 2025, hosted by 88rising, is back at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, and this year’s lineup is wild. We’re talking K-pop icons (G-Dragon, 2NE1 reunion, Dean’s comeback), huge hip-hop names, and a stacked mix of rising stars. Whether you’re a HITC vet or a first-timer, this fest is about way more than just the music—it’s a whole weekend celebrating Asian music, culture, food, and fashion. 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!
Saturday – May 31
Main Highlights:
G-Dragon closes at 9:55 PM (88rising Stage)
Porter Robinson (DJ Set) brings the energy at 5:40 PM
Dean & Tabber return at 8:25 PM
Rich Brian, Stephanie Poetri, ARMNHMR, and more
Sunday – June 1
Main Highlights:
2NE1 reunion at 8:15 PM
DPR Ian at 6:45 PM
Higher Brothers, Number_I, DPR Cream & DPR Artic
Ends with 88rising 10 Year Magic Show Party Finale at 9:15 PM
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
🎟 Single Day GA:
💰$225 ($199 + $26 fees)
🎟 2-Day GA (Now Tier 3 only):
💰$350 ($319 + $31 fees)
✨ 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.
Note: I have contacted AXS and they said this event doesn’t allow ticket transfers.
NEW: Ticket Transfers
AXS transfer is now live via the HITC app. You can officially transfer tickets—use the app, avoid scams.
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)
Good news: You can bring any bag or backpack up to 18”x13”x8.5”—it does NOT have to be clear.
Allowed:
Bags, backpacks, purses (max 18”x13”x8.5”)
Hydration packs (empty, plastic only, up to 2L)
Water bottles (empty, plastic only, up to 64oz)
Non-pro cameras (disposable, polaroid, film, GoPro—NO tripods)
Sunscreen (non-aerosol), makeup, portable chargers, hats, earplugs, small blankets, umbrellas (parasols ok, no rain umbrellas), fanny packs
NOT allowed:
Professional cameras, tripods, selfie sticks, metal/glass bottles, outside food/drinks, large umbrellas, laptops/tablets, glow sticks, totems, chairs, coolers, drugs, weapons, drones, etc.
🔥 Pro Tip: Bring a portable charger—your phone WILL die.
Reddit-sourced essentials (real advice from HITC vets):
Battery bank (don’t trust your phone’s battery)
Sunscreen (bring extra)
Sunglasses (seriously, it gets bright)
Hat or parasol (parasol = clutch, umbrellas = confiscated)
Hand sanitizer & baby wipes (bathrooms run out fast)
Portable charger and cord
Earplugs (for long sets or if you’re close to speakers)
Cooling towel or hand fan (electric ones are allowed—bring a backup power bank)
Gum/mints and eye drops (dust is real)
Picnic blanket (perfect for chill zones or under trees)
Liquid IV or electrolyte packets (hydrate, hydrate, hydrate)
Small compact mirror, bobby pins, hair ties
Extra shirt or socks, just in case
Portable picnic blanket
Festival map hacks:
Restrooms and charging stations are clearly marked—know your nearest one, especially at night
Medical stations are at all major zones (see the red cross icons)
Lockers: Plan to rent one if you’re bringing extra layers, cameras, or need to stash merch
For 1999 passes, it’s First Come First Serve for the lockers
Pro Tips for 2025:
Non-clear bags are okay (up to 18"x13"x8.5")—security will measure
If you want to camp the barricade, bring snacks and hydrate early
Parasol > umbrella (umbrellas get taken at security, paper parasols sold inside*) not sure if they will but it’s an option
Fans and towels help with heat—Pasadena isn’t as brutal as August, but it’s still summer
New for 2025: Official Festival Map
Scroll down for a hi-res map (save it to your phone). This map is your best friend all weekend—know where the food, bathrooms, merch, charging, and shade spots are. Don’t forget to check out the 1999 Club and VIP zones if you want to upgrade your festival experience.
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.
Parking Tips
Preferred Parking: Closest to the entrance. Good if you want to line up early. Leaving is a little faster if you leave before the crowd, but both General and Preferred share the same exit streets—expect a wait if you leave right at the end.
General Parking: Still not a bad walk, especially if you arrive around doors open. Sometimes you’ll park on the grass.
Pro Tips:
Take a photo of where you parked. It gets dark and can be confusing.
If you don’t care to show up super early, General is usually fine and cheaper.
If you want the easiest Uber/Lyft pickup, consider parking near a shuttle drop-off and using the free festival shuttle, or Uber from downtown Pasadena instead of the stadium.
Public Transit / Rideshare
Metro Gold Line: Goes to Pasadena, then Uber/Lyft or free festival shuttles to the Rose Bowl.
Uber/Lyft: Walk 10–15 minutes away from the venue before ordering to dodge surge pricing.
Hot tip: Use the shuttle to downtown Pasadena and catch a ride from there—less chaos.
Driving: Be patient post-show. It can take 30–60 minutes to get out depending on when you leave.
7. Food & Drink at HITC {#food}
One of the reasons people come back to HITC every year is the food—seriously, it’s that good. For 2025, the festival’s food scene is leveling up, thanks to a full curation by MAMA’S NIGHTMARKET, bringing together a lineup of the best Asian food vendors from across LA and beyond. If you thought festival food was just burgers and fries, you’re in for a real treat.
Why This Matters:
HITC’s food curation is a love letter to Asian flavors and immigrant heritage—so if you’re planning your festival eats, come hungry and ready to try something new.
Official Vendor Highlights:
Bang Bang Noodles: Hand-pulled Chinese noodles, made street-food style by Chef Robert Lee.
Banh Khot Lady: Vietnamese banh khots and eggrolls from a classic mom-and-pop shop.
Bluey & Co.: Asian-inspired drinks (banana milk, ube matcha, pandan lattes, more) plus their Cloud Egg Sando.
BoBaPOP Tea Bar: Premium tea from 12 different countries, sourced and brewed to perfection.
Borneo Kalimantan Cuisine: Authentic Bornean food, the first of its kind in the US.
Golden Leaf, Good Alley, Heng Heng Chicken Rice, Iki Ramen x Iki Nori: All bringing their signature Asian comfort dishes.
JA Jiaozi (VIP Only): Dumplings made with serious attention to heritage and flavor.
Jilli Modern Sool Jib (VIP Only): Korean classics with a modern twist.
Kuramoto Shavery: Japanese shaved ice made with imported ice blocks.
Odd One Out Tea, Pho Ever, Seoul Market Eatery: All standouts for drinks and Korean street food.
Sunright Tea Studio, Takoyaki the Crispy, Golden Skewer x Sweet Grass, Unreal Poke, Yifang Fruit Tea: Teas, poke, takoyaki, and more. No chance you’ll leave hungry.
Special Appearances & Plant-Based Eats:
Forever Pie (VIP Only): Viral vegan pizza that’s honestly worth a try even for meat-eaters.
Kogi & Tacos Por Vida by Kogi: LA’s legendary Korean-Mexican fusion.
Maneatingplant, Monty’s Good Burger: Top-tier vegan/vegetarian, including that matcha everyone’s talking about.
Rokstar Chicken, Shlap Muan, The Boiling Crab x King’s Hawaiian: Korean fried chicken, Khmer wings, and Cajun seafood boils, plus those fluffy King’s Hawaiian rolls.
MELONA: The OG honeydew ice cream bar, straight from Asia.
Pro Tip: The lines for the big names (Bang Bang Noodles, Kogi, Boiling Crab) get LONG. Hit these early or during a main stage set when crowds are lower.
Drinks: Bubble tea is everywhere this year—don’t skip Odd One Out Tea, Sunright, or BoBaPOP if you’re a boba fan.
HITC is fully cashless. All major credit cards and contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Wallet, Samsung Pay) accepted.
If you show up with cash, you can convert it to a prepaid Visa at festival stations.
🧭 Bonus Travel Tips from HITC Fans {#fan-tips}
We combed through Reddit threads to gather firsthand advice from solo travelers and returning HITC fans—here’s what they wish they knew before booking.
🛬 Fly Into Burbank If You Can
Burbank Airport (BUR) was the overwhelming fan favorite. It’s closer to Pasadena, less crowded, and faster for Uber pickups than LAX.
“There’s a reason driving someone to LAX is a symbol of love in LA. It’s a nightmare.” – ThePlebianNerd
Pro tip: Walk a few blocks from Burbank airport before calling a ride to avoid airport surcharge fees.
🍩 Bonus Burbank Tip: Porto’s Bakery
Flying into BUR? Make a stop at Porto’s Bakery for their iconic cheese rolls and potato balls. The line looks long but moves fast—and it’s worth it.
🏨 Where Fans Are Staying
Pasadena hotels are notoriously pricey during HITC, so fans suggest:
Koreatown – Cheaper stays, late-night eats, nightlife
Glendale, Arcadia, San Gabriel – Affordable & safe
Freehand Hotel Hostel (DTLA) – Budget option, short Uber ride
“I booked a place in K-Town for wayyy cheaper. Tons of food and close enough to Uber in.” – dragonballer888
🚗 Transportation Tips from Veterans
Renting a car may be cheaper than stacking Uber/Lyft rides all weekend (especially if you plan to explore LA).
Under 25? Be aware of young driver fees—this discouraged some solo travelers.
If you stick to Uber/Lyft, consider a temporary subscription to Uber One or Lyft Pink for discounts. Activate it the week of the festival, then cancel afterward.
🚨 Avoiding Surge Pricing Post-Festival
After the festival ends, walk a few blocks away from the venue before requesting your ride. You’ll avoid massive surge prices and faster driver matchups.
🚊 Public Transit is an Option… Kinda
Some fans used the FlyAway Bus from LAX to Union Station ($10), followed by the Metro Gold Line to Pasadena ($1.75). It’s cheap but not always the most convenient—especially for newcomers unfamiliar with LA’s transit.
“Union Station confuses a lot of people. Make your plan as simple as possible.” – inmemoryofartax
Best fan tips from Reddit:
"Get to Pasadena early. The freeway gets packed. Plan to arrive by noon, don’t waste gas circling the loop before lots open at 11am."
– dan13l858
"Bring an electric fan. Update your HITC app and have your tickets ready."
– luvmillz
"If you’re taking the free shuttle from Old Town Pasadena, you’re fine arriving at 12:45pm for gates open."
– Asiu1990
"Picnic blanket, parasol, and a portable fan will save your life in the pit."
– Substantial-Look-225
"Sunscreen, sunglasses, wipes, gum, extra clothes, mirror, cooling towel, and a portable charger. If you’re short, try to be near the side rail for better views instead of dead center."
– AdhesivenessLumpy514
For shorter fans and VIP:
Don’t stress about barricade unless you love the crowd. Side rails are often less crowded and still get a great view.
If you only care about main headliners, you can arrive later but will be further back. It’s less intense and still a good time.
Umbrella vs. Parasol?
Official rule: Parasol (paper/fabric, no metal tips) is fine. Umbrellas = no go. If in doubt, buy the parasol inside.
Shade is limited after noon. Have a hat or small umbrella just in case.
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. FAQ: Quick Answers
Lightsticks? Officially banned, but people have brought them in before. Use at your own risk. I saw a post that I can’t find now that said they emailed and said its okay to bring You are allowed to bring lightsticks
Bag policy? Non-clear bags are allowed up to 18”x13”x8.5”.
Ticket transfer? Yes, through the HITC app and AXS.
Wristbands? Shipped to early buyers, or pick up at the fest.
Parking? Preferred is closer but exits are the same. Shuttle parking is free and can make Uber easier.
Food? Festival has some of the best Asian food options anywhere.
Cashless? 100%. Use card or contactless, or convert cash on-site.
10. 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 comeback – Don’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! 🎶🔥
Got more updates, tips, or questions? DM me on IG @N.C028 or leave a comment below!
