Elements Music & Arts Festival has called the Pocono Raceway home for years, bringing with it a full weekend packed with EDM every summer. But its story actually began more than two decades ago in an overlooked corner of New York City.
Long before Elements became a camping festival, co-creators Brett Herman and Timothy Monkiewicz were throwing underground parties in Brooklyn.
“Williamsburg and Bushwick were not as developed at the time, and [we] created pop-up parties for the most part. And then there's this incredible site on the Gowanus waterfront that looked post-apocalyptic—we thought it was an excellent spot for a party. That inspired the name Elements, and since then, it’s gone through a lot of evolutions.”
Where that reinvention journey landed is what the arts experience is today—a celebration of music, art, camping, and immersive experiences.
“I've been going to Burning Man for 20 years, and that was a major inspiration for bringing some of those values and that cultural flavor out to the Northeast,” Herman continues. “About a third of our population is in Vibe Villages, which are kind of similar to Burning Man theme camps, because it's a group camping experience with different levels of participation. That is certainly one of the most key experiences—but this is truly a music and arts festival. If you go through the woods, it's one unique experience after the other that's not necessarily just music-related.”
As Herman explains, Elements was envisioned as more than just a music festival. Co-creator Monkiewicz adds that the true goal was to create an immersive environment where art, performance, and unexpected experiences were just as integral to the event as the DJs themselves.
“Our parties in New York actually felt like little festivals. It was 400 people, then all of a sudden 800 people showed up, and then all of a sudden 2,000 people. As it grew, there were always multiple stages and we'd have lots of art—so it was really a fun community of people and artists who were all creating stuff together. And that’s what grew into the festival,” explains Monkiewicz. “The whole way, it’s always had that ethos of it really being about the music, the art, the culture and the community and creating something that's not just trying to sell tickets to a DJ.”
The creators also note that every decision is rooted in the overall guest experience and one mantra: Every event should outdo the last in some way. Whether through a stage design, a new interactive installation or some other unexpected addition, the team is constantly asking how they can raise the bar.
“We always like to start from a completely blank canvas: Let's just put all the biggest, craziest ideas on the table possible without regard to money or physics and then narrow it down. That helps guide us,” says Herman. “So we kind of start from the macro and then whittle it down to what's practical and what's within a reasonable budget. We really try to reinvest as much as possible into this. It always kind of kills you to leave a few ideas on the table every year—but that just keeps you hungry to try them next year.”
Their philosophy is also built on sustainability: Many of the festival's elaborate stage designs are intentionally reused and reimagined over several years, allowing the team to invest in more ambitious builds. When a stage eventually reaches the end of its life, its materials aren't discarded—they're repurposed into new art installations throughout the festival grounds as well.
And what can festival-goers look forward to enjoying in 2026?
The team is always searching for emerging acts that may still be flying under the radar while bringing in established artists. This year's lineup reflects that approach, featuring names like Philly native Subtronics, GRiZ and Chris Lake alongside underground artists who are newer on the scene. This year also brings redesigned Fire and Earth stages and new creative concepts throughout the Vibe Villages, plus, Glitter Tongue, a new vintage candy and soda shop, alongside a collection of fresh art installations.
While the team is excited to unveil these additions, the creators say some of the most memorable moments often come from simply exploring the unexpected—encouraging attendees to leave room in their schedules for the art, installations and surprises waiting throughout the festival.
That commitment to reinvention is part of what the festival’s general manager Daniel Slutsky sees as one of Elements' biggest differentiators as well. There’s always a dedication to creating fully immersive worlds rather than standalone performance spaces. Each area of the festival grounds is designed to have its own identity, from the atmosphere and artwork surrounding the stages to the interactive environments throughout the Bazaar, Fun Factory and beyond.
The three-day (or four-day if you’re opting for the Thursday pre-party) event offers a range of options for attendees, including GA and VIP passes, camping accommodations, RV options, hotel packages and single-day tickets for those looking for a shorter visit. Three-day pass holders can fully immerse themselves in the festival grounds and campground community, while single-day passes provide access to the festival experience without campground access.
“For everybody it's those magic moments that you can't necessarily put a finger on—maybe it's the closing set by Subtronics or something that blows you away,” finishes Monkiewicz. “But I think a lot of times with a festival, it's those moments you didn't expect and you can't predict and you can't plan for that end up happening that are kind of magical. And they're different for each person, but I think they do happen a lot.”
To purchase tickets and find a full schedule, visit elementsfest.us
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