3 Conscious Design Trends That We Hope To See In 2025 | Festival Design and Event Installation Team
Being in the festival and event space, we’ve always got our finger on the pulse of new trends, returning trends and short-lived fads. And with the early months of the year focusing heavily on crafting proposals and ideas for the year's festivals and events, we’ve already noticed some exciting new things come to light.
Let us walk you through the conscious trends we’re currently seeing, and the ones we hope will shape the event landscape in 2025. Whether you’re an event planner, festival organiser, or just someone who loves a well-curated party, here are the top three event design trends to keep on your radar this year:
1) Sustainability as Standard
Starting with one of our favourites, let’s talk about sustainability, and setting this ‘trend’ as a standard!
Gone are the days of greenwashing, overusing eco-friendly buzzwords, and treating sustainability as an afterthought (or at least, we hope so). As companies evolve, more event organisers are making environmental responsibility a core focus rather than a box to tick!
Interactive and Engaging Installations
People are finally realising that sustainability doesn’t have to be boring (its about time!). And we’re seeing this shift through creative, interactive choices to reduce environmental impact, whilst keeping guests engaged.
For example:
Creative Waste Management Systems
Partnering with eco-friendly waste management companies to ensure zero-waste practices
Water Saving Solutions
Refill stations, compostable toilets, and clear messaging around water conservation
Art Installations, Photo Opportunities and Education Stations
Using recycled waste and engaging stations to create interactions that guests want to talk about, highlighting the impact of plastic waste, energy and water consumption, continuing the conversation around our planet.
From water conservation to composting schemes, festivals are introducing creative ways to make sustainability engaging. Waste management is no longer just about bin placement, it’s about making sustainable choices feel natural, interactive, and possibly even fun!
Conscious Design and Tech Decisions
A stage is a non-negotiable for a festival, so in 2025 we’re hoping to see them designed and built with purpose and sustainability in mind.
We’re all about maximising creativity, whilst minimising environmental impact by focusing on the materials used in these types of installs. Of course, stage designs must be eye-catching and effective, but this doesn’t have to be mass-produced and single use.
Many festivals are already opting for:
Reclaimed and handmade materials instead of mass-manufactured pieces.
Upcycled wood, fabric-based signage, and modular structures that can be reused season after season.
Low-energy LED displays and solar-powered installations to reduce excessive power consumption.
Sustainable Travel
Sustainability doesn’t stop at the event gates, it starts the moment attendees begin their journey (literally!).
Festivals are making green transport easier and more appealing through:
Shuttle buses from key locations.
Incentives for lift-sharing.
Bike racks made from reclaimed wood and clear shuttle stop signage.
We love seeing companies like You Smart Thing working hard to reduce the impact of travel on these huge events.
Sustainable Furniture & Decor Choices
Once on-site, the commitment continues with responsibly sourced festival attractions, dining furniture and lounges. Instead of mass-produced seating and lounges that end up in landfill after a season, more festivals are choosing high-quality, reusable setups from sustainable suppliers (like us!).
This shift proves that sustainability doesn’t mean sacrificing style or convenience! We are seeing more festival organisers opting for:
A focus on luxury and experience when it comes to furniture and decor choices
Reusable small and branded decor that can be used year on year or even at multiple events
Hiring rather than buying on furniture, saving items going to landfill while also saving a huge amount on storage and maintenance (which is also great for those budget lines)
Timeless style choices that really tap into the event’s brand identity, rather than on-trend alternatives, which will quickly evolve and be outdated
A desire for building long-term relationships with suppliers, ensuring a higher level of care and responsibility during all stages of the event production
2) Wellness and Self Care Themes
In 2025, wellness at festivals is about so much more than just a morning yoga session, it’s becoming a core part of the festival experience. As festivals continue to evolve beyond music and entertainment, they’re transforming into spaces that allow guests to rejuvenate, reflect, and recharge (of course, with some incredible music too!).
Zen Spaces to Relax
The need for quiet, restful spaces has never been greater. After years of energetic festival culture and the realisation of the importance of mental wellness, many events are now planning dedicated areas for relaxation. Respite lounges away from the crowd, shaded retreats, and sensory-friendly spaces are becoming festival staples, offering guests a hint of calm away from the noise.
Breathwork Sessions and Wellness Workshops
Festivals are also expanding their wellness offerings to include breathwork sessions, sound healing, and forest bathing experiences, helping guests connect with themselves and their surroundings in new ways…and feel as if they could be at a boutique spa.
These areas are being cleverly designed by incorporating biophilic design elements, using natural materials, greenery, and open-air structures, promoting calmness and reducing stress! We are loving working with some key players in the festival industry to build some exciting wellness spaces for 2025 using our stock of vintage, reclaimed and handmade stock items.
Importance of Nutrition
Nutrition is also playing a huge role in this movement. Festivals are shifting toward mindful food choices, offering a wider variety of locally sourced and allergen-friendly choices.
Hydration is another key focus, with refill stations for water bottles becoming a standard feature, though the challenge still lies in making them engaging and easy to find. This is where thoughtful design and clear signage come into play, something we’re keen to focus on within our installs moving forward.
By prioritising mental and physical well-being, festivals are redefining what it means to have an immersive experience, one that nourishes the mind, body, and soul.
“According to a 2024 study by Eventbrite, 62% of UK festival-goers said they would choose an event that prioritised wellness and mental health over one that did not. Another 58% mentioned they were more likely to attend events that offered stress-relief or mindfulness experiences.”
3) Sober Spaces
Our third and final trend is the rise of sober spaces, a trend driven by the demand for mindful festival experiences and the sober movement introduced by Gen Z. More and more festival-goers are seeking immersive, vibrant spaces that don’t revolve around alcohol, and festivals are finally catching up.
Sober Inclusivity and Specialist Lounges
Gone are the days when alcohol-free options meant no more than a lonely soft drink stand. Instead, dedicated alcohol-free lounges are becoming a festival staple, designed with as much thought and creativity as any VIP area.
Expect to see stylish, themed bars, offering expertly crafted mocktails in beautifully designed surroundings that feel just as exciting as their alcohol-serving friends. We’re hoping these spaces are no longer an afterthought, but becoming immersive, social, and vibrant.
The data speaks for itself, according to Mintel, 69% of event-goers now consider the range of alternative activities at a music event important, up from 64% in 2018. This rising interest in diverse, non-alcoholic experiences suggests that sober spaces are no longer a niche option but a core part of festival culture.
By making sure these spaces are just as engaging, immersive, and stylish as the rest of the festival, organisers are proving that the best festival experiences aren’t just built with alcohol.
Looking ahead to positive trends!
As we move towards the summer months of 2025, we think it’s clear that festivals and events are evolving in exciting, meaningful ways. From sustainability becoming the standard to wellness-driven experiences and the rise of sober spaces, the future of events is shaping up to be more inclusive, thoughtful, and environmentally conscious than ever before.
For those also in the industry, this shift is both an exciting challenge and an incredible opportunity. We’re looking forward to seeing how these continue to develop, and of course, playing our part in making them a reality!
What trends are you most excited to see at festivals and events in 2025? Let us know in the comments!
Or, check out our Instagram below to stay up to date with the team!
