Rave Rules: Your Ultimate Guide to Attending a Rave Party

Going to your first rave?? Booyah, biotch! Raves are the experience of a lifetime. The dance floor is packed with free-spirited peeps who are there to spread love and have a freaking blast. Rave culture gives you full permission to be your true authentic self without fear of judgment. You might even make some new festie besties!

Raves are also a lot to take in. The thought of attending one can be a little overwhelming at first. What are the rules? What should you wear? How should you dance? We’re gonna answer all these questions and more to get you ready for your first rave party. This guide covers popular slang, rave etiquette, packing essentials and what to wear to a rave.

Read on to make your first rave the best one ever!

Rave Slang You Need to Know

Let’s start with the basics. If you’re gonna go to a rave, you gotta know the lingo! Rave culture is very unique, and ravers have their own words to describe it. Here’s the most common slang you’ll hear at a rave party:

• P.L.U.R.: This acronym stands for peace, love, unity and respect. People use P.L.U.R. while interacting with their fellow ravers. Raves are all about accepting people for who they are, no matter what they look like or where they came from. Treat other ravers with P.L.U.R. so that everyone can have a great time!
• Kandi: Kandi is colorful beads strung into handmade bracelets or necklaces. People trade and give away kandi at raves as a sign of friendship. A kandi collection can remind you of all the people you’ve met at previous raves. Make your own kandi before the rave, and bring plenty of it to pass around!
• Rage: This word doesn’t mean someone is super-duper angry. At a rave, raging is a positive thing! To rage means to dance and party as hard as you possibly can (while being safe, obvs). You might hear ravers say, “Let’s rage!!” That’s the kind of energy you wanna be a part of.

Rave Essentials to Bring with You

Raves are all-day (sometimes all-weekend) events. You gotta come prepared! There are a few items every raver should have with them at all times. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Fanny pack: You’re gonna need a cute bag to carry all your stuff! Fanny packs are great for raves cuz they’re compact and won’t get in the way of your dancing. There are tons of reflective fanny packs out there that’ll match your outfit!
• Wristband: Put on your wristband right before you head out the door. This is your ticket into the rave, so do NOT lose it!
• Cash, card and photo ID: Only bring the money and ID cards that you need. It would really suck if you lost your whole wallet at the rave party!
• Hydration pack: These packs keep you hydrated without having to lug around a water bottle. Ayoooo, hands-free dancing! Just make sure it’s empty so that you can get through security. Don’t worry, you can fill it up at the free water refill stations!
• Bandana: If the venue’s outside, a bandana can keep the dust out of your nose and mouth. Scarves work just fine, too. Bye-bye, crusty boogies!
• Kandi: Kandi is an essential part of rave culture. It’s a great way to break the ice and connect with your fellow ravers. Keep extra in your bag for trading!
• Sunscreen and lip balm: The sun is STRONG out there! Reapply sunscreen and an SPF lip balm throughout the day so you don’t turn into a lobster.
• Portable charger: Your phone probably won’t make it on a single charge. Bring a portable charger so your phone doesn’t die while you’re tryna call a taxi or find your friends. Don’t forget to charge it first!

Find Your First-Ever Rave Outfit at Neva Nude

Your first rave is coming up. Let us help you get ready! Neva Nude’s got what you’re looking for—glitter, body crystals, nipple pasties and super cute rave apparel. Wanna level up your outfit even MORE? Discover accessories like fans, stickers, claw clips and hair extensions. Our collections are filled with everything you need to become a seasoned rave queen!