HiJinx For The Holidays: Full Sends Only

Closing out 2025 on a high note, Philadelphia’s premier EDM festival, HiJinx, returned for its 7th annual edition, delivering an endless supply of bass drops, mind-blowing production, and plenty of PLUR to go around. On December 27th and 28th, thousands of festival-goers packed the Philadelphia Convention Center, which had been transformed into an immersive sanctuary topped with sensory-driven art installations. From the moment you stepped inside, you were met with vibrant neon lights, towering inflatables, and massive tentacles, making the indoor setting feel like a real festival escape.

HiJinx never fails to curate a star-studded lineup that attracts ravers from coast to coast. This year’s edition even earned the nickname “Cryjinx” thanks to its stacked roster of melodic bass artists. Fans were treated to two consecutive days of memorable sets from headliners GRiZ, Gryffin, ILLENIUM b2b SLANDER, Seven Lions, Knock2, and Skull Machine. The next tier was just as impressive, with bass visionaries Daily Bread, Zingara, and William Black keeping the momentum high.

As a melodic bass lover myself, I knew I couldn’t pass up this year’s lineup. Channeling HiJinx’s signature catchphrase, “Full Sends Only,” I booked my train ticket and made a full send. Though I was a first-time HiJinx attendee, it didn’t take long to realize what the hype was all about. Upon entering, volunteer HiFivers welcomed you with loads of high fives, positive vibes, and a surge of adrenaline that instantly had everyone pumped.

The Convention Center had a cavernous, warehouse-like feel, but despite being indoors, the space never felt confining. Instead, it amplified the production, sound quality, and crowd energy. At the center of the 1 million sq. ft. venue sat a bazaar-style vendor village, with food, bars, and bathrooms lining the perimeter. If you needed a break from all the hijinx, the Jellyfish Lounge was the perfect spot to recharge.

Aside from being indoors, one of HiJinx’s defining characteristics is its single stage that stretched across the entire complex. Towering LED panels behind the stage brought each artist’s set to life with custom, mesmerizing visuals. To top it all off, the booming sound system shook your entire body, and if you weren’t wearing earplugs, I would’ve felt sorry for you. Having zero concerns about weather or conflicting set times made it easy to stay fully present and soak in every moment.

The energy on the dancefloor was infectious from the minute the doors opened. Everywhere you looked, ravers were hugging, dancing, losing themselves in the music, and radiating pure joy. Kandi trading was in full effect, and I left each night with pockets full of trinkets and goodies. I was even gifted a Seven Lions perler necklace that I’ll cherish forever. Some say PLUR is dead, but if there’s one thing I learned at HiJinx, it is alive and well.

On the first day, I was most looking forward to my all-time favorite DJ, Seven Lions. It would be the first I’d see him play tracks off his newly-released album Asleep in the Garden of Infernal Stars. His set was a masterclass in contrast, effortlessly balancing heavy basslines and soaring melodies that tugged at the heartstrings. He also sprinkled in classic throwbacks like “Strangers” and “First Time” that had attendees singing along in unison.

However, midway through his set, the music abruptly stopped and the LED screens began flashing “Attention! Programming Temporarily Paused.” Initially we thought it was part of his set, until a scissor lift rolled through the crowd and paused beneath a giant vent. That’s when we realized a piece of the vent was dangling from the ceiling. HiJinx’s swift and seamless removal of the vent was genuinely impressive, and once it was resolved, Seven Lions had to find his groove again. But like the professional he is, he quickly reeled the audience back in and reminded everyone why he reigns as the king of melodic bass.

Another honorable mention goes to Gryffin who performed on day two. It was one of the most sonically diverse sets all weekend, jam-packed with banger after banger. He showcased the full scope of his discography, and fan favorites like “Feel Good” with ILLENIUM and Daya, and “Nobody Compares to You” featuring Katie Pearlman certainly had the audience feeling good.

HiJinx isn’t complete without GRiZ. Making a triumphant return for his fifth HiJinx, the funky bass legend dropped the weekend’s most highly-anticipated set. And as the festival-closer, he clearly understood the assignment. Flawlessly blending live saxophone solos with face-melting bass, he dominated the stage and had the crowd hooked. He also brought out vocal powerhouse Kaleena Zanders to sing their hit collab, “Nobody Else.” GRiZ’s set proved why he’s a HiJinx staple, leaving the crowd buzzing and ending the weekend on the highest note possible.

HiJinx sets the standard for what an indoor festival can be, bringing an epic lineup, next-level production, and a true escape from reality year after year. Since its inception in 2018, HiJinx has cultivated a tight-knit community while solidifying itself as a must-attend event on the festival calendar. Safe to say, it’s already marked on my calendar for next year!