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Step Outside. Outdoor Events and Festivals Guide

It may not seem like we've had more than two decent days of weather in a row this year, but if we wait for the weather then we won't be getting our outdoor event game on anytime soon.

Outdoor events come in many shapes and sizes and I’m sharing my thoughts on outdoor events and how they can differ in format and scale.

I start with a reality check of just how hard it can be to pull off a festival. The scale, the vibe and the viability.

As shared recently on LinkedIn, the organisers of an independent Gloucestershire music festival (Nibley Music Festival) announced that this year's event will be the last. The event has had many years of success as an entirely volunteer-led not-for-profit festival located on the edge of the Cotswolds. However, organisers said the festival will "go out with a bang" and have promised an "amazing" line up alongside food, drinks and entertainment. The essentials of an outdoor event. Good luck to all involved with the finale!

One of LemonZest’s first outdoor events in 2024 was a celebratory party. Think marquee, outdoor catering, AV and the all-important lighting. This wasn't on the scale of a festival however, it was an outdoor event which required meticulous planning, a detailed event brief and event management throughout so the hosts could enjoy themselves.

We've also been planning for RecFest - a summer event aimed at the B2B market to be held at nowhere other than Knebworth. We are working with a leading recruitment software provider to create the festival vibe for business. If you haven't heard of RecFest check out this mega outdoor event: https://recfest.com/uk/. It welcomes hundreds of vendors looking to meet with peers, prospects, and customers (recruitment professionals) and it's a festival like no other.

This outdoor event has successfully mashed together a true festival vibe including big-tops, street food vendors, marquees, guest speakers and outdoor entertainment that works on a level for businesses to connect with its audiences. And then to top it all off, they have first class entertainment to bring the event to a close.

Outdoor events challenge the norm…

• They can combine business and pleasure.

• It’s a way to turn a traditional expo on its head.

• Wow your audience with the use of stunning AV.

• They can be intimate or on a large scale.

• Think about the vibe! Creatively use lighting to deliver on the atmosphere, especially after dark!

• Outdoor events offer something different whether that is a team event, celebration, business event or one huge party.

• It’s one big experience for everyone to immerse in the outdoor ambiance.

• Be diverse in choices for entertainment to cater to the audience and offer something different.

Professional support
Finally, outdoor events can be weather dependent, and you’ll need a contingency plan in place. Only last week, one of our customer events with Midlands Air Ambulance announced the postponement of its Bike4Life Ride Out and Festival due to challenging ground conditions after continuous wet weather. It’s examples like this where event professionals hold their own to assist with handling the fallout and taking off the pressure.

Want to know more?
Here is a short reel featuring outdoor events: LINK.

And of course, if you have any outdoor (or indoor events) that need a safe pair of hands to deliver, manage, plan and execute, we are ready for you. Get in touch with us: hello@lemonzestevents.co.uk