"How to Budget for an EDM Festival (With a Worksheet)"
Quick answer: The ticket is only the first line. Add fees and taxes, then travel, a place to sleep, food, merch and a cushion for the stuff you forgot. Fill in the worksheet below with real quotes before you buy. [1][2]
We built Drop because we missed too many shows, and we've also overspent on a few. This is the method we use. It has seven steps and no made-up averages. Prices change by festival and year, so the worksheet has blanks for you to fill with real numbers.
Step 1: Pick the ticket tier and read the all-in price
Most big festivals sell a general admission pass, an upgraded GA, and VIP. EDC Las Vegas 2027 lists GA, GA+ and VIP, sold as single-weekend passes or a combined pass for both weekends. [1] Ultra's ticketing terms don't publish prices, so check its official ticket page. [2]
Look at the total, not the headline. EDC's ticket page says you see the full cost up front, ticket plus fees, with taxes and delivery fees added separately. [1] As an example, EDC lists a Dusk GA pass at $479.99, made of $389 face value plus $90.99 in fees. [1] That's about 23% on top (our math from the page).
The page warns that current pricing may vary because ticket tiers may have sold out, so treat the figures as one data point from Oct 2026.
Write down: tier, total shown, taxes and delivery.
Step 2: Check what fees can legally hide
Since May 12, 2025, an FTC rule requires live-event ticket sellers to include known mandatory fees in the advertised price. Charges like taxes or shipping that can't be calculated up front must be disclosed before you give final payment. [3] Sellers can still charge fees. The price they show has to reflect the true cost. [3]
Fees can still be big. Ultra's ticketing terms say additional fees can add up, in some cases to as much as 26% of a ticket's face value. [2] Those terms also say service and additional fees are not refundable, even if a refund is issued. [2]
Write down: the total at the last checkout screen, not the first.
Step 3: Decide if a payment plan fits
Some festivals let you pay over time. EDC's 2027 ticket page shows a $10 deposit on each pass but doesn't explain a plan, so read the checkout terms before assuming one. [1] Ultra's terms mention "layaway fees" as a possible extra charge, without describing a plan. [2]
Before you sign up for one:
- Find out whether the plan adds a fee. [2]
- Ask what happens if you miss a payment.
- Know the refund rules. Ultra's terms say tickets are not refundable. [2]
- Put every due date in your calendar.
Write down: number of payments, fee per payment, and the date the last one hits.
Step 4: Price the trip
For an out-of-town festival, travel and lodging can add up fast. We can't give you a trustworthy average because it depends on the city and the weekend. Get real quotes:
- Flight, gas or train for you and everyone sharing the trip.
- Parking or shuttles. If you camp at EDC, the FAQ lists an Additional Parking Pass for members of your group arriving separately at $95 plus taxes and fees. [4]
- Rideshare to and from the venue.
- Lodging, or camping.
The same FTC fee rule covers short-term lodging, so a hotel's advertised price should include the mandatory fees it already knows about. [3] Still, scroll to the final screen and read the total before you pay.
Splitting a room can cut the per-person cost a lot. Book early, then check whether the cancellation window is free.
Write down: transport, parking, local rides, nights x room cost / number of people.
Step 5: Budget food and water
Outside food and drinks are banned at EDC, Ultra and Decadence, so plan to buy food inside. [6][7] Our rule: eat a real meal before you go in, and budget for at least one more inside.
Water is where you can save. EDC says it offers free water stations all weekend. [5] You can bring an empty reusable bottle there [6], but Ultra bans bottles and canteens, and allows empty hydration packs that aren't backpacks. [7] Check your festival's page, then fill up for free.
Write down: meals inside x price per meal, plus drinks you plan to buy.
Step 6: Plan for cashless, merch and extras
EDC Las Vegas says it is a cashless event. Credit, debit, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Android Pay are accepted, and cash can be exchanged onsite for a prepaid card. [4] Its amenities page lists lockers, which you may want to rent. [5] Lockers are extra, so budget a line for them.
Pick a cap for the weekend. Merch is where good intentions fall apart, and tapping a card or phone makes it easy to lose count. Check your bank app each night.
Write down: lockers, merch cap, extras like earplugs, sunscreen or a poncho.
Step 7: Add a buffer and a "no-regret" rule
Add a cushion for surprises: a late ride home, a replaced phone charger, a missed flight. We add about a tenth of the total. That's our habit, not a rule from a source.
Then set a "no-regret" rule: if the total makes you wince, drop the VIP upgrade before you drop the trip.
The worksheet
Copy this into your notes.
| Line | Your quote | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ticket (tier, total with fees) | $ | |
| Taxes and delivery | $ | Added at checkout [1] |
| Payment plan fee | $ | Ask before signing up [2] |
| Transport (flight, gas, train) | $ | |
| Parking or shuttle | $ | |
| Local rideshare | $ | |
| Lodging (per person) | $ | |
| Food inside | $ | |
| Drinks | $ | |
| Locker | $ | |
| Merch cap | $ | |
| Gear (earplugs, sunscreen, bag) | $ | |
| Buffer | $ | |
| Total | $ | |
| Total / months until the festival | $ | Monthly savings goal |
Common questions
When should I buy? Tiers can sell out. EDC's page says current pricing may vary because ticket tiers may have sold out. [1] Drop is the app we built to find shows near you, so you can decide early.
Are fees refundable? Not usually. Ultra's terms say service and additional fees are not refundable. [2]
Can I get my ticket money back if I can't go? Ultra's terms state that tickets are not refundable, except as the event organizer decides in its sole discretion. [2] Read your festival's terms before you pay.
Don't miss the next on-sale
Drop is the app we built to find shows near you. It helps us see what is coming before the budget math turns into regret. Go find your next one.
Sources
All accessed 2026-10-18. Prices and policies change. Recheck the official page before you buy.
- EDC Las Vegas, "Tickets" (EDC Las Vegas 2027), https://lasvegas.edc.com/tickets/
- Ultra Music Festival, "Ticketing Terms and Conditions" (2027), https://ultramusicfestival.com/ticketing-terms-and-conditions-2027
- Federal Trade Commission (consumer.ftc.gov), "What the Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees means for you" (May 12, 2025), https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/05/what-rule-unfair-or-deceptive-fees-means-you
- EDC Las Vegas, "FAQ", https://lasvegas.edc.com/guide/faq/
- EDC Las Vegas, "Amenities & Services", https://lasvegas.edc.com/guide/amenities-services/
- EDC Las Vegas, "Hours & Info", https://lasvegas.edc.com/guide/hours-and-info/ ; Decadence NYE, "Rules", https://decadencenye.com/info/rules/ (outside food and drink banned; empty bottle allowed at EDC and Decadence)
- Ultra Music Festival, "Prohibited Items List" (2027), https://ultramusicfestival.com/health-safety/prohibited-items-list/