As one of the biggest electronic music festivals in the country, EDC Orlando welcomed 300,000 ravers last weekend to behold an audiovisual spectacle that includes big-name DJs, pyrotechnics, massive stages, lasers and a drone show. Now some of them are saying they felt unsafe there.
Tickets for this year’s three-day festival were sold out, meaning there were nearly 100,000 ravers each day, Nov. 7-9, at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium. Those visitors travel from around the country and the world, providing an estimated $110 million economic impact for the greater Orlando area.
Following this year’s festival, event organizers are responding to criticism posted to Facebook, Instagram and Reddit from attendees that this year’s event was too crowded and that there was only one area to refill water for free. On Sunday night, some fans experienced what they described as a crowd crush or crowd surge, similar to what happened at Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival in 2021, which led to 10 deaths.
Pasquale Rotella, founder and CEO of event producer Insomniac, said that the festival logged no injuries in relation to the Sunday night incident. He referred to it as a “peak transition period” as fans navigated between stages, although it left some ravers unable to move and trapped in a sea of people for up to 30 minutes. A few fans reported having panic attacks or difficulty breathing.
Melissa L., a festival attendee from Atlanta who declined to use her last name, said she fainted in the tightly packed crowd of people, which materialized behind the Stereo Bloom stage and in between two of the main festival pathways.
“I began to have real fear for my physical safety and then began to experience lightheadedness and my legs felt weak,” she said in an Instagram direct message. “I frantically looked around and began to cry. I then said to my boyfriend “I feel like I’m going to pass out. I can’t breathe.’”
After fainting, she said it took her boyfriend and a stranger 15 minutes to carry her to a main road.
“Once I regained consciousness my vision was blurry and my ears were ringing. I was extremely disoriented and crying uncontrollably,” Melissa L. said. “Once I returned to my Airbnb and got settled into bed, I was having muscle spasms on my left side from my neck to my arms down into my legs. The pain in my collarbone has only increased since the incident.”
Festival attendee Olivia Sanchez said that she had “never felt so unsafe at a festival before.”
Fireworks burst over the Kinetic Field stage on the final night of EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
The Orlando skyline can be seen in the background during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
The Kinetic Field stage has hundreds of lights and an owl as its centerpiece during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
The stage at Kinetic Field features a large owl, lasers and hundreds of lights at EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A pair of ravers wear light-up costumes during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 8, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
The stage at Kinetic Field features a large owl, lasers and hundreds of lights at EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Butterflies soar behind the crowd at the Circuit Grounds stage at EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Festival attendees gathers for a group shot during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Festival-goers make their way down power path during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 8, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A giant owl is the centerpiece of the Kinetic Field stage during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Festival-goers pack into Kinetic Field during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
“The Lovers” is a statue and art installation at EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Fans enjoy a set from music producer Wooli at the Circuit Grounds stage during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A drone show wraps up night one of EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 8, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Lasers shine in every direction from the Kinetic Field Stage during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Festival attendees gather for a photo with street performers during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A drone show complete with aerial pyrotechnics concludes the final night of EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Tens of thousands of festival attendees walk around during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Tens of thousands of attendees pack into the grounds surrounding Camping World Stadium during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
The Orlando skyline can be seen in the background during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Festival attendees enjoy a set at the Kinetic Field stage during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Tens of thousands of attendees pack into the grounds surrounding Camping World Stadium during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Lasers burst over the Circuit Grounds stage during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Tens of thousands of attendees pack into the grounds surrounding Camping World Stadium during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A totem has an alien holding a cat during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Clowns perform on the street during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A street performer poses for a photo during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Lasers burst over Kinetic Field during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Fireworks burst over Kinetic Field during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Daisy Fields has a pyrotechnic “Flower Tower” and food vendors during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A hula hooper twirls and spins during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A massive owl is the centerpiece of the Kinetic Field stage during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
The Orlando skyline is seen in the background as festival-goers pack into EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Festival-goers make their way into EDC Orlando during the final event day at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Festival attendees walk along Pixel Path during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Festival-goers make their way into EDC Orlando during the final event day at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Festival attendees are dressed as characters from SpongeBob during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Pixel Forest is a new installation for 2025 during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A drone show closes out opening night of EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Daisy Fields has a pyrotechnic “Flower Tower” and food vendors during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Lasers shine above the crowd at Kinetic Field during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
The Kinetic Field stage features an owl as its centerpiece, plus hundreds of lights and lasers during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A drone show closes out opening night of EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Festival-goers make their way into EDC Orlando, as seen in the reflection of a totem, during the final event day at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Lasers shine above the crowd at Kinetic Field during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Aerialists perform at the Circuit Grounds stage during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 8, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A giant owl is the focal point of the Kinetic Field stage during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Tens of thousands of festival-goers pack into EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A fireworks and drone show is a staple of opening ceremony at Kinetic Field during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Tens of thousands of festival-goers pack into EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Festival attendees take a ride on the Ferris wheel during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Festival-goers walk along Daisy Lane to Casa Bacardi during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Illuminated flowers are a focal point of Daisy Lane during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A massive owl is the centerpiece of the Kinetic Field stage during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Alok and Green Velvet perform a back-to-back set during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Circuit Grounds features pyrotechnics on the stage during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 8, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A drone and fireworks show closes out opening night of EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Caspa performs at the Stereo Bloom stage during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Tens of thousands of ravers pile into EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Festival attendees are dressed as Minions during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
“The Lovers” statue is one of the art installations during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A fireworks and drone show is a staple of opening ceremony at Kinetic Field during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A group of festival attendees wear pineapple hats during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Festival attendees walk along Pixel Path during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Dancers perform on the Neon Garden stage during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Festival attendees walk along Daisy Lane during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Festival-goers navigate Power Path during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Lasers shine above the crowd at the Circuit Grounds stage during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A giant owl is the focal point of the Kinetic Field stage during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Lights and lasers burst over the crowd at Kinetic Field during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A fireworks and drone show concludes the final night of EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Glowing bandanas are for sale during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A fireworks and drone show concludes the final night of EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Street performers stand for a photo during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A fireworks and drone show concludes the final night of EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
One festival totem makes a reference to SpongeBob during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A fireworks and drone show is a staple of opening ceremony at Kinetic Field during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A fireworks show is a staple of opening ceremony at Kinetic Field during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A fireworks show is a staple of opening ceremony at Kinetic Field during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Festival attendees take a ride on the Ferris wheel during EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
A drone and fireworks show closes out opening night of EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 7, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
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Fireworks burst over the Kinetic Field stage on the final night of EDC Orlando at Tinker Field outside of Camping World Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
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“I’ve been raving and going to music festivals since 2006, and I’ve never seen anything like that. It was super dangerous,” she said. “I’ve been to Ultra, Electric Forest and Coachella. This is my fourth EDC. This is by far the worst crowd surge I’ve been through. For me, it lasted about 30 minutes.”
The experience left Sanchez wondering if it’s safe to return to EDC Orlando next year.
“I thought it was a really awful way to end the weekend. Aside from that, it was a good weekend and a great time with my friends,” she said. “That left us all thinking that we don’t want to come back to that. If it was like that this year, how is it going to be for next year?”
After the incident, EDC Orlando’s Ground Control staff was directing traffic in the high-congestion area.
Two days after the festival, Rotella acknowledged in a social media post that EDC Orlando had received comments and concerns from “headliners,” the festival’s term for attendees. He attributed some of the crowd flow issues to a rainstorm that halted music before sunset on Sunday, leaving “mud and puddles that forced headliners to avoid certain areas, which shrank the usable space around the stages and narrowed walkways.”
“As soon as we became aware of the situation, our command center deployed a response team of Ground Control and security personnel to stop additional fans from entering the area and to redirect attendees through alternate paths,” Rotella said in a written statement provided to the Orlando Sentinel. “Once these measures were in place, the area opened up and crowd flow returned to normal. Thankfully, no one was injured, but I truly hate when anyone feels unsafe or experiences anxiety in a moment like that.”
He said that the festival’s capacity is set by the fire marshal and other safety authorities, noting that this year’s approved capacity was 105,000 people, the same as last year. Rotella also said that this year, steps were taken to adjust to expand dance floors and improve crowd circulation and flow, and that the one large water station at this event was placed to “alleviate congestion pinch points.”
While hundreds of comments across social media platforms were focused on crowd control issues, other ravers said this event was filled with connection and memories.
“I went to EDCO for the first time, my first festival and rave! It was the most beautiful thing I experienced in my life,” one Reddit user posted. “The music, the people, the vibes, I’m beyond grateful, and so excited for what’s to come for me.”
Andrea Otero, a spokesperson for the City of Orlando, said in an email statement that the event provides “significant economic impact” for Central Florida.
“The event supports local hotels, restaurants and small businesses, driving revenue that extends well beyond the festival weekend,” she said. “Hosting an event of this scale requires extensive planning and coordination. The City of Orlando works closely with Insomniac and partners across public safety, transportation, and venue operations to ensure a safe and seamless experience for all attendees.”
Rotella said Insomniac will actively work to improve crowd movement for next year’s event while working with the City of Orlando to factor in the approved $400 million renovation of Camping World Stadium. Next week, the team behind the event will meet for “after-action” reviews to identify improvements for next year, something they do after each festival.
“This project will widen pathways and enhance venue flow, with some improvements set to be completed by 2026 and more updates rolling out through 2027,” he said. “Additionally, we’ll invest millions into modifications beyond the stadium plan that will benefit EDC and other events. We’re exploring innovative ideas for crowd movement and space enhancements, from layout changes to operational adjustments, and will share finalized plans soon.”
Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. Stay up to date with our latest travel, arts and events coverage by subscribing to our newsletters at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.
