Outdoor events have a special atmosphere. Summer evenings, fairy lights in a marquee, families on picnic blankets at a fun day: there's nothing quite like live music in the open air. But outdoor events bring challenges that indoor venues don't: weather, power, noise and space.
Here's how to plan outdoor entertainment that goes smoothly.
Types of outdoor event
- Garden parties and marquee celebrations
- Community fun days and fêtes
- School and charity events
- Corporate family days
- Small festivals
Acts that work outdoors
Bands
A band like Fresh Grooves, or 60s and 70s acts like Code-E and Retro Jetz, brings energy that suits an outdoor crowd.
Party and family acts
Black Lace are made for crowd participation, and Beardsmith specialise in family entertainment.
Children's entertainment
A children's entertainer like Sparky Marky keeps younger guests happy.
Activities
Power
Power is the number-one issue at outdoor events.
- Mains power: if available, make sure sockets are close to the performance area and suitable for outdoor use.
- Generators: if there's no mains, you'll need a suitable generator. Tell the act in advance.
- Cable safety: cables should be covered or routed away from walkways.
Weather
British weather is unpredictable. Plan for rain even in July.
- Cover: performers and equipment need a covered stage, gazebo or marquee. Electrical equipment can't be used in the rain.
- Wind: gazebos need to be properly weighted.
- Heat: provide shade and water for performers.
- Plan B: have an indoor alternative or a clear policy on what happens in bad weather.
Stage and space
- A flat, level surface for the performers
- Enough space for the act and their equipment
- A clear area in front for the audience
Noise
- Neighbours: keep volume and finish times considerate. For larger events, check local licensing requirements.
- Direction: point speakers away from nearby houses.
- Finish time: outdoor music usually needs to finish earlier than indoor events.
Licensing and permissions
Larger public events may need permission from the landowner or local authority. Private garden parties usually don't, but be considerate to neighbours.
Safety
- Keep cables tidy
- Keep children's activity areas away from vehicles
- Make sure there's a first-aid plan for larger events
Timings
Outdoor events often run during the afternoon and early evening. Plan the main act for when the most people are present.
Choosing the right act for an outdoor space
Sound behaves differently outdoors. With no walls to reflect it, music can feel thinner and quieter than it would in a function room, and it carries further towards neighbours. A band with a full PA copes well in a large open space. A solo acoustic act is lovely for a small garden party but can get lost at a busy fun day. Tell us the size of the space and the expected numbers, and we'll suggest acts with the right equipment for it.
Think about what the audience will be doing, too. At a garden party people stand, chat and drift between the bar and the food, so background-friendly acts work well until later in the evening. At a fun day families move between activities, so short, high-energy sets at set times draw a crowd better than one long performance.
Marquees
Marquees sit somewhere between indoors and outdoors. They give cover from rain and help contain sound, but they come with their own considerations:
- Flooring: performers need a flat, solid floor, not uneven grass.
- Power: many marquee sites rely on generators. Make sure the supply suits the act's equipment and is set up by the marquee or generator supplier.
- Heating and lighting: evenings get cold even in summer. Plan for both.
- Layout: position the act so guests can see them and the dance floor is in front, not at the far end from the bar.
Running order for a summer garden party
- Afternoon arrival with background music or an acoustic set
- Games and activities, such as crazy golf or carnival stalls, for children and adults
- Food
- Main act as the light starts to fade
- A final set or DJ until the agreed finish time
Community fun days and fêtes
Community events often run on tight budgets with volunteer organisers. A few tips that help:
- Keep the stage programme simple, with clear set times on posters and social media
- Put children's entertainment early in the day while families are arriving
- Save the band for the end of the afternoon to keep people on site
- Have a named volunteer to look after performers when they arrive
Corporate family days
Companies increasingly host summer family days instead of, or alongside, a Christmas party. Entertainment needs to suit staff, partners and children, so a mix works best: activities that run all afternoon, a children's entertainer, and a band or tribute act to finish. Make sure the act knows it's a family audience so the content and volume suit.
Lighting after dark
Festoon lights, lanterns and uplighters make a garden party magical as the sun goes down. Make sure the performance area is well lit and pathways are clear.
Quick answers
Can acts perform on grass?
They need a flat, stable, covered surface. Staging or flooring is recommended.
Are there any hidden booking fees?
No Hidden Booking Fees. The price we quote is the price you pay. No additional agency booking fees or unexpected charges. We usually ask for a deposit to secure the date, and everything is confirmed in writing before your event.
Can I check if an act is free before I enquire?
Yes. Most act profiles have a live date checker, and Check your date shows who is available across our roster. Diaries change quickly in busy periods, so we always confirm availability when you enquire.
Ready to plan?
Visit our festival entertainment and event hire pages, or request a quote.
Ready to find your act?
Flair Entertainments has been booking entertainers for clients across the UK since 1984. Send us your date, venue and the kind of night you want and we’ll come back with acts that suit.
