Electric Zoo 2017: What To Know Before You Go

NEW YORK, NY — Electric Zoo, known simply by festival-goers as E-Zoo, is an annual electric music festival held over the Labor Day weekend in New York City on Randall’s Island.

The festival debuted in 2009, expanding to a three-day event in 2010. This year, the festival will be held Sept. 1 through Sept. 3. The theme for 2017 is “The 6th Boro,” an homage to “the greatest city in the world and a brand-near neighborhood unto itself,” according to the festival website.

This is the first year that the festival theme centers on NYC.

Tickets are still available on the E-Zoo website as of Aug. 14, including the option to attend for all three days or individual days. As in previous years, the festival continues to be a cashless event, but ATMs will be available on the premises.

Ticket holders must be at least 21 years old to attend, and the festival takes place rain or shine. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

What time does the festival open?

Doors open at 3 p.m. on Sept. 1 and at 1 p.m. on Sept. 2 and 3. Once inside, festival-goers will not be allowed to re-enter the grounds until the next day. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Where is the concert?

Festival-goers can get to Randall’s Island by ferry, subway, walking, biking and the Brooklyn Shuttle.

Ferries depart from and return to the E 25th Street ferry landing at the intersection of E 35th Street and FDR Drive. Ferries travel to and from the festival grounds throughout the weekend, starting at 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 1 and at 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 2 and 3, running continuously until 30 minutes after Electric Zoo ends.

Festival-goers can take the 4, 5 or 6 train to the 125th Street stop and then either take the X80 express bus from 125th Street/Lexington Avenue to Randall’s Island Park or walk along 125th Street to cross the RFK Bridge.

It takes about 20 to 25 minutes to walk from the Manhattan side of the footbridge from E 103rd Street onto Randall’s Island Park, organizers say. Pedestrians can walk across the RFK Bridge from Manhattan for a 15-minute walk, from Queens for about 30 minutes or from the Bronx for around 15 minutes.

Bikes are not allowed on the ferry or buses, but bike parking is located south of the RFK Bridge pedestrian walkway near the fear landing on Randall’s Island.

If traveling via the Brooklyn Shuttle, festival-goers can depart from and return to Output on 74 Wythe Ave., beginning at noon each day.

What is the bag policy?

Small backpacks and utility bags are allowed on the festival grounds. Sunglasses, sun block, rain ponchos, small blankets or towels, comfortable shoes (organizers discourage flip-flops), chapstick, GoPro cameras (without selfie sticks or monopods) and valid IDs are also allowed.

What can’t I bring?

• Glass of any kind
• Weapons (regardless of permit)
• Paint (including markers and spray)
• Fireworks
• Illegal substances
• Drugs or drug paraphernalia
• Alcohol
• Open or refillable e-cigarettes or vaporizers
• Large chains
• Laser pointers
• Flags or totems with metal or wood pieces (must be made with flexible materials and have a diameter of 1.5 inches or less)
• Large umbrellas
• Spiked jewelry
• Unsealed tampons
• Stuffed animals or dolls
• Inflatables (including balloons)
• Pacifiers
• Unsealed, over-the-counter medications or vitamins (prescription drugs in unapproved containers must be turned over to medical personnel)
• Unsealed eye drop containers
• Vending without permit
• Bicycles, scoots, gocarts or ATVs

A full list of prohibited items is available on the Electric Zoo website.

Photo credit: Digboston/Flickr