est. Big Sur, January 2018
We're a crew of friends who throw homemade campout festivals and late-night parties for our chosen family. Polar Palooza is the big one. Bring the people you love.
Polar Palooza 9 starts in
Gates open Friday, October 9, 2026 at 5pm.
Polar Palooza 9 is happening right now. Go hug a bear.
Polar Palooza 9 is in the books. Thank you, NAMfam.
00:01 Next upLast time
Fri Oct 9 to Sun Oct 11, 2026 · Santa Cruz
Two nights back in the redwoods with your favorite freaks. The bear-head treehouse stage, the Steamy Spa, a two-act play, family meal, and a frankly unreasonable amount of faux fur. It's on private land, so the address only goes out to ticket holders.
00:02 Our story
It started as a thing friends said to each other at Lightning in a Bottle. When you need a beat to pull yourself together, you say you need a minute. It stuck, and pretty soon it was the whole crew's motto.
The company part happened in a cabin in Tahoe, while Mike and Zach were teaching Billy, aka chillbill, to DJ. Somebody asked the obvious question.
Why wait for someone else to book us when we can book ourselves?
So we booked ourselves. The first Polar Palooza was a renegade party in Big Sur in January 2018. Sixteen parties later, we still build every one ourselves.
Most summers a bunch of us also help run a lounge stage at Northern Nights, up in the redwoods.
00:03 What we're about
Come as you are. Connection, love, self-acceptance, empathy, friendship, zero judgement, all kinds of people.
Consent, accountability, respect, and being real with each other.
Of place, of past, of people. Look after the land and each other.
Wholesome silliness, low stress, total artistic freedom. The bit is the point.
Learning, growing, trying weird new things, and everybody pitching in.
00:04 Past parties
Polar Palooza every fall, plus a couple of desert campouts, city club nights, and the Snowdeos with our pals at My First Rodeo.
00:05 Get involved
Everything we throw gets built by the people who show up. Want in?
Pick up a few volunteer shifts and we'll comp your ticket. Type 2 fun. Ask us about that at Polar.
DJs, fire spinners, aerialists, workshop leaders, vendors, anyone with a dome or an art car in the garage. Tell us what you'd bring.
Save-the-dates, the Homie Bear presale (the cheapest tickets there'll ever be), lineup drops, and the occasional unhinged update. Or follow along at @need.a.minute.
