Updated August 2023
Music and cultural festivals are undoubtedly good for the human spirit. In fact, research indicates that attending a festival can make you feel more connected to humanity and more willing to help strangers for at least six months afterwards.
Outdoor festivals, fairs, and other community events also provide a remarkable opportunity for brands to connect with a large, engaged audience, both on the ground and via social media.
Giving away promotional items at a festival (or holding a social media giveaway for festival attendees) provides a tangible reminder of your brand that can influence consumers to do business with your company. Besides increasing brand awareness, festival giveaways (like branded t-shirts, drink koozies, and lip balm) can improve brand loyalty and convert existing customers into brand advocates.
However, successful giveaways require great branded merch that consumers will want to use and keep for a long time.
That’s why we put together a guide to cost-effective and cool festival giveaway ideas for summer and early fall – including unique, inexpensive, retro, and eco-friendly swag items. Each item included in our list can be customized with your brand logo and colors.
For additional event giveaway ideas, check out our guide to Summer Swag.
Unique Festival Giveaways Ideas
Unique swag can help your brand stand out in a crowd. Some fun and unique festival giveaways ideas for summer and fall festivals include:
Light Up Shoelaces
Look no further for unusual and fun festival giveaways. These light up shoelaces are perfect for VIP swag bags. Laces have three modes – solid, fast flashing and blinking. Lighting last about 30-40 hours. Two batteries are included.
Show Time Selfie Cell Phone Light
A clever VIP festival swag item. Illuminate your selfies with this custom selfie ring light phone attachment. Your brand will help shed some light and make things bright.
Bottle Bash
A fun summer event giveaway prize. Enjoy the outdoors with some family fun! Bottle Bash is a game that anyone and everyone can play, all you need to do is hit the bottle with the frisbee. Portable and easy to set up.
Clip Buddies
The Clip Buddies are ready to blast your favorite tunes anytime, anywhere! This speaker has a clip design that allows you to attach it to backpacks, bags, and belt loops so you can experience hands-free, portable sound. Includes a set of earbuds that will allow you to easily switch from surround sound to a solo listening experience. Ideal for music festival giveaways.
Inexpensive Festival Swag Ideas
These budget-friendly festival giveaways are perfect for businesses that need useful and widely appealing swag!
V.I.P. Phone Wallet
One of our favorite cheap swag ideas for musical festivals and other summer events. The V.I.P. Card Holder can store cash or one credit card or ID card, while adhesive tape on the back allows for easy application on most flat-backed smartphones. Several different imprint colors are available.
OverCool™ 3-1
The Overcool is a mini USB fan for your phone or other mobile device. With three interchangeable connectors (Micro USB-C, Micro USB, and Lightning), the Overcool is compatible with iPhones and Androids.
Economy Lip Balm in Skinny Tube
Custom lip balm and mints are cheap event giveaways that have massive appeal! This petroleum base lip balm in skinny tube is an inexpensive customizable personal care item that nearly everyone can use.
Peeper Keeper
Customizable sunglass strap made from neoprene (wet suit material). Perfect for sunglasses or eyeglasses!
Custom Slim Can Coolers
Customizable slim can cooler sleeves made out of durable and colorful neoprene fabric. Additional custom can cooler styles that are ideal for festivals include funky velvet neoprene can coolers (with or without pocket) and magnetic can coolers.
CleanZ Pen SPF 50 Sunscreen
Unscented spray sunscreen pen with a clear cap. This 10 mL. Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Spray Sunscreen is Oxybenzone & PABA Free. USA Made in an FDA Registered facility.
Oscen LED Whistle Keychain
Show your concern for their safety and wellbeing with this economical event swag item. Add your logo to this colorful whistle keychain which features a push-button LED light and split key ring. Available in red, black, blue, green, orange, or purple.
Eco Friendly Swag for Music Festivals & Concerts
Socially responsible corporate gifts can help your brand connect with eco-conscious consumers. Some of our favorite eco-friendly and sustainable swag ideas for concert and festival giveaways include:
CamelBak Eddy+ 25oz Tritan™ Renew Bottle
This large CamelBak water bottle features a screw-on lid with spill-proof bite valve and one-finger carry handle. Wide mouth opening for easy cleaning and filling. BPA Free. Made from durable Tritan RENEW material, 50% PCR based, partially derived from waste plastic. Shatter, stain, and odor resistant.
ECO Scuba Foam Pocket Coolie Can Cover
1/8″ thick high-density recycled open-cell foam can cover. Made from 80% recycled plastic P.E.T. Bottles. Collapsible can holder. Featuring a full bleed four-color process sublimation print.
Rainbow Recycled Cotton Grocery Tote
A truly unique way to show off your brand in an eco-friendly way. Pre-consumer recycled cotton grocery tote featuring rainbow webbing grab handles. This tote makes a perfect grab-and-go bag for the farmers’ market or grocery store.
SIERRA Recycled Felt Sunglass Case
Handcrafted recycled felt sunglasses case. This felt is sustainably made and produced from recycled plastic bottles.
Slowtide Quick-Dry Towels
Made from 100% recycled materials, Slowtide Quick-Dry Towels are the perfect companion for Yoga class, beach, gym or home. Highly absorbent, fast drying, and sand free. Compact and ultra-lightweight. Double-sided print. Clamp label and drawcord loop. 8+ colorful and attractive patterns to choose from including classic paisley.
Continued Mary Jane Plant Bag (1000d RPET)
Each one of these Mary Jane plant bags keeps two plastic bottles out of the landfill! Made from durable eco-friendly utility fabric (100% post-consumer recycled materials).
Apparel & Accessory Giveaway Ideas for Outdoor Events
Port Authority Beach Wash Visor
Custom sun visors are a classic swag idea for summer events. This visor is made from 100% garment-washed cotton twill. The garment-washing process infuses each garment with unique character. Available in Blue Moon, Coal Gray, Denim Blue, Red Rock, and Tidal Wave Blue.
Dye-Sublimated Head & Neck Sleeve
This multi-purpose 20″ Dye-Sublimated Head and Neck Sleeve converts from headband to neck sleeve to a knotted beanie, balaclava, and more in seconds. Bring versatility, style, and function to your next outdoor event, race, or sporting event. Make it your own with fun stock patterns or custom artwork.
Next Level Unisex Cotton Tee
Give away (or sell) custom festivals t-shirts made from comfortable and durable combed ring-spun cotton. These unisex t-shirts are the perfect blank slate for your brand logo or original designs. Stylish Next Level Women’s Festival Tees (including crop tops and muscle tanks) are also available.
Sport-Tek PosiCharge Competitor Headband
This unisex moisture-wicking headband is a fun festival freebie that can be decorated to prominently feature your brand logo. This comfortable headband narrows in the back to fit more securely and includes single-needle top-stitched edging. Available in bright, fun colors like lime shock green, neon pink, and atomic blue.
Rainbow Sun Ray Sunglasses
Custom sunglasses are a classic promotional item for outdoor events. These full color rainbow frame sunglasses feature silver mirrored UV 400 protective lenses.
Retro Summer Giveaways
Retro promotional items are a useful nostalgia marketing tool. Some attractive and fun retro festival swag items that event attendees will covet include:
Tie Dyed Drawstring Bag
Perfect for a cultural festival or outdoor concert, the Tie Dyed Drawstring Bag is sure to be a hit. This on-trend cinch bag features a drawstring closure.
Trillah Fanny Pack
Strap the Trillah Fanny Pack across your chest or around your waist for a practical yet trendy retro look. Store your phone, wallet, and sunglasses in the Trillah for all-day access.
Continued All The Things Pouch in Corduroy
The rich colors and beloved texture of corduroy will bring a touch of nostalgia to your sales kit. This modish corduroy fabric travel pouch is small enough to hold your supplies but still small enough to easily slip into your backpack or toolkit. Available in 7 vibrant colors including frosted mint, cinnamon, and olive.
Festival Giveaways = A Sound Advertising Choice
Cultural and music festival giveaways provide a cost-effective way for businesses to build brand awareness and loyalty among target markets. Free swag is also a terrific perk to add to VIP ticket packages.
For assistance with selecting the best festival giveaways for your brand, contact us today by filling out the form below.