How to host a festival in your garden

There are plenty of big festivals, including legendary events that draw thousands of music fans. But why not organize your very own garden party with live music and everything else that makes a great festival? Everyone starts small. Here are a few tips on how to host an unforgettable festival in your garden. 🎸🤘

Platforms – safe, stable, and height-adjustable

Apart from a lorry or trailer stage, the simplest option is to use modular, connectable stage platforms, which are available with or without removable legs or with a scissor base. 

Stairville Tour Stage Platform 2×1 m ODW

Make sure they’re suitable for outdoor use and have a non-slip surface. Also keep the load-bearing capacity in mind, which should also be certified. 

Stageworx Tec Deck 2x1m ODW

You can achieve the desired height using legs of the appropriate length. The adjustable tele models are also useful, as you can use them to level out uneven surfaces.

Stairville TourStage Tele Leg 4x 80-140cm

The truss: versatile and safe rigging

The stage elements alone are not enough. Any decent outdoor stage needs truss elements for mounting lights and attaching tarps and curtains to protect against the elements. The triangular 3-point system is probably the most frequently used type of truss. 

Global Truss F33200 Traverse 2,0 m

One advantage of these is their modular design, which allows you to build a wide variety of stage structures while complying with safety regulations. While you must of course ensure that the load requirements are met at all times, the challenge is to find a compromise between what’s sufficient and what’s too much. If you install tarps, for example, strong winds can quickly cause excessive loads. It is therefore better to go a bit over the top in terms of stability.

Global Truss F33300 Traverse 3,0 m

Backline: power, data, and audio connections

As the organizer of a small festival in your own garden, you probably won’t have to worry about the backline too much. Bands and DJs usually bring their own instruments and amps to small to medium-sized events. However, you are responsible for providing a sufficient number of secure power distributors and audio distributors such as multicore cables. This helps to avoid tripping hazards on stage while providing everything the artists and technicians need to feed their signals to the FOH desk in good quality. It’s usually better to add an extra stage box than to have a lot of long cable runs.

the sssnake MTS 164 – SB

Stairville PD-332 Power Distributor 32A

PCE 9130008 Ischl BV CEE 32A

Light show for the perfect festival atmosphere

No festival without proper lighting – it’s simply a must! This summer clearly shows what you need to pay attention to: the lights and effects must be suitable for outdoor use and have an IP65 rating, which means that they’re sufficiently protected for temporary use in damp environments. LED lights with segment control, which serve both as lights and as eye-catchers, are very much in vogue. Of course, a few IP65-rated “cans” are also a must.

Stairville Wild Wash Pro 648 RGBW

Stairville Stage Flood Inst QCL 24x10W

Stairville Outdoor Stage Par 12x3W Tri

PA and frontline: As much as necessary, as little as possible

In contrast to the backline, you as the organizer of the garden festival will likely be responsible for the PA. Not every band travels with a sufficiently dimensioned PA system. Don’t panic, the number of guests is limited and you don’t have to fill a stadium with sound. It can make sense to opt for a complete PA set or DJ set, which includes subwoofers, satellites, speaker poles, cables, and, ideally, a mixer. 

the box pro Achat Mobile Power MK II

The amount of power you need depends on the size of the event, but ultimately also on how tolerant your neighbours are. Indeed, the motto is: as much as necessary, as little as possible.

Thomann Band Bundle M

Hire stage and event equipment from a professional supplier

Organising a festival in your garden involves a lot of equipment for a wide variety of tasks. Logically, this will also be a big factor in your budget. The questions that remain are, firstly, how big you really have to go. Perhaps you can reduce the equipment to the bare minimum and still have a great party! Secondly, ask yourself if hiring the equipment (stage, rigging, lighting, audio) isn’t the more sensible and affordable choice. In fact, this is often the case. There are sure to be professional hire companies in your area that can provide the right equipment for your party at a fair price.

No compromises when it comes to safety

So as not to raise any false expectations, here’s a word of caution. Generally speaking, having a private party isn’t a problem, although it’s always a good idea to make sure you have liability insurance. However, organizing a festival in your garden is a different dimension – and you’re fully responsible. Depending on the size and number of guests, you will have to comply with various regulations. Although many details and requirements depend on whether or not the event is commercial, you absolutely and positively must abide by the local safety regulations. And if you’re organizing the event commercially, be sure to check for any additional regulations and laws.

What if someone complains?

In the case of open-air events on private property, the interests of the organizer and guests must always be balanced against the local residents’ right to a peaceful and quiet environment. Depending on your jurisdiction, there may be specific laws and regulations covering this issue. If residents complain, you can offer to turn down the volume or position the speakers differently, so as to avoid your event being shut down. Depending on the local regulations, the authorities may have the right to terminate the event or even confiscate your equipment if you don’t comply. You clearly want to avoid that – so invite the neighbours over instead!

By the way: a little warning

Frustrated by the frequent termination of illegal raves in the White Mountains by the police, Rick Kidson from Belmont, an employee of a local radio station in the US state of Maine, began to organize a regular electro festival on his property in 2003. In 2016, the BelTek festival was in full swing – no noise complaints, no police, no ambulance, no injuries. Still, his friend Gus came running to the stage around 4:30 pm and shouted: “Turn everything off!” It turned out that the barn was on fire. In the end, around 75 percent of the property burned to the ground, including Rick’s residential home. With this in mind: always be careful and prepared!

How to host a festival in your garden

Well then, we wish you and your festival guests lots of fun and success. Feel free to let us know in the comments what you’re planning or how it went in the end. Off into the summer!

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