Neon Nights and Star Power: Inside the 2025 Neon Carnival at Coachella
- Bill Bakho
- Apr 24
- 2 min read
As the sun set on Saturday, April 12th, the desert shimmered with anticipation, not just for Coachella's main acts but for the most exclusive after-hours celebration of the season: Neon Carnival. Held at the Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, California, and presented by PATRÓN EL ALTO Tequila, the 14th annual Neon Carnival proved why it remains the gold standard of post-festival revelry.
Created by nightlife impresario Brent Bolthouse and produced by Jeffrey Best of Best Events, Neon Carnival has evolved from a secret industry gathering into the most coveted invitation of the year, a place where music, fashion, and culture collide under the stars. Transformed into a dazzling playground of light, sound, and sensory overload, the carnival's nostalgic rides and glowing game booths set the stage for a night of uninhibited glamour and soundtracked euphoria.
Charly Jordan ignited the dance floor early with her electrifying mixes, weaving together deep house and high-energy beats that hooked the crowd from the first drop. As the night gained momentum, Chase B & Friends took over the decks, delivering a pulse-pounding set that turned the desert into a full-on dance utopia. But the actual climax came when Grammy Award-winning artist Anderson .Paak, in his vinyl-spinning alter ego DJ Pee .Wee, headlined the event with a soulful, all-vinyl set. The dance floor erupted as he effortlessly blended funk, soul, and classic grooves, bringing the party to peak energy under the desert stars.
Adding even more heat to the night, The Pharcyde delivered a surprise performance with their iconic tracks "Pass Me By" and "Runnin'," while Too $hort had the crowd shouting every word of his West Coast anthem "Blow the Whistle." It was a perfectly curated mix of nostalgia and new-age energy that made the night unforgettable.
Making a grand entrance, Paris Hilton stunned in a custom outfit from Crop It Like It's Hot, who once again claimed her crown as the queen of desert nightlife. She kicked up her head-turning fashion moment with a thick black leather choker necklace, adorned with a multi-layer silver chain. Paris on accessorized the edgy ensemble with a white fringe shawl that shimmered under the lights, futuristic black sunglasses, and sleek patent leather Givenchy boots that completed her high-glam desert look.
The 2025 guest list sparkled with familiar faces and festival favorites, including Teyana Taylor, Lori Harvey, Karrueche Tran, Wiz Khalifa, Lance Bass, and Rachel Zoe. They all brought their signature style and star power to the desert's most glamorous night.
With PATRÓN EL ALTO Tequila serving as the evening's presenting sponsor, the bar was set for high style and high spirits. Bespoke cocktails flowed throughout the night, adding a luxe twist to every toast and turn on the dance floor.
As carnival lights flickered against the desert sky and music pulsed through the warm night air, Neon Carnival 2025 solidified its reputation as not just a party but an iconic celebration of music and life.
Until next year, we'll be dreaming in music beats and bright neon colors.
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