If you’re missing your festival fix, or you’ve been bitten by the glamping bug, why not create the eclectic, bohemian, relaxing atmosphere of a festival in your own garden this summer? With some clever planning, you’ll soon be ready to host your very own main stage event.
Tents, tepees and gazebos
You might not have a grand marquee, but if you’ve got any kind of tent or gazebo, set it up. Then, fill it with rugs, throws and cushions, string up some fairy lights and perhaps a couple of lanterns at the entrance, and you’re already starting to get the vibe. Even a small child’s tent creates the right atmosphere and helps you set the scene. The kids will love it!
Fire and festival food
Outdoor food stalls and cooking over flames are the essence of festivals and camping holidays, so set up a BBQ area, keep it simple with sausages and burgers on tap, and your guests will soon be having a ball.
A bar area is also a must. Even if it’s just a foldaway table, a cool box filled with soft drinks and beers and a home-made sign, it’ll delight your visitors. If you can serve easy cocktails like sangria or mojitos in large jugs, even better. For later in the evening, a firepit is a great way to create that campfire camaraderie, so find a spot a safe distance away from your main seating area and get ready for late night singalongs and storytelling. If any of your friends or family can play the guitar, make sure they’re on the guest list.
Bunting and lighting
With such a wide selection of affordable outside lighting on offer, it’s relatively easy to create the warm glow of a festival, with strings of fairy lights, lots of lanterns and garden candles. String bunting between your tent, BBQ area, bar area and your main seating area to create the feeling of a stylish, cohesive venue.
Music is a must
The best way to mitigate worries about disturbing your neighbours is to invite them along! Even if they’re not attending, make sure you let them know you’re having a gathering, and reassure them about noise by agreeing on a reasonable time for any music to stop. Set up any portable speakers well before the event and test out the volume by standing on the perimeters of your property and assessing how intrusive sound levels are for your neighbours, then set your sound levels accordingly.
Seating
Whether it’s formal seating, rugs on the ground, piles of cushions or even a couple of hay bales sourced from a local farm shop, the idea is to create an atmosphere that’s relaxed, informal and fun. You can always ask guests to bring along their own picnic chairs or blankets too. Hopefully, everyone will be so busy eating, drinking and dancing they’ll only be sitting down when they eat their delicious BBQ food.
Extra special touches can include a festival dress code, some inexpensive LED baton glow lights and paper chain strips as wrist bands for everyone. Who needs Glastonbury when you’ve got a festival in your own garden?