Festival Planning Resources
Choosing a marquee is only one part of planning a temporary festival space. Capacity, layout, access, furniture, service areas and the way people move through the site can all influence what will actually work.
This resource centre brings together practical information for organisers planning covered areas across festivals and outdoor events. Use the guides as a starting point, then speak to us when you are ready to discuss the requirements of your own site.
Start Here
Marquee Planning
Understand the factors that affect how much covered space you need, including guest numbers, seating, standing layouts, furniture, bars and working areas.
The guide is designed to help you think beyond a simple guest-to-square-metre calculation and consider how the marquee will actually be used.
Read the Marquee Size GuideSite Planning
Look at the wider site before deciding where individual structures should go. Access routes, guest movement, service areas and the relationship between public and operational spaces all matter.
This guide introduces the questions worth considering before temporary structures are positioned across a festival site.
Read the Site Planning GuideA Useful Starting Point
Planning by Topic
Compare gazebos, pop-up marquees, pagoda marquees and stretch tents according to the role they need to perform.
Guest-facing structures need to consider comfort, presentation, circulation and the atmosphere of the space. See our approach to festival VIP and hospitality areas.
Bars need more than guest capacity. Counter length, queues, working space and service access should be considered when planning a festival bar structure.
Catering areas should account for equipment, preparation, staff movement and service. Explore festival catering structures.
Public spaces are only part of the site. Consider staff welfare and backstage and production requirements early in the plan.
Once the structure is chosen, consider the festival services and equipment required inside it, including furniture, flooring, lighting and heating.
Before Choosing a Structure
The answers do not need to be exact, but they give you a much stronger starting point than choosing a marquee based only on appearance.
A bar, dining area, guest lounge, production office and staff welfare space all use floor area differently. Start with the function of the structure.
Think about peak occupancy rather than total festival attendance. A structure may only serve a proportion of visitors at any one time.
Tables, chairs, counters, catering equipment, storage and circulation routes all reduce the usable open floor area.
Entrances and circulation should make sense within the wider site rather than being considered separately from surrounding festival areas.
Installation, servicing and operational access can influence where a structure is practical to position.
Planning Meets Reality
Planning guidance is more useful when it can be compared with real installations. Our festival case studies show work across events including EID Festival, Eat Food Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Soho House Festival, Pride London and Marylebone Summer Fayre.
You can also browse the festival marquee gallery to see different structures and event spaces in use.
Planning Your Own Festival?
When you have an idea of the spaces you need, send us the festival name, venue, date and requirements. We can then discuss suitable temporary structures and supporting equipment.