Planning your first music festival? We've outlined some tips to get you started to ensure the success of your festival.

1. How to Begin Your Own Music Festival

2. Starting a music festival can be a daunting task, but the rewards are well
worth the challenges.

3. Give Yourself Enough Time
You will need several months, or possibly even a couple of
years to get a quality musical festival off the ground,
depending on the size of the festival.
This kind of event takes a healthy chunk of time and
forethought.

4. Make a List
There are a lot of details that go into planning a music
festival: you need to
• Pick a venue
• Rent or buy the necessary equipment
• Ensure that you’re meeting local safety standards
You’ll also need a solid cash flow from sponsors and artists
to play your stage, as well as activities to keep concert-
goers entertained between sets.
Make a detailed list of what needs to accomplish and when
it needs to be done by, and you’ll be part of the way
towards making your dream event a reality.

5. Put Together A Good Team
In order to pull off an excellent music festival, you need to
have a team of reliable, hard-working people.
If you find yourself lacking in a specific area, bringing
aboard someone who excels in that area will help fill in
any gaps.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and delegate tasks to others
who have knowledge where you may have inexperience.

6. Work With Your Local Government
Permits and permissions are all part of putting together an event
of this size, and you need the local government on your team.
Don’t place this aspect of your event at the bottom of your
priorities. It should be at the top.
Make and keep up contacts in the local government, and give
them enough time to process the permits you need for your
festival.
Last minute requests will not make you friends in the local
government, and by waiting too long you may not get the
permission you need at all.

7. Get A Good Mix of Musicians
If you are just starting out, your budget may be limited as to
the level of musicians that you can get for your festival.
You need to search for smaller, local favorites that people
will enjoy discovering at your festivals in between the more
popular bands they already know and love.
By having a good mix of popular musicians and lesser-
known artists you can satisfy your crowd with both the
familiar and the excitement of a new discovery.

8. Great music is the essence of a music festival, but having
food trucks other vendors are also a big part of a good time
for your festival-goers.
Try to include local foods, awesome clothing pop-ups, and
maybe toss in some experiential booths.
You should also keep your doors and eyes open for any
other appropriate vendors that fit the theme of your festival.
More Than Just Music

9. Beginning a music festival isn’t a walk in the park, but it is worth
facing the difficulties of red tape and sponsors to make it happen.
Once you’ve pulled off your first successful music festival, the
doors for subsequent years are wide open to endless possibilities
of sponsors, vendors and great music.