Top Entertainment Ideas for Outdoor Community Festivals
Picture this: you're walking through your town's festival, the smell of barbecue hits you, kids are laughing on the bounce house, and there's this amazing band on stage that's got everyone, from teenagers to grandparents, dancing together. That's the magic we're talking about.
If we’re being honest, outdoor festivals can either be something people forget about by next week, or they can become the event everyone circles on their calendar year after year.
The difference? It's all in the entertainment.
Maybe you're planning your town's first food truck festival, or you're trying to figure out how to make this year's harvest celebration better than last year's. Either way, you're probably wondering: what kind of entertainment actually works? What gets people to stick around instead of just grabbing a funnel cake and heading home?
That's exactly what we're going to walk through. We've seen what works (and what definitely doesn't), and we want to share some ideas that might just turn your festival into the kind of event people are still talking about months later.
What You’ll Learn in This Article:
- Top entertainment ideas to elevate any outdoor community festival
- How to blend cultural performances with premium live bands
- Why adaptability to venue size and audience matters
- Real-world insights from successful festivals curated by Dennis Smith Entertainment
1. Cultural Dance Troupes to Kick Off the Celebration
Nothing sets the tone for a vibrant outdoor festival quite like a cultural dance performance.
Whether it’s the rhythmic pulse of samba, the passionate artistry of flamenco, or the joyful sounds of a mariachi ensemble, these performances create an atmosphere that’s rich in energy and diversity.
At Dennis Smith Entertainment, we’ve helped bring together performers from a variety of cultural backgrounds to open festivals with excitement and color.
We recently worked on a festival outside Atlanta where we brought together this amazing mix of Latin and Asian performers. Picture this: samba dancers getting people warmed up, then flamenco artists bringing this incredible drama to the stage, bongo drummers that you could feel in your chest, and mariachi musicians that had three-year-olds dancing with their grandparents.
The result? A multi-sensory experience that captivated guests and set the stage for an unforgettable celebration.
Why It Works for Outdoor Festivals
Visually engaging: colorful costumes, dynamic choreography, and live instruments stand out in open-air venues.
Inclusive atmosphere: showcases the diversity of the community and welcomes everyone.
Flexible staging: these acts work on large stages or open fields, engaging both seated audiences and passersby.
The best part is watching how these artists connect with people. They're sharing their heritage and getting everyone else excited to be part of the celebration.
2. Dynamic Drumlines and Percussion Acts
Here's the thing about drums at outdoor festivals—you feel them before you hear them. That deep thump that cuts right through all the chatter, the sizzling of food stands, and even the sound of kids running around. Suddenly, everyone's looking in the same direction.
At Dennis Smith Entertainment, we've learned that if you want to grab people's attention fast, especially in a big open space, percussion is your best friend. Think about a group of bongo drummers setting up right in the middle of your festival grounds, or a full drumline marching through the crowd. People can't help but follow the beat.
We’ve curated performances featuring bongo drummers, samba percussionists, and high-energy drumlines that not only deliver a powerful sound but also provide a visual spectacle. The combination of synchronized beats, vibrant costumes, and interactive performances keeps guests engaged and excited.
Why Percussion Works Outdoors
Loud and clear: perfect for large, open spaces where sound needs to travel.
Visually captivating: drummers often incorporate choreography or props to enhance the experience.
Versatile: can open the festival, lead parades through the grounds, or transition between acts.
And here's a pro tip: percussion groups are incredibly flexible. They can open your festival with a bang, lead people from one area to another, or fill those gaps between main acts when you need to keep the energy up. They're basically the festival's heartbeat.
3. Premium Live Bands That Keep the Crowd Dancing
As the day shifts into evening, the energy at a community festival should build, and that’s where a premium live band makes all the difference.
At Dennis Smith Entertainment, we’re proud to represent some of the most dynamic and versatile live acts in the country, including Party on the Moon® and Jessie’s Girls®.
The thing about really good festival bands is they understand the space they're working with. In a small park, they'll dial it back just enough to feel intimate.
On a big festival stage with thousands of people? They'll bring the energy that reaches the back of the crowd. They know when to get people moving, when to slow it down for a sing-along, and how to keep the momentum going without those awkward dead moments that kill the vibe.
Why Live Bands Are Perfect for Outdoor Festivals
Energy that scales: from small community parks to sprawling festival grounds, these bands adapt their sound and presence to fit the space.
Interactive performances: live musicians engage directly with the audience, creating moments that feel spontaneous and exciting.
Smooth transitions: experienced bands can keep the party going without awkward pauses or energy dips.
When you've got the right band, your festival doesn't just have entertainment; it has a heartbeat that keeps everyone connected to the experience.
4. Mix and Match Entertainment Styles for Maximum Impact
Here's something we've figured out after doing this for a while: the best festivals don't just book one type of act and call it a day. They build a journey that takes people through different experiences as the day unfolds.
We did this festival with Nam Dae Mun Farmers Market, which turned out perfectly. We started the day with these beautiful cultural performances: samba dancers that had kids mesmerized, flamenco artists that made everyone stop and watch, and mariachi music that just made people happy. It set this wonderful, welcoming tone where everyone felt included.
But then, as the sun started going down, we switched gears completely. Out came Party on the Moon® and Jessie's Girls®, and suddenly the whole vibe transformed. Same crowd, but now they were ready to party. People who'd been quietly enjoying the earlier acts were suddenly dancing with strangers.
The magic happens in how you build that momentum. You're not just throwing random acts together; you're creating this arc that carries people through the day.
Start with something that draws people in and makes them feel welcome, then gradually amp up the energy until you've got everyone celebrating together.
Why a Mixed Lineup Works
Builds momentum: start with daytime performances that engage families and cultural enthusiasts, then shift to high-energy headliners for the evening.
Broad audience appeal: offers something for everyone, from cultural showcases to mainstream hits.
Keeps guests engaged: variety helps prevent entertainment fatigue, ensuring that guests stay until the final song.
5. Customizing Entertainment for Your Audience and Venue
Every community festival is unique, and the entertainment should reflect that. At Dennis Smith Entertainment, we believe in tailoring each performance lineup to match the venue, the crowd, and the event’s purpose.
We've done everything from small-town festivals where we bring in acoustic acts that let people actually have conversations, all the way up to massive events where we're coordinating full production with lights, fog machines, and sound systems that can reach thousands of people.
It's not just about booking good acts. It's about booking the right acts for your specific event, your specific community, and your specific goals. That's what turns a collection of performances into an experience that actually means something to the people who show up.
How We Customize Entertainment
Audience-first planning: understanding who’s attending (families, young professionals, seniors) and curating acts that resonate.
Venue-friendly configurations: from acoustic trios to full-scale stage productions with lighting and sound engineering.
Seamless flow: coordinating transitions between acts so the entertainment feels continuous and intentional.
Final Thoughts: Outdoor Festivals Deserve Entertainment That Resonates
Here's what we've learned after years of doing this: people don't remember the food trucks or even the vendors they bought from. They remember how your festival made them feel.
Did they leave thinking, "wow, that was actually fun," or did they just check it off their weekend to-do list? The difference usually comes down to whether you treated the entertainment as an afterthought or as the thing that brings everything else together.
Whether it's cultural dancers that celebrate what makes your town unique, drummers that get everyone's pulse racing, or bands that turn your festival grounds into the place everyone wants to be as the sun goes down, it all comes down to understanding what your community needs and delivering something that feels genuine.
So if you're putting together a festival, think bigger than just "we need some music." Think about the story you want to tell and the feeling you want people to take home with them. That's when a good festival becomes one people actually remember.
Ready to Curate an Unforgettable Outdoor Festival?
From dynamic dance troupes to high-energy live bands, Dennis Smith Entertainment specializes in creating memorable outdoor entertainment experiences tailored to your vision and audience.
Let’s Talk About Your Festival →