Cartoon-Themed Raves Are on The Rise

Themed raves are taking over traditional clubbing, as Shrek, SpongeBob, and The Simpsons parties are shifting from one-off events to cross-country tours. 

From Toronto to Adelaide, those cartoon-based events are in high demand, with tickets fetching a few tenners. Ideal animated series fans, the themed raves embody the zeitgeist of every cartoon through visuals, playlists, drinks, and dress code. 

Attendees also play their part in creating an immersive experience with themed costumes inspired by the movie franchises. 

Though an international phenomenon, the Shrek-themed celebration was the first of its kind. Created in Los Angeles by rapper and meme lord Ka5ash, the event was supposed to be a birthday party. 

In February 2022, the artist posted an event flyer on his Instagram, saying a “shrek rave was upon us.” The rave’s off-beat approach went viral, as A-list celebs and influencers like rapper Rico Nasty attended the flagship event. 

Instead of celebrating his birthday, Ka5ash transformed the Shrek-themed rave into a fundraiser for a shooting victim. 

Promoters quickly took the concept to other cities like New York and San Francisco. The rest is history – the Shrek Rave morphed into the “Swamps Across America” tour, which hyped up crowds from over 30 cities. 

Its sister event, the SpongeBob-dedicated Bikini Bottom Rave, is also touring the US.

With sold-out shows in Toronto and Los Angeles, Ka5sh turned iconic kids’ cartoons into money-making party series. 

But the US isn’t the only place where revelers can experience TV-themed parties. A Simpsons-themed rave is coming to Adelaide this summer, allowing Aussies to open a bottle of Buzz Cola and grab a snack from the Kwik-E-Mart. 

Organized by event planner Yikes Adelaide, the event is the latest addition to the themed raves family.