Are you planning a music festival? Booking bands, securing a venue, obtaining permits and recruiting volunteers and staff are huge undertakings. But if you want to put on a truly great festival, you may want to go a step further and look into providing some non-musical entertainment options.
While listening to music for hours on end may be absolute heaven for some people, others may enjoy having a few more entertainment options to explore. In this post, we’ll offer some great ideas for non-musical entertainment, with kid-friendly options included, at your music festival. Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Music festival entertainment ideas
- Tips for managing your additional music festival activities
- FAQs about music festival activities
We’ll also highlight some additional fundraising opportunities to help your nonprofit raise more if you’re hosting a music festival fundraiser. Let’s dive in!
Music festival entertainment ideas
Games and interactive activities
1. Lawn games
Lawn games are a classic favorite, especially for a summertime event. Get some large wooden blocks for giant Jenga or set up other games like croquet, bocce, cornhole, ladder ball or Spikeball.
2. Trivia
Set up Trivial Pursuit stations and allow users to log in and play on their phones. This can be another great way to pass the time between bands.
3. Contests
A silly contest can keep things upbeat and put smiles on everyone’s faces. Consider hosting a costume contest or a crazy hat or hair competition. This can make your festival a unique experience that stands out from other events.
4. Arcade tent
Consider setting up an arcade tent. Rent some vintage video games, like Pac-Man. You can also set up foosball and Skee-Ball booths. You’ll get bonus points with your guests if your arcade tent is air-conditioned or heated for a wintertime festival.
5. Comedy tent
Mix up your musical lineup with a few comedians. Have a dedicated comedy tent or hire comedians to act as emcees between your musical acts. Comedians who specialize in crowd work can bring a more interactive, in-the-moment feel to the experience.
Food and drink experiences
6. Food vendors and food trucks
Food tents are a must, but why stop at cheeseburgers and hot dogs? Mix up your offerings with a sample of local cuisines or unique treats. Barbecue, mac n’ cheese, deep-fried ice cream and funnel cake are all fan favorites. For healthier options, consider having a smoothie tent or salad bar. Local food trucks are a great way to provide variety and support the local community.
7. Beer and/or wine tastings
Offer curated beer or wine tastings featuring local breweries or wineries. This provides festivalgoers with a more elevated experience and supports local businesses while encouraging guests to explore new flavors.
8. Mixology classes
Host mixology classes where guests can learn how to craft their own cocktails from professional bartenders. These interactive sessions are great for small groups and can double as a premium or ticketed experience.
Artistic and creative experiences
9. Face painting
Face painting booths are another way to add color and flair to a festival. Hire a few local artists to paint fun designs on people’s faces. Encourage participants to take selfies and post them on social media with your event hashtag.
10. Artists and artisans
You may not think of music festivals as a place to go to get your portrait painted, but a caricature can make a great souvenir. Or, set up a screen printing station and let people make their own shirts for a fee.
You can also invite local artists to sell their work in a designated area at your festival. Guests can browse the available artwork in between music sets.
11. Henna booth
Add a henna booth where guests can get temporary, intricate designs applied by local artists. This activity offers a unique, culturally inspired experience and gives festivalgoers a wearable keepsake that lasts a few weeks.
Tip: Make sure the vendor uses real, pure henna with naturally derived ingredients, not black henna. Jagua is OK.
12. Live demonstrations
Look into hiring some local craftspeople to provide live demonstrations. Glass blowing, weaving, woodcarving and painting are a few good options.
Community and engagement
13. Volunteer opportunities
Set up a volunteer booth for event guests to participate in a quick micro-volunteer opportunity that supports your nonprofit.
For example, volunteers might write letters of support for children in the hospital or contribute to a mural that will be displayed in your organization’s community center.
Give booth participants the opportunity to sign up for your volunteer newsletter to receive information about additional volunteer opportunities. Be sure to add their contact information to your volunteer management software to stay in touch.
Family friendly
14. Kids’ activities
If your festival is family-oriented, it’s essential to have some activities just for kids. Bouncy castles, ball pits and mazes can all be lots of fun. A mini-golf station is another possibility. You can also hire some mascot characters or even put on a puppet show.
15. Magic show
Add a unique element to your festival’s lineup by bringing in a magician, mentalist or hypnotist to delight and dazzle the crowd. It’s helpful if you can provide a large screen on stage so crowd members can see everything that’s happening. This is another great kid-friendly idea.
Large attractions and experiences
16. Amusement rides
Coachella, one of the world’s biggest music festivals, is well-known for its iconic Ferris wheel. Make your festival stand out by offering amusement rides like a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round or small roller coasters.
17. Art installations
Feature large, eye-catching art installations around your festival grounds. These visual spectacles serve as both decoration and social media-worthy photo opportunities, adding an artistic dimension to your event.
18. Escape rooms
Set up themed escape rooms to provide a different kind of entertainment during the festival. Portable escape room experiences can be customized to match your event’s theme.
Tips for managing your additional music festival activities
Now that you have some entertainment ideas, here are some tips for effectively managing your festival activities:
- Plan activities in advance: To create the ultimate guest experience, plan your festival activities well in advance to ensure you’ve secured everything you need for your attractions and identified all the necessary vendors.
- Coordinate vendors and performers carefully: Establish clear communication with vendors and performers. Clarify all contractual expectations well in advance to avoid any misunderstandings.
- Staff and volunteer management: Having enough staff and volunteers to manage the different activities at your festival is crucial. Using volunteer management tools can help you effectively schedule your team and ensure all activities are properly supported. If you use a post-event volunteer survey, you can gain valuable feedback on how well your team performed and what you can improve at your next event.
- Marketing and promotion: Marketing and promoting your festival’s activities and entertainment options will help drive ticket sales. Leverage social media, email marketing and local advertising to spread the word about your entertainment lineup.
- Effective layout and flow: Organize your festival grounds for efficient guest flow and ensure all activities are easily accessible. Consider factors like the location of facilities, ease of movement between activities, and sight lines so everyone can see the stage.
FAQs about music festival activities
What types of activities are suitable for a family-friendly music festival?
Family-friendly activities include interactive games, face painting, carnival rides, kid-friendly food options, and live performances that are appropriate for all ages. These activities can help ensure a positive experience for families and younger attendees.
What activities can double as fundraising opportunities for music festivals?
Activities such as raffle draws, merchandise sales, art auctions, and special ticketed experiences like VIP meet-and-greets can all serve as additional music festival fundraising opportunities. Choose activities that align with your audience’s interests to maximize participation and revenue.
How can I incorporate local culture into my music festival activities?
Incorporating local culture can be done through featuring local artists, musicians, and food vendors. You can also include cultural performances, art installations that reflect local heritage, and partnerships with local community organizations. This not only enriches the festival experience but also supports the local community.
Wrapping up
You’re now equipped with information on how to plan memorable non-musical experiences at a festival. With the right activities and careful management, your festival is bound to be a hit with attendees of all ages!
For more resources on planning and organizing events, explore these helpful links:
