While it may seem like April is eons away, time during the school year will fly past you. With midterms, holiday breaks, and general campus activities getting in the way, it is important to give yourselves as much time as possible to plan your Spring Fest Events.
● Secure funding early: Confirm budgets from student government, sponsors, or ticket sales projections well in advance. Knowing your budget early allows you to start everything else that needs to be done to put on a great event and can alleviate the stress of doing everything at the last minute.
● Prioritize spending: Divide the budget across talent, production (stage, sound, lighting), marketing, and security. While it may seem like your artist is the biggest aspect of the budget, there are SO many other things that can impact the bottom line, it is important to have a detailed plan of exactly how your board plans to allocate you budget towards such a large event.
● Book talent early: Artists’ schedules fill up quickly in spring. Most schools will have their large Spring Fest/concerts in late April, and with so many schools looking for talent across the same 2-3 weekends, the most popular artists get booked incredibly quickly. In April and May, you also compete with major music festivals like Coachella, Stagecoach, Joshua Tree, and more.
● Know your audience: Survey students or analyze past events to pick genres/artists that match campus tastes. If you’ve had multiple concerts of the same genre in the past, look at how those went. Using data and attendance numbers from past events can help guide your choices for the next one.
● Consider variety: Booking an opener with a different style can broaden appeal. Adding multiple artists to the lineup can also turn the event into a whole experience rather than just a concert. Have a big-name DJ booked? Consider adding PaintU to turn the event into a Paint Rave! Looking to transition from more active parts of the event into live music? Look at interactive performers like Free Daps who keep the crowd engaged and can help smooth the transition from things like inflatables and trivia to a live show on stage.
● Balance cost vs. draw: A rising artist with strong social media buzz may create more excitement than an expensive big name. Use tools and metrics like the number of monthly listeners on Spotify, radio data from ChartMetric, and more to help you balance the cost vs. the draw an artist may have. You can also find rough artist pricing on our Degy Artist Search database to stay up to date on the types of artists that may fit in your budget.
● Openers: Opening acts are a great way to ease into the event and let the crowd grow before the headliner gets on stage. If the budget allows, you can book multiple national level acts to help draw a bigger crowd, but there are plenty of ways to save money and still have great openers! Many schools will opt to have a student performer open the show. This is a great way to get an extra act on the lineup while not breaking the bank. You can also look at local/regional bands, or even the Degy Roster of acts to find great and affordable options!
● Secure the venue: Reserve fields, arenas, or other campus spaces early. Most campuses have tons of events scheduled for the end of the year, so getting your space reserved early is crucial. If your Spring Fest is an outdoor event, make sure you have a backup location in case it rains! By reserving the space early, you also guarantee you get your ideal choice of date for the event.
● Hire professional production teams: Hire experienced sound and lighting companies. Student volunteers can help with hospitality and logistics, but pros should handle technical needs. This also allows your student team to focus on other areas of the event to make sure everything runs smoothly!
● Permits & compliance: Coordinate with campus administration for safety approvals, noise ordinances, and crowd control. It’s important to include all the majors. Campus players to know what must be done policy wise and legally to hold your event. By coordinating with relevant campus departments early, you avoid the headache of last-minute changes if certain people are out of the loop.
While the concert may be the main attraction, the best Spring Fests feel like all-day celebrations. Add activities that appeal to everyone – from morning to night.
● Include a carnival atmosphere: Add carnival games, rides, and interactive booths to create an immersive, festival-like experience.
● Feature local food trucks: Food trucks and snack vendors are always a hit and give students more reasons to hang out between performances.
● Host giveaways and contests: Branded giveaways or social media challenges can boost student engagement and help with event promotion.
● Plan the flow: Schedule daytime events and vendors early in the day and end the evening with the main concert on your outdoor stage under the stars.
Whether you’ve been hosting Spring Fest for years or you’re launching a new campus tradition, it’s these small details that turn a concert into a true community celebration.
Whether you’re planning a small campus gathering or a large-scale festival, Degy Entertainment helps you design, book, and execute the perfect event.
From live music and DJ sets to interactive performers, Degy’s network of artists and production partners makes it easy to find the right talent and stage setup for your event and budget.
Our team has decades of experience helping universities plan Spring Fests, homecoming concerts, and student festivals that engage, inspire, and entertain.
Schedule a meeting with a Degy agent today to start brainstorming ideas and build a Spring Fest 2026 your campus won’t stop talking about.
Ideally, start at least 6–8 months before the event to secure talent, funding, and production vendors before competition heats up.
Most campuses feature live music, DJs, or comedians, but mixing in carnival games, food trucks, and interactive performances keeps the crowd engaged all day long.
Focus on variety. Include multiple artists, fun daytime events, and social media engagement opportunities. A well-balanced lineup and experience-based approach make your event memorable.
Degy Entertainment provides full-service support – from artist booking and production setup to budget planning and event execution – so you can focus on creating an unforgettable experience for your students.