Every festival producer knows the basics – good sound, safety, food, and restrooms – but truly great festivals go a step further. They sprinkle in wow amenities that surprise and delight attendees, turning a good event into an unforgettable experience. These extras not only keep festival-goers happy (and comfortable) between the headlining acts, they also generate positive buzz and lasting memories. From practical perks like phone charging and hydration stations to whimsical touches like hammocks and giant games, thoughtful amenities help festivals stand out from the pack. Here’s a look at some crowd-pleasing amenities and how to align them with your festival’s spirit.
Charging Stations: Keeping Attendees Connected
In today’s smartphone-powered world, a dying battery can dampen an attendee’s day. Savvy organizers provide convenient phone charging solutions so fans can keep snapping photos, posting updates, and finding their friends. Charging stations range from simple power banks to dedicated recharge lounges with comfy seating. For example, one major festival worked with an automotive sponsor to create a unique charging activation: a full-size electric car that doubled as a charging station, letting multiple fans plug in their devices at once (www.bizbash.com). Others use lockers equipped with outlets or USB ports, so attendees can securely charge their phones while exploring the grounds. The key is to make charging easy and accessible – consider spreading multiple stations around the venue (especially near stage areas and food courts). Pro tip: Add some shade, seating, or even entertainment (like a video screen or small DJ) to your charging area, and it transforms from a mundane necessity into another enjoyable destination on site.
Hydration and Cooling Stations: Refresh and Revive
Nothing ruins a festival vibe faster than dehydration or heat exhaustion. Beyond the basic water refill stations, festivals now offer creative ways to keep crowds cool and hydrated. Hydration stations with filtered water (sometimes even flavored with fruit infusions) encourage attendees to refill reusable bottles and stay healthy. On scorching days, misting fans or “cool-down oases” can be a lifesaver – a high-pressure misting setup can drop the surrounding temperature by as much as 25°F, providing instant relief. Some organizers go further by handing out electrolyte ice pops or setting up water play areas (think splash pads or a shallow pool) where fans can soak their feet. At one camping festival, a giant splash fountain painted in psychedelic colors became both a cooling station by day and a glowing art centerpiece by night – an amenity so popular it evolved into an icon of the event. By investing in guest comfort with ample water and cooling features, you not only prevent medical issues but also show the audience you truly care about their well-being.
Comfortable Chill-Out Zones: Rest in the Middle of the Action
Even the most energetic attendees need a break. That’s where dedicated chill-out zones come in. Providing areas with shade, comfortable seating, and a relaxed atmosphere gives festival-goers a chance to recharge (literally and figuratively). These zones can take many forms depending on your venue: cozy tents with rugs and cushions, hammocks strung between trees, or lounge spaces with beanbags and couches. For instance, a multi-day festival set in a forest might embrace the setting by hanging dozens of hammocks for public use – at Michigan’s Electric Forest festival, the sight of attendees napping or socializing in hammock clusters among the trees has become a beloved tradition. (One note of caution: if you provide something popular like hammocks, plan for space and safety – even Electric Forest eventually had to create designated “hammock zones” after a free-for-all hanging of hundreds of hammocks began to strain trees and impede walkways.) Even at urban events, you can create a mini oasis: think umbrellas or canopies for shade, astroturf or carpets on the ground, and maybe gentle background music. One rock festival touring across the country famously even offered a parents-only “Reverse Daycare” tent – an air-conditioned lounge with chairs, water, and even movies playing – so parents could relax while their teens enjoyed the show (www.altpress.com). Whether it’s a quiet zen garden corner at a wellness fest or just a simple tent with fans and seating, providing a place to rest shows empathy for your crowd and keeps everyone happy for the next set.
Interactive Art Installations: Playful Immersion
The best festivals aren’t just attended, they’re experienced. Interactive art installations give your audience something to discover and engage with beyond the music. Instead of static décor, consider pieces that invite play: sculptures to climb on, colorful structures to wander through, or art that reacts to participation. Festivals inspired by Burning Man’s ethos, for example, often feature climbable art or giant seesaws that bring out everyone’s inner child. Even mainstream music festivals have adopted this trend – giant installations at events like Coachella or Glastonbury double as art and entertainment, offering perfect photo ops and conversation pieces. You might include a glowing tunnel that hums when people touch it, a wall for attendees to paint on collectively, or a maze made of mirrors and lights. Not only do these interactive art elements enchant attendees, they also encourage social media sharing (free publicity!) as people snap unique photos. When planning art or activity features, be mindful of safety: sturdy construction, any necessary padding or supervision if climbing is allowed, and clear signage for how to interact. With the right creative touches, your festival becomes more than a concert – it becomes a playground of art and imagination.
Free Swag Giveaways: Thoughtful Tokens and Essentials
Who doesn’t love free goodies? Handing out free swag or essentials is a simple way to delight attendees and show hospitality. Think about small items that can improve the festival experience or serve as fun memorabilia. Some favorites include: sunscreen packets or mini bottles (crucial for all-day outdoor events), earplugs for hearing protection, bandanas or buffs (useful for both fashion and dust protection in desert venues), and branded stickers or pins. For example, at desert festivals where afternoon sun and dust are factors, organizers have set up giveaway stations supplying sunscreen and bandanas so fans can stay safe and comfortable. These items often carry sponsor logos or festival branding – turning fans into walking advertisements, but in a way they appreciate. Beyond practical freebies, you can surprise attendees with small tokens of appreciation: festival-branded temporary tattoos at the info booth, glow sticks before a night show, or free popsicles on a hot day. Pro tip: Coordinate with sponsors or local businesses to supply these freebies – a cosmetics brand might gladly provide lip balm or glitter, an outdoor gear company might offer hand fans – offsetting costs while adding value for your crowd. The goal is to offer something useful or fun at the right moment. That little gift or lifesaver (like a rain poncho handed out during a surprise shower) will earn your event a special place in attendees’ hearts.
Fun and Games Between Acts: Activities to Amuse
Great festivals give people things to do, not just see. Activities and games scattered around the grounds can keep energy high during downtime and help attendees make memories with friends. Consider adding a mix of classic games and novel experiences that fit your event’s scale. Here are a few ideas that have been hits at festivals:
- Lawn Games Zone: Set out oversized versions of familiar games – think giant Jenga, Connect Four, cornhole, or even a massive Twister mat. These invite friendly competition and laughter among strangers and friends alike.
- Carnival Rides: If space and budget allow, a Ferris wheel or carousel can become a major attraction. A Ferris wheel in particular offers not just fun but a panoramic view of the festival (and often becomes an iconic visual in its own right). Many music festivals, from Coachella to regional fairs, have incorporated Ferris wheels or swing rides to give attendees a literal spin.
- Silent Disco: Outfit a dance floor with wireless headphones and host a silent disco. This lets people dance to music only they can hear, creating a surreal and entertaining scene for participants and onlookers. It’s an especially popular late-night activity to keep the party going without noise ordinance issues.
- Workshops and Classes: Offer short sessions like drum circles, hula-hoop lessons, craft workshops, or graffiti walls where attendees can get hands-on. These activities engage people’s creative side. For example, a folk festival might host beginner fiddle workshops, or an EDM festival could run flow arts (poi spinning) classes.
- Surprise Pop-ups: Have roving performers or surprise mini-events. A flash mob, a roaming marching band between stages, or an impromptu costume contest can inject fun when people least expect it.
All these extras give your audience ways to interact and enjoy themselves beyond watching scheduled performances. They fill gaps in the schedule and can turn waiting time into play time. Just be sure to plan logistics: designate safe areas for games (giant Jenga blocks need space to tumble!), have staff or volunteers to manage and reset activities, and consider any waivers or insurance needed for bigger attractions like rides.
Align Amenities with Your Festival’s Spirit
When choosing which amenities and activities to introduce, the golden rule is keep it on-theme. The most memorable extras feel like a natural extension of the festival’s identity. Tailor your amenity offerings to what your particular audience will love. For instance, at a wellness-centric festival, sunrise yoga classes, meditation tents, and massage stations would resonate deeply with attendees. (For example, Lightning in a Bottle festival in California starts each day with group yoga sessions and even features a healing sanctuary offering massage and meditation – a perfect rejuvenation before the music kicks off.) On the other hand, a technology or gaming festival might thrill its crowd by featuring a virtual reality game zone, an e-sports tent, or interactive digital art installations. Family-friendly festival? Consider a kids’ play area with family amenities like diaper-changing stations and child-friendly activities. If your event celebrates local culture, integrate that into the amenities – maybe a crafting demo by local artisans or a mini farmers’ market showcasing local food and drink. By aligning these extras with the core theme, you ensure they enhance rather than distract. The amenities should feel authentic to your festival’s vibe: attendees of a folk music weekend will be delighted by a cozy bonfire sing-along area, whereas rave festival-goers might be more excited by a neon-painted chill dome with EDM ambient mixes. Know your audience and festival personality, and let that guide which “wow” factors to add.
Sponsor-Supported Activations: Partners in Delight
Wondering how to afford some of these fantastic ideas? Enter your sponsors. Creative sponsor-supported activations can fund amenities that might otherwise be outside your budget. Many brands are eager to provide fun services or experiences at festivals in exchange for exposure. The trick is to find partnerships that enhance the attendee experience while also promoting the sponsor in a fitting way. Think of sponsors whose products or mission align with your needs: a tech company sponsoring a charging lounge, a beverage company funding a hydration station, or an outdoor gear brand hosting a cool-down tent. At major festivals, some sponsors have built entire themed areas – for example, at the Stagecoach country music festival the beer sponsor created a “Budweiser Country Club” lounge where fans could play backyard games (from corn hole tournaments to oversized playable guitars), create custom swag like leather koozies, and even charge their phones at a solar-powered station (cactushugs.com). Sponsorship activations can cover costs of infrastructure and staffing, and often these partners will bring in professional-quality setups (like sleek furniture, decorations, or interactive tech) that elevate the festival’s production value. When working with sponsors, always keep the attendee’s perspective in mind: the activation should be a genuine value-add, not just a marketing booth. Attendees will quickly pass by a bland promo tent, but they’ll flock to a sponsored area that offers real fun or utility in exchange for their attention. If done right, it’s a win-win-win – the sponsor gains goodwill and visibility, the festival gets a standout amenity at low cost, and attendees get an extra treat or convenience to enjoy.
From Amenity to Icon: Building Festival Identity
A thoughtfully chosen amenity can do more than entertain guests for a weekend – it can become a hallmark of your festival’s brand. Over the years, certain festivals have become nearly as famous for their signature non-musical features as for their stages. Consider the towering Ferris wheel silhouetted against the sunset at Coachella, which by now is an indelible part of the festival’s imagery in press and Instagram feeds. Or think of the mushroom fountain at Bonnaroo, a practical cooling-off spot that evolved into a beloved meeting point and photo backdrop, symbolizing the communal spirit of that event. When an amenity strikes a chord with attendees, they will talk about it, post about it, and look forward to it just as much as the headliners. That positive buzz not only enhances the current attendees’ experience but also becomes marketing gold for attracting future attendees.
However, creating an iconic feature doesn’t necessarily mean spending extravagantly – it’s about originality and authenticity. It might be the cozy tea lounge that becomes a morning ritual for campers, or the massive interactive art piece everyone can’t stop raving about. Pay attention to what your audience responds to; sometimes an unexpected hit (like a spontaneous silent disco in the camping area) can be nurtured into a defining element of your festival. Over time, these signature amenities contribute to your festival’s unique identity and culture. Attendees will say, “Remember, this is the festival with the ___,” and that blank could very well be filled by the amenity you thoughtfully introduced.
Conclusion: In the end, amenities that wow are all about going beyond the basics to show attendees a great time at every turn. It’s the extra phone charge that saves the day, the cool mist on a hot afternoon, the surprise game or art piece that makes them smile. For festival producers, these touches require planning, creativity, and sometimes partnership – but the payoff is a richer attendee experience and a festival that people can’t stop talking about. By aligning these extras with your festival’s spirit and audience, you create not just fleeting amusements, but potentially the very moments that define your event. Often, you only need a handful of well-chosen extras – it’s better to do a few things excellently than to overstretch with too many – as those small touches can have an outsized impact on attendee satisfaction and buzz. As the next wave of festival producers steps up, remember this seasoned advice: take care of the little things that delight people, and the big success will follow.
25th August 2025