Lights All Night 2025: An Odyssey of Music, Art, and New Year’s Magic

For over a decade, Lights All Night (LAN) has stood as the crown jewel of Texas’s New Year’s Eve circuit. It is a closing ceremony for the electronic music calendar and a glowing invitation for ravers to step into a brand-new year as one. The 2025 edition elevated the legacy with upgraded production, immersive art installations, thoughtful community-oriented activities, and one of the strongest line-ups Dallas has seen in years.

As a long-time attendee and a reporter for the EDM community, I experienced both nights from the heart of the crowd. It was a journey through a living, breathing ecosystem of light. 

Photo Credit: Lights All Night

Lights All Night 2025 Day 1

The first day of Lights All Night 2025 set the tone with a seamless entry. Security was efficient, respectful, and provided a welcoming energy into the festival. Once inside, the atmosphere was electric. Attendees arrived draped in LED accessories and fresh glitter, their collective intention clear: to dance away the final days of the year.

My first destination was the main stage, The Metroplex, where techno powerhouse Sara Landry was already in total command. It was my first time seeing the “High Priestess of Hard Techno” live, and she exceeded every expectation. Her set was a whirlwind of pulsing, hypnotic rhythms - clean but gritty in all the right places. As an opener, she lit the fuse for the entire festival.

Beyond the stages, Lights All Night transformed Dallas Market Hall into an interactive playground. The “Light Hallway”, a glowing tunnel of shifting hues, became a portal for transit, while LED seesaws became attendees’ favorites. There were other various playful props designed for sitting or serving as catalysts for spontaneous human connection. 

Lights All Night also placed a heavy emphasis on community wellness. The End Overdose booth stood out as a highlight, offering free Narcan training and a sanctuary for those needing a breather. This commitment safely added a layer of responsibility and compassion to the festival environment. Nearby, the Light Strike tent offered a literal glow-up, providing coconut-water-based cocktails and complimentary glitter services. I took advantage of the service and walked back into the crowd, sparkling.

I closed the evening at the Watering Hole for Lucas DiLeo, who delivered one of the most unified sets of the weekend. His ability to read the room and fuel the energy with precision is phenomenal. There was a unique thrill in watching Lucas guide the crowd effortlessly before heading back to the Metroplex for Mau P. His smooth, melodic house curation was the perfect “final chapter” for Day 1, leaving me energized yet protective, saving some fuel for the New Year’s Eve countdown upon us.

Photo Credit: Lights All Night

Lights All Night 2025 Day 2

Day 2 of Lights All Night 2025 was a completely different animal in the best way. The crowd had doubled in size and creativity. The fashion gave NYE aesthetic vibes: metallic fabrics, themed makeup, and intricate clothing designs that belong on a runway.

The night’s first explosion came from Crankdat. His set gave off a sensory eruption in the best way possible. With laser arrays firing in every direction and at least 15 active lasers at once, the visuals were perfectly synced to Crankdat’s drops. It was polished, unhinged, and emotionally charged.

Between sets, I visited the vendor village to see Sick Beets. Their booth has become a staple for Texas ravers, offering rave apparel, accessories, and custom designs that feel more like “wearable art” than traditional festival merch. It served as a gathering point for creatives, ravers, artists, and the fashion-forward crowd to admire the craftsmanship of our community.

The beauty of Lights All Night is the “stumble-upon” discovery. I wandered into Grabbitz’s set with no expectations and left a fan. His energy was infectious, and his connection with the audience was incredibly authentic. Singing his own tracks live, he brought a raw, vocal vulnerability that is often missing from major festivals. For the midnight countdown, I found myself on the rails for TVBOO, whose “chaotic-good” energy and blend of humor and unpredictability kept us rail-riders engaged from 2025 to 2026. 

Then came the moment we all waited for: KNOCK2’s New Year's closing set. After the clock struck midnight and we entered 2026, the energy inside Dallas Market Hall had shifted from a party to a roaring stadium-like force. KNOCK2’s performance felt like a second wind of pure adrenaline, carrying us through the first hours of the new year and closing out Lights All Night 2025 with relentless momentum.

Photo Credit: Lights All Night

Lights All Night 2025 was a masterpiece of movement, humor, and connection. Every moment added a brushstroke to a larger picture of what rave culture can be. From the wellness initiatives to the tremendous production across the Market Center, the festival proved that it truly understands its audience. As both a reporter and a raver, I left Lights All Night feeling rejuvenated, exactly how a New Year’s celebration should make you feel. 

Here's to another year of lights, sound, and the unforgettable nights that keep us coming back.

With love, Xunny.