Hocus Pocus hit Factory Town from dusk to dawn with its biggest lineup yet spread across three days and brought an incredible experience.
As someone living in Miami, I can confidently say that Hocus Pocus outdoes itself with every edition. Returning to the city’s iconic Factory Town from October 31 to November 2, this year’s edition of the festival was a blend of top-notch spooky décor, incredible production, and the perfect blend of tech house sounds.
Presented by Link Miami Rebels, this year’s festival delivered three nights of nonstop energy across four stages, featuring over 75 DJs — some of whom are global superstars — for its most impressive lineup to date. From the moment the crowds stepped inside, Factory Town morphed into Miami’s very own Halloween town.
The attention to detail was immediately noticeable. Between dark and eerie decorations and aesthetically pleasing pink lights, the entire venue was transformed into a sweet yet spooky Halloween wonderland. Miami’s crowds love festivities — it wasn’t a question of whether to dress up all three days.
Costumed attendees made the scene feel like a field trip to the theme park for music lovers. In tandem with the venue, they dispersed a free-spirited, feel-good energy throughout. Each of the four stages presented a different experience for attendees, with big and small stages for both light, open-air and darker, big-room vibes.
One of the most impressive this year was the Park Stage, which looked like a massive tunnel of lasers with multiple elevated sections ensuring everyone had a great view.
The production was crisp and electric, with vibrant red and green lights cutting through the crowd. The Park Stage became a techno paradise, with Charlotte de Witte’s set on Halloween night setting the tone for the weekend. Another star of the weekend at the stage was Patrick Mason, whose performance delivered fun, free, and upbeat vibes for a perfect final day of Hocus Pocus. And, thanks to daylight savings, Mason gifted the crowd an extra hour. The VIP area was unique and included a charming tea room tucked away at the back — just one of the many unexpected but fun features.
The Infinity Room, an enormous, open-air space with palm trees perched above a grooving crowd, was quite the sight to see.
Acting as the main stage, its surprisingly spacious layout and VIP areas made it a favorite among attendees. The top-tier lineup made it all the better. Ben Sterling, dressed as Jack Sparrow, set the tone with a playful yet powerful performance that had the crowd dancing incessantly. Rossi, one of the hottest talents rising from London’s club scene, had The Infinity Room packed to the brim playing the electric sort of minimal that Miami’s crowds increasingly seek.
Closing out the festival, Joseph Capriati and Jamie Jones‘s b2b set had what seemed like the entire venue beaming and grooving, including those who usually go for harder techno styles. The seamless mix of tech and minimal house was a masterclass in keeping the energy alive. With palm trees towering over as the sun rose, this stage played host to a picture-perfect memory for the thousands of attendees.
Espacio Proximo offered a vibrant contrast to the rest of the festival with its smaller, open-air setup nestled against the industrial, grungy backdrop of Factory Town.
Pink lights and festive decor transformed this space into an intimate dance haven. The lineup featured some of the best Afro house artists, with memorable sets from Ahmed Spins B2B Maz and Francis Mercier b2b Nitefreak kicking off the weekend on a high note. Complementing the scenic setting were pulsating beats and euphoric melodies, creating a warm, inclusive atmosphere, as attendees perched up on platforms to dance.
Cypress End was tucked away in a corner, but it nonetheless delivered good music and vibes.
Vibrant sounds bounced between its walls thanks to acts like Classmatic and Miguelle & Tons, who spun underground tech house for their Two and A Half Cats label party. Cypress End drew in loyal crowds looking for a raw and authentic set. The stage was a perfect addition to the diverse layout and experiences offered by Hocus Pocus.
There was plenty more in store beyond the music at those stages.
The bus activation by MokiWorld, a standout from her previous appearance at III Points Festival in October, was decked out with vibrant decorations and provided a cozy, chill space for festival-goers to take a breather. One of the most anticipated additions was the haunted house, offering a classic experience to add to the Halloween spirit.
Vendor booths throughout the venue added to the immersive experience, featuring everything from coffee stands to unique, handmade goods and merch booths. Hocus Pocus didn’t hold back on the food, either. With a wide variety of food options and vendors, there was something to satisfy every craving, including a local Miami favorite, The Wolf of Tacos.
For Miami locals and visitors alike, Hocus Pocus has become a staple in the festival calendar.
If you’re a dance music lover and want to experience Halloween like never before while enjoying Miami’s famous sunsets and dancing with your friends, Hocus Pocus is the place to be. It’s gotten bigger, better, and spookier by the year, so we can’t wait to see what 2025 brings.
