What if your next festival felt like everything you know and love about festival culture, but offered something completely different? 

Just under two hours from Long Beach, Same Same But Different brings music, art, wellness, outdoor adventure, and community together for a one-of-a-kind experience on the shores of Lake Perris, California. But what makes it stand out isn’t just how much there is to do. It’s how different the entire experience feels. 

Imagine a beach where festivalgoers play volleyball, runners hit the ground at 8 a.m. , and boats take you to a playful island filled with music and adventure. Add hot air balloon rides, creative workshops, immersive art, and music playing well into the night, and you might wonder whether such a place really exists.

We arrived Friday afternoon and settled into car camping, which allowed us to park and set up camp beside our vehicle. Glamping and VIP accommodations are also available for those seeking additional comfort or a location closer to the festival entrance. Our campsite was a bit of a walk from the main grounds, so comfortable shoes were essential. 

Before long, we were chatting with our camping neighbors. Many were first-time attendees, including some who had come solo. When we asked what brought them to SSBD, the answers were similar: they’d heard great things and wanted something different from the massive festivals they had grown tired of attending. 

Before long, we were chatting with our camping neighbors. Many were first-time attendees, including some who had come solo. When we asked what brought them to SSBD, the answers were similar: they’d heard great things and wanted something different from the massive festivals they had grown tired of attending. 

Practical details helped, too. Actual bathrooms, showers, and picnic tables might not sound exciting, but anyone who has spent a weekend camping at a festival knows these small conveniences can make a real difference. 

SSBD runs from Thursday through Monday morning, with early arrival beginning Thursday. We joined on Friday, but even in our first few hours, it was clear that this was a festival designed for more than simply moving between stages.

Seven Stages, Endless Possibilities 

Friday night, we headed into the festival grounds to explore what SSBD was all about. The festival featured 4 stages and 3 additional areas, showcasing a mix of live music and DJ sets. 

For Long Beach locals, one stage deserves special attention: Coco Cove. 

Set right on the beach, it lets you dance barefoot in the sand with the water nearby and the stars overhead. It’s a natural meeting point for two things Southern Californians love: beach culture and music. 

The Same Stage served as the festival’s main stage, hosting headliners including LSDREAM, Of The Trees, and Tape B, alongside a lineup of talented DJs. The production was just as memorable as the lineup. The visuals were impressive, and the sound system delivered a level of clarity and power that genuinely surprised me as a regular festivalgoer. 

The But Stage offered live music and performers from around the world, while other corners of the grounds held unexpected discoveries, including a cinema, a dedicated burger joint, and a hot-air balloon ride that became one of my personal highlights. 

With DJ sets continuing until 5 a.m., there was no shortage of music. Eventually, though, we decided to head back to camp and recharge around our fire pit. 

A Festival That Starts Before the Music 

Saturday morning brought an unexpected sight: runners. Yes, runners! 

SSBD hosts a Saturday morning 5K, adding an active twist to the traditional festival weekend. For Long Beach locals who enjoy running as much as live music, it’s a particularly fun combination. You can spend the night at a DJ set and still find a reason to get moving the next morning. 

After the morning activities, we grabbed our floaties and headed toward the water. Later, we explored the festival’s workshops, which offered everything from jewelry making and puppet making to writing circles, morning yoga, dance sessions, and sound baths. 

Whether you wanted to get creative, break a sweat, or slow down and recharge, there was something to fill your day. 

That balance is part of SSBD’s appeal. You don’t have to spend the entire weekend chasing performances or planning your schedule around a lineup. You can build a festival experience around whatever feels right in the moment.

For those who prefer a little extra comfort, VIP perks include cold plunges, a sauna, soft couches, and happy hour. Depending on your priorities, the upgrade may be worth considering. 

Island Adventures and a Whole Lot of Paint 

One of SSBD’s more unusual attractions is Nakey Island, accessible by boat with a separate island wristband. 

Think of it as a mini-adventure within the festival. The island offers DJs throughout the day, hiking trails, and additional activities that give you another reason to venture beyond the main grounds. 

Back on the festival grounds, we joined an ecstatic paint party that quickly became one of our favorite experiences of the weekend. 

The concept was simple: combine dancing, creative expression, and a lot of paint. What stood out just as much as the fun was the emphasis on consent and personal boundaries. Participants were reminded to respect one another, making room for people to let loose while still feeling comfortable. 

People danced, painted one another, and covered themselves in bright splashes of color. A slip-and-slide added to the chaos, and everyone could participate at their own comfort level. 

It was messy, joyful, and genuinely fun. More importantly, it captured something that makes festivals memorable: the chance to stop watching from the sidelines and become part of the experience. 

Costumes, Community, and Unexpected Discoveries 

At SSBD, self-expression extends well beyond the dance floor. 

Themed days give attendees another excuse to get creative, with this year’s themes including Party Animals, Enchanted Forest, and 3:00 A.M. at Walmart. The result was a colorful mix of imaginative costumes and playful interpretations that gave the festival grounds even more personality. 

Getting around was relatively easy, and the official festival app helped us keep track of performances, workshops, and activities. Attendees could also create their own meetups, making it easier to connect with others and coordinate plans. 

There was always something to stumble upon, including Grandma’s House, an installation that turned out to be a surprisingly fun discovery. Professional portrait sessions on Friday and Saturday also offered an opportunity to capture a lasting memory of the weekend. 

These smaller experiences added another layer to the festival. Even when we weren’t watching a performance, there was always another area to explore.

When the Sun Sets, the Magic Begins 

The sunset was one of the most beautiful I’d seen in a long time. Shades of red spread across the sky as the sun dipped toward Lake Perris, reflecting warm colors across the water and surrounding festival grounds. 

As darkness settled in, SSBD transformed. 

Art cars moved across the sand. The hot-air balloon rose into the sky. Vendors welcomed visitors, colorful costumes filled the grounds, and music poured from every stage. Fire spinners performed in front of the lake, while flow artists moved to the rhythm of the music. 

Everywhere we looked, something was happening. 

Yet the atmosphere never felt overwhelmingly crowded. For a moment, it felt like several different festivals were unfolding simultaneously: a music festival, an art gathering, a beach party, and a community of people simply enjoying being there. 

And somehow, it all felt connected. 

More Than a Music Festival 

Same Same But Different offers the familiar pleasures of festival culture with room for something more. Music, camping, art, wellness, and outdoor adventure come together in a setting where the experience extends well beyond the stages. 

For Long Beach locals who love the beach, enjoy an active lifestyle, or want a festival that offers more than a weekend of performances, SSBD is worth considering. 

You can dance until sunrise, join a morning run, relax at one of their 3 tea stations, spend the afternoon floating on the lake, play volleyball at the beach, try a creative workshop, or catch a boat to an island party. You can fill every hour with activities or leave your schedule open for unexpected discoveries. 

What stood out to me most was the freedom to experience the festival on my own terms. People seemed genuinely happy to be there, fully immersed in the moment rather than glued to their phones. It felt refreshing to step away from the digital noise and be present with the people around. The smaller crowd, welcoming atmosphere, and variety of activities made it easy to connect with others, and try things I might have otherwise passed up. 

Same Same But Different isn’t about reinventing the festival experience. It’s about reminding you how many different ways there are to enjoy one.

Same Same But Different is set to return September 24–26, 2027. If this sounds like your kind of weekend, now is the time to start planning. Keep an eye out for ticket announcements and early-bird offers so you can take advantage of special pricing and secure your spot. 

Whether you’re a seasoned festivalgoer or someone looking to try something new, SSBD offers a chance to experience music, art, wellness, and community in a whole new way. 

You might arrive for the music, but don’t be surprised if the rest of the experience becomes the highlight. Same same, but different — see you in 2027!