A record-breaking dress-up party in support of mental health? Tell me more…

Among the many standout events that are opening up across Australasia, there’s nothing quite like Xstatic Wonderland Festival, taking place in the heart of Sydney in October this year. We spoke to the Founder & Chief Party Officer of Xstatic Sunsets, Jasper Vallance, on his mission to inspire a healthy party culture.

What inspired you to create Xstatic Sunsets?

Thinking back to when I was working at Google 10 years ago, never did I imagine I would become a party organiser. After organising a bunch of themed dress-up birthday parties and discovering Burning Seed in 2012, a vision for a sunset party emerged. The following year, I returned with friends to create Sunset Island, which became a huge dance destination at the festival and brought 1000’s together every sunset to connect.

Xstatic Sunsets was inspired by this experience, both in terms of the Burning Man principles for self-expression and inclusion, and also how magical a sunset setting is. But I also realised the ‘getting wasted’ party culture in Australia was not serving anyone, and mental health was (and still is) a big problem. I went through depression myself and after discovering the natural dance high as a way to connect with myself, the vision for Xstatic Sunsets came to life.

Xstatic Sunsets is a Not For Profit on a mental health mission to inspire a more healthy party culture, by reminding people how much fun you can have without booze and drugs. We aim to make this ‘sober’ experience as fun and EPIC as possible to deliver a natural high!

How did you convert your dreams into reality?

It all started with a vision. My first thought was: where is the best sunset location in Sydney to do a launch party?

As most Sydneysiders know, there’s no better venue than Shark Island right in the middle of Sydney Harbour. But our first hurdle came quickly — after initial contact with National Parks I was told that parties had been banned on the island. After a long application process, I managed to get them over the line based on being substance-free and to support our bigger mission: mental health.

After weeks of bad weather and rain, it seemed the universe was on our side as the sun shone and Shark Island delivered the most magical day. The energy across the island was amazing with the colourful costumes, dancing and nature. The sunset was so beautiful and the dance floor literally went off like I’ve never seen before.

We proved how amazing a drug and alcohol-free event can be and people of all ages absolutely loved it, even raving about how they still felt the natural high days later. The concept was proven, leading to the question of how we scale and expand.

I knew that becoming a NFP would enable us to create a self-fulfilling business model where all the money we make goes back into growing the team and delivering more epic parties. As you might expect, ‘sober’ parties are a hard sell due to stigma and judgement. But our parties speak for themselves — and now we have our biggest festival coming up!

Why are events at the heart of what you do?

Our events create an experience that opens people’s minds and helps them change their relationship with alcohol and drugs. Nowhere else can you experience such an amazing party where everyone is sober and there is no temptation. We aim to help people find the balance that’s right for them.

What are your favourite ways to connect and engage with your audience?

It’s amazing to connect with people just by being present at our parties, especially when everyone is dressed up! Everyone is in full self-expression and this gives permission to let go and play. A costume really is the best ice-breaker.

What are you most passionate about in the social impact space?

For me it’s all about community, inclusion and connection. As we spend more time scrolling screens, it’s more important than ever for us to connect in person. I am really proud to create a safe and inclusive space for anyone to party and connect, no matter their age, colour or religion.

Why is the Humanitix model important to you?

I feel it’s all about collaboration to drive social impact. This feels like such a mutually supportive relationship where values naturally align. There is no better business partnership.

Xstatic Wonderland Festival is taking place on 9 October 2021 at Belmore Park, Haymarket in Sydney. The one-day festival features The World’s Largest Mad Hatter’s Tea Party (aiming to break a Guiness World Record!). Earlybirds are on sale here — before you buy a ticket, please watch the video below for some important words from the Mad Hatter himself.🐇