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A 360 video booth at the Big Church Festival

Festival & Community Event Ideas: 14 Ways to Draw a Crowd

Festivals, fêtes, fun days and community fairs live and die by their attractions. The right entertainment pulls people in, keeps families on site for longer, gives sponsors something to put their name on, and turns attendees into next year's word-of-mouth. This is a guide for organisers and committees: fourteen ideas that draw a crowd, work outdoors, and suit every age — from a village fête to a town festival.

What makes a festival or community event work?

Three things set the well-attended events apart:

Attractions that draw people in. A booth, a treat stall or a game gives people a reason to stop, queue and stay — and a busy attraction makes the whole event feel buzzing.
Something for all ages. Community events span toddlers to grandparents. The entertainment has to keep all of them happy.
It works outdoors. Power, weather cover and footfall all matter when you're not in a tidy function room. Plan for them and the day runs smoothly.

Here are fourteen ideas to build your event around.

Attractions that pull a crowd

1. A photo booth or selfie pod

A selfie pod is a magnet at a community event — instant prints to take home, digital sharing, and a steady queue that makes your event look busy. Set it up under cover with a branded backdrop and it doubles as promotion.

2. A 360 video booth

The 360 video booth is a real draw — the slow-motion clips get posted across social media, spreading your event's name far beyond the day. Battery-powered options mean it can run even where mains power is limited.

3. An inflatable photo booth

An inflatable photo booth is colourful, eye-catching and brilliant outdoors — a fun-shaped landmark that families gravitate to.

4. A roaming photo booth

A roaming selfie booth works the crowd, capturing candid moments across the site — great for big, spread-out events where people won't queue at a fixed stand.

Treats that keep families on site

5–8. Popcorn, candy floss, a slush bar and a sweet stall

Festival food is half the fun. A popcorn cart, a candy floss stall, a slush machine and a pick-n-mix or candy cart are classic crowd-pleasers — and they can run as paid stalls to raise funds for the event or a local cause.

A selfie pod at a community event at Searchlight Community Centre

Keep the energy up across the day

Games, music and a focal point to give your event atmosphere.

9. Games and challenges

A retro arcade machine, a football table or a high-score challenge gives kids and adults a hub — and can run as a paid-entry fundraiser for the event.

10. A DJ or live music area

A DJ or a music stage gives your event a heartbeat and a place for people to gather — and keeps the atmosphere going across a long day.

11. An LED dance floor or kids' zone

A dance floor for an evening event, or a dedicated kids' zone with simple entertainment, gives families a reason to stay longer.

12. Light-up letters

Giant light-up letters spelling your event or town name make a landmark, a meeting point and a photo spot in one.

Make it work for the organisers

13. Branded everything

Branded prints, backdrops and a sponsor's logo on the booth turn every photo into promotion for your event and its supporters — and give sponsors real value for their money.

14. A shared event gallery

A shared online gallery of the day's photos gives your committee content for next year's promotion and a lovely record of the community coming together.

How to plan a festival or community event

Plan for outdoors
Booths need cover from sun and rain (a gazebo or marquee) and a power source. Battery options help where there's no mains. Plan the pitch early.
Cater for all ages
Community events span toddlers to grandparents. Mix a booth, treats, games and music so every age finds something to do.
Use attractions to raise funds
Treat stalls and paid game challenges can fund the event or a local cause. Build the fundraising in from the start.
Make it shareable
A 360 booth and branded photos get posted across social media, spreading your event's name far beyond the day — free promotion for next year.
Sort the logistics
Confirm power, pitch space and access for each attraction. The more you plan the setup, the smoother the day runs.
Book the season early
Summer fêtes and festivals cluster into the same months. The best attractions get booked early, so lock yours in well ahead.

Common festival and community-event mistakes

Too few attractions. A field with a tea stall isn't a draw. A few good attractions make the event feel busy and worth attending.
Forgetting the logistics. Booths and machines need power, cover and pitch space. Plan these before the day, not on it.
Entertainment for one age group. Community events need something for everyone, from a kids' zone to a place for older visitors to sit and watch.
Missing the promotion opportunity. Branded photos and a shared gallery are free marketing for next year. Don't waste them.
Leaving it late. Summer event season is competitive — book your attractions early.

Proven at real festivals and community events across Surrey

This is what we bring to festivals, fêtes and community events across the South East — from a 360 booth at the Big Church Festival to selfie pods and inflatables at community centres and village events across Surrey. We plan the power, the cover and the pitch so your attractions run smoothly all day.

See our dedicated festivals & community events photo booth hire page, or get a fast quote for your event.

Inflatable photo booth at a community centre event, Forest Community Centre
Enclosed photo booth at a summer event, St Teresa's
Selfie pod at a community event, The Underglobe, London
Inflatable photo booth at an event, Harbour Hotel Guildford

The bottom line

A festival or community event lives on its attractions. Give people a reason to stop and stay with a photo booth, treat stalls and games; cater for every age; plan the outdoor logistics; and use branded photos to promote the event and reward your sponsors. Get the mix right and the day feels busy, families stay longer, and word spreads for next year.

Wherever your event is across Surrey, London and the South East, we can help you draw a crowd.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are good entertainment ideas for a festival or community event?

The strongest community events combine an attraction that draws a crowd (a photo booth, 360 booth or inflatable booth), festival treat stalls like popcorn, candy floss and slush, games or challenges for all ages, and music or a DJ for atmosphere. Branded photos and a shared gallery promote the event for next year.

Can a photo booth be used outdoors at a festival?

Yes — with the right planning. Booths need cover from sun and rain (a gazebo or marquee) and a power source; battery-powered options are available where mains power is limited. Tell us about your pitch and we'll plan the setup so it runs smoothly all day.

How can attractions help raise money for a community event?

Treat stalls (popcorn, candy floss, slush) and paid-entry game challenges can run as fundraisers for the event or a local cause, while a sponsored, branded booth gives a supporter real value. Build the fundraising and sponsorship in from the start.

What entertainment works for all ages at a community event?

Mix it up: a photo booth and treat stalls for everyone, an inflatable booth and candy floss for the children, games and music for teens and adults, and a place for older visitors to sit and watch. Variety is what keeps a whole community on site.

When should we book festival and community event entertainment?

Early. Summer fêtes, fairs and festivals cluster into the same few months, so the best attractions get booked well ahead. Securing your date early also helps with planning power, pitches and any branding.

Do you cover festivals and community events across Surrey?

Yes. We provide photo booths, treat stalls and entertainment for festivals, fêtes, fun days and community events across Surrey, London and the wider South East — including events like the Big Church Festival and community celebrations across the county.