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! 🚀
Updated May 13, 2025 – Full Set Times + Ticket Prices Added
1. Head In The Clouds LA 2025 Overview {#overview}
The Head In The Clouds (HITC) LA 2025 festival, hosted by 88rising, is back and bigger than ever. With K-pop legends like G-Dragon and 2NE1, plus a surprise return from Dean, this year’s lineup is making waves across the industry. 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.
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)
🔥 Pro Tip: Bring a portable charger—your phone WILL die.
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.
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.
🧭 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
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. 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! 🎶🔥
