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. 5K race
Kick off your music festival with an exciting 5K event. Keep the musical vibes going with a live DJ to help pump up the runners and their supporters. You can even bring race winners on stage during your music festival to offer them their medals.
Wellness
18. Yoga
Offer guided yoga sessions to give festivalgoers a chance to stretch, recharge and reset between sets. Morning or early afternoon classes work especially well and can appeal to a wide range of fitness levels.
19. Sound baths
Create a calming space where guests can unwind with immersive sound bath experiences. Using instruments like singing bowls and gongs, these sessions provide a relaxing break from the high-energy festival atmosphere.
Unique ideas
20. Silent disco
Set up a silent disco where participants can dance to music through wireless headphones. This creates a fun, interactive experience and allows multiple DJs or playlists to play simultaneously without adding to overall noise levels. Bonus points for a late-night silent disco with a light show.
21. Immersive art installations
Bring in interactive art installations that visitors can walk through, touch or become part of. These visually engaging experiences encourage exploration and are perfect for social sharing.
22. Photo booth
Let festivalgoers capture priceless moments with photo booths or selfie stations throughout your festival. Set up fun props, such as feather boas, signs and sunglasses. Make sure any signs are branded to your organization or festival to help spread brand awareness.
Free and low-cost festival activities
23. Community mural or message wall
Set up a large mural or wall where participants can leave messages, drawings or signatures. This creates a sense of community and gives participants a lasting way to contribute to the event.
24. Chalk art zone
Designate an area where visitors can create their own chalk art on sidewalks or pavement. This low-cost activity is especially popular with families and adds a colorful, creative element to your festival space.
25. Open mic or jam sessions
Invite festivalgoers or local musicians to perform in a casual open mic or jam session setting. This is a great way to showcase emerging talent and keep the energy going between scheduled acts.
26. Scavenger hunt
Organize a festival-wide scavenger hunt with clues hidden throughout the venue. Participants can explore different areas of the event while competing for small prizes, bragging rights or social media shoutouts.
Night activities
27. Fire performers
Add excitement to your evening lineup with fire performers who captivate audiences with choreographed routines. Be sure to follow all local safety regulations and secure the proper permits, especially during a drought or high winds.
28. LED shows
Incorporate LED performers or light shows to create a visually stunning nighttime experience. These performances add energy after dark and help transform your festival into an immersive environment.
Music festival activities summary table
| Activity | Best For | Cost Level | Revenue Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawn games | All ages, casual engagement | Low | Low |
| Trivia | Groups, downtime between sets | Low | Low |
| Contests | Crowd engagement | Low | Low–Medium |
| Arcade tent | Teens, young adults | Medium | Medium |
| Comedy tent | General audience | Medium | Low–Medium |
| Food vendors/trucks | All attendees | Medium | High |
| Beer/wine tastings | Adults | Medium | High |
| Mixology classes | Adults, small groups | Medium | High |
| Face painting | Families, kids | Low–Medium | Low–Medium |
| Artists/artisans | Browsers, shoppers | Low | Medium |
| Henna booth | Teens, young adults | Low–Medium | Medium |
| Live demonstrations | General audience | Medium | Low |
| Volunteer opportunities | Community-minded attendees | Low | Low |
| Kids’ activities | Families | Medium | Low–Medium |
| Magic show | Families | Medium | Low |
| Amusement rides | All ages | High | High |
| 5K race | Active attendees | Medium | High |
| Yoga | Wellness-focused attendees | Low–Medium | Low–Medium |
| Sound baths | Relaxation seekers | Medium | Medium |
| Silent disco | Night crowd, younger audience | Medium | Medium–High |
| Immersive art installations | All attendees | Medium–High | Low |
| Photo booth | Social sharing | Low–Medium | Medium |
| Community mural/message wall | Community engagement | Low | Low |
| Chalk art zone | Families, kids | Low | Low |
| Open mic/jam sessions | Local talent, music lovers | Low | Low |
| Scavenger hunt | All attendees | Low | Low |
| Fire performers | Night entertainment | Medium | Low |
| LED shows | Night entertainment | Medium | Low–Medium |
How to choose the right festival activities
Selecting the right activities for your music festival is crucial to creating an engaging and memorable experience for your guests. Here are some key factors to consider when deciding which activities to include:
Understand your audience
Consider the demographics, interests and preferences of your festival visitors. Are they families with children, young adults or a mix of age groups? Tailoring activities to your audience can support higher participation and satisfaction.
Align with your festival theme
Choose activities that complement the overall vibe and theme of your festival, whether it’s a rock festival, a summer celebration or a fall festival. This creates a cohesive experience that resonates with your guests.
Assess your festival grounds and space
Evaluate the size and layout of your festival grounds to determine which activities can be accommodated comfortably. Some activities, like amusement rides or large lawn games, require ample space, while others, such as trivia stations or photo booths, can fit into smaller areas.
Consider budget and resources
Factor in the costs of setting up and managing each activity, including staffing, equipment and permits. Balance your budget by mixing free or low-cost options with paid experiences that can also serve as fundraising opportunities.
Incorporate variety and accessibility
Offer a diverse range of activities to cater to different interests and abilities. Include options that are accessible to all guests so more people can participate and enjoy the festival.
Gather inspiration and feedback
Look for inspiration from other successful festivals and ask your community for input. Using surveys or social media polls can help you identify activities that your audience is excited about and willing to engage in.
By thoughtfully selecting festival activities based on these considerations, you can create an amazing, inclusive and enjoyable event that keeps guests coming back year after year.
Tips for managing your additional music festival activities
Adding extra activities to your music festival lineup can widen the scope of your festival. That means there are a few additional considerations to keep in mind to promote and accommodate these opportunities effectively.
Follow these tips when incorporating your additional entertainment:
- Ask your existing community members what they’d like to see at your festival. If you’re unsure which additional activities would appeal to your target audience the most, just ask. Send a survey to your volunteers, donors and other stakeholders to ask about their preferences and interests. Involving your community in the decision-making process will help you design an event that speaks to their interests and increases the likelihood of a higher attendance rate.
- Promote your festival’s extra activities in your marketing materials. In addition to your music lineup, make sure your event promotional materials include information about the additional experiences available at the event. Provide a festival venue map so visitors know where each activity is.
- Assign volunteers or staff to help manage each activity. Some activities will require supervision to ensure the safety of everyone involved. For example, if you’re bringing amusement rides into your festival, you’ll have to hire an outside company to provide the rides and safety equipment. You might assign volunteers to roles like supervising kids’ activities or managing the volunteer booth. Determine how many volunteers you’ll need at each station before launching your recruitment efforts.
- Consider adding an extra cost to some activities to raise more funding for your cause. For instance, you might require 5K participants to raise at least $50 to join the race or include a small fee to use your photo booth. Make it clear how these extra funds will support your nonprofit, whether that means boosting your volunteer program, helping you buy new supplies and equipment or expanding your community investment efforts.
These tips will help increase engagement with your non-musical activities and raise more for your cause while providing a positive guest experience.
Planning a festival is a lot of work, especially if you’re aiming to please a broad audience. Pair these ideas with a dedicated fleet of volunteers and you’ll be another step closer to that goal.
Looking for more information about how volunteers fit into your event planning strategy? Start with these additional resources:
- The smart nonprofit’s guide to volunteer management. The volunteer management process involves recruitment, onboarding and engagement. This guide walks through each step of the process to help optimize your approach.
- Complete festival planning guide for nonprofits. Planning your additional activities is just one step of the festival planning process. Review the full planning checklist in this post for more guidance.
- How to schedule event staff and volunteers efficiently. Your volunteer and staff scheduling for your festival might get complicated, especially if your event takes place over multiple days. Use the advice in this guide to streamline the process.
FAQs about music festival activities
What are some popular non-musical activities to include at a music festival?
Popular non-musical activities at music festivals include lawn games like giant Jenga and cornhole, food tents offering diverse cuisines, face painting booths, arcade tents with vintage games, volunteer opportunities, live craft demonstrations, trivia stations, costume contests, kids’ activities such as bouncy castles, 5K races, comedy shows, magic performances, amusement rides and photo booths. Incorporating these activities can increase engagement and create a more memorable festival experience.
How can music festivals use contests and competitions to engage guests?
Music festivals can host contests such as costume competitions, crazy hat or hair contests, dance battles and video game tournaments to encourage participation and fun. Raffles that offer chances to win prizes are another option for creating excitement and involving sponsors. These activities help build a lively atmosphere and give guests experiences beyond the musical performances.
What food and drink options should be considered for a music festival?
A variety of food options should be available, including local cuisines, barbecue, mac n’ cheese, deep-fried ice cream and funnel cake. Healthier choices like smoothie tents and salad bars can help serve different dietary preferences. Beverage offerings may include alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and spreading refreshment areas throughout the festival site can make them easier to access.
How can festival organizers manage additional activities effectively?
Effective management involves assigning volunteers or staff to supervise each activity, promoting extra activities in marketing materials, providing clear maps of activity locations and considering small fees for some activities to raise additional funds. Engaging the community through surveys can also help tailor activities to audience preferences and improve participation.
What are some wellness and relaxation activities suitable for music festivals?
Wellness activities like yoga sessions and sound baths can give guests a chance to recharge during the event. Quiet seating areas, shaded lounges and other low-key experiences can also support relaxation and help balance the high-energy parts of the festival.
How do photo opportunities enhance the festival experience?
Photo booths, selfie stations and immersive art installations give festivalgoers memorable ways to capture the event and share it online. These experiences can increase social engagement, encourage user-generated content and help extend your festival’s reach beyond the event itself.
Exclusive Resources
Popular Topics
Comments