For years, event entertainment followed a familiar script: a band, a DJ, maybe a photo booth. But today\u2019s audiences expect more, including interactivity, personalization, and emotional connection. The most successful events now blur the line between entertainment and engagement, giving guests not just something to watch but something to do, feel, and remember.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTraditional passive sessions are falling out of favor,\u201d explains <\/span>Lee Dyson<\/a><\/span>, owner of <\/span>Hey Mister DJ<\/a><\/span> in Los Angeles. \u201cConferences are shifting toward participatory formats. \u2026 Whether it\u2019s aligning sessions to broader brand narratives or embedding live cultural acts, attendees want purpose and memorable storytelling in every element.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n That sentiment runs through the current wave of entertainment trends. Guests are gravitating toward experiences that make them feel part of the moment, through tactile creativity, wellness-driven connection, or closer access to the talent they admire. Below, industry experts share what\u2019s hot right now\u2014and why these ideas are resonating.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cToday\u2019s audiences are overwhelmed by screens, stress, and uncertainty,\u201d says <\/span>Emma DiGiammarino<\/a><\/span>, a San Diego-based senior creative strategist at creative agency <\/span>XD Agency<\/a><\/span>. \u201cThey\u2019re looking for experiences that <\/span>restore<\/span><\/span> rather than just distract. This is reshaping how people gather, engage, and connect.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Related:<\/span>Event Personalization Moments That Really Worked<\/a><\/p>\n From pottery wheels and latte art stations to sensory scrapbooking and intricate beading bars, tactile activations offer what DiGiammarino describes as \u201ca quiet rebellion against digital overload.\u201d \u201cGuests are seeking moments to slow down and make something real,\u201d she adds. \u201cThese activations give people a rare chance to unplug, focus, and walk away with something they created.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n To mark the launch of her new line at Michaels, Martha Stewart hosted a colorful, interactive paint party. Guests were invited to grab paint brushes from window boxes, then go to work painting everything inside the house\u2014including rugs, couches, lampshades, duvet covers, nightstands, and more. <\/sup><\/span>Photo: Susie Montagna<\/sup><\/span> Silent discos are back\u2014and Dyson points to shorter attention spans as one reason: \u201cDue to apps like TikTok, the human attention span has officially dropped to less than a goldfish,\u201d he says. \u201cIt’s getting harder and harder for DJs to capture and hold people’s attentions. <\/span>Silent Disco<\/a><\/span> provides three different music\/DJ channels, so the odds of retaining a dance floor and room interest is significantly increased.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Related:<\/span>7 Important Tips for Working with Event DJs<\/a><\/p>\n Jo Rivera-Fyler<\/a><\/span>, director of catering for the luxury <\/span>Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas<\/a><\/span>, agrees. \u201cSilent discos are a request we\u2019re seeing more often, especially for parties on our terrace. Guests love that they can keep the energy up without disturbing anyone, and it is always hilarious to watch a whole group dancing together in headphones.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n At the annual Governors Ball music festival, held in Queens in June, sponsor 400 Conejos\u2019 silent disco activation served as an after-hours escape. <\/sup><\/span>Photo: Courtesy of Live Nation<\/sup><\/span> Interactive, spontaneous, and just plain fun, karaoke is also having a renaissance at events, Dyson adds. \u201c<\/span>Karaoke<\/a><\/span> breaks down walls, gets people laughing, and turns the crowd from passive listeners into active participants,\u201d he says. \u201cSuddenly the CEO is singing Bon Jovi, or the bridal party is belting out a boy-band anthem\u2014and everyone in the room is connected through the moment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He adds, \u201cIn a world that feels intense and overwhelming, people are seeking more joy and authenticity in their social experiences. Karaoke gives permission to let go, be silly, and share in the fun together.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Entertainment is increasingly blending with wellness programming. \u201cNetworking is moving beyond stiff small talk,\u201d says DiGiammarino. \u201cFrom morning walks\/runs to cold plunges, meditation lounges, line dancing, and outdoor games like ping-pong and cornhole, movement is becoming a catalyst for authentic connection. These moments reset the mind, spark joy, and create bonds that feel effortless and real.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n At <\/sup><\/span>Baha Mar<\/a><\/span> in Nassau, guests can up their balancing game by participating in Flamingo Yoga. The flamingos apparently love the feel and texture of the yoga mats and like to join in. <\/sup><\/span>Photo: Courtesy of Baha Mar<\/sup><\/span> Interactive competitions with a dose of nostalgia are also trending. \u201cOur <\/span>Game Show Experience<\/a><\/span> has been crushing it ever since we came back to live events,\u201d points out Dyson. \u201cClients love a competitive or bonding activity but are always looking for \u2018something new.\u2019 Many of the games parody some classic TV shows everyone knows and loves, so there\u2019s a nostalgia factor. And because they\u2019re customizable, clients can bring in a sponsor and do custom trivia questions that reinforce a brand or reward attendees for attention and retention during a general session or keynote speaker.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Personalized keepsakes are simple but powerful. \u201cI am a big believer that the little touches go a long way,\u201d says Rivera-Fyler. \u201cWe\u2019ve had specialists engrave wine glasses with each guest\u2019s name during an event, and people get such a kick out of it. It is simple, but it feels really special and thoughtful.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Event calligrapher <\/span>Alex Hirsch<\/a><\/span>, owner of <\/span>Signs of Our Lives<\/a><\/span> in San Diego, has noticed that live engraving and heat foiling have skyrocketed in demand. \u201cThe appeal isn\u2019t just the final keepsake\u2014it\u2019s the magic of watching it come to life right in front of you,” she says. “And beyond just a personalized gifting experience, brands are realizing that guests don\u2019t just want something with their name on it; they want something that feels designed for them, tied to the event\u2019s energy and the brand\u2019s story.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “Custom engraving on a gold compact mirror or live heat foiling on leather passport holders resonates so much more than another generic tote bag,\u201d adds Hirsch. \u201cIt\u2019s art in motion, it\u2019s personal, and it creates a moment that people actually remember and talk about long after the event ends.\u201d <\/sup><\/span>Photo: Courtesy of Signs of Our Lives<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n Live artists are part of this movement too. \u201cRight now, everyone wants something that feels interactive and Instagrammable,\u201d adds Rivera-Fyler. \u201cAt a baby shower we hosted in May, the planner brought in [fashion illustrator] <\/span>Cristina Tudor<\/a><\/span> to sketch guests in real time. People loved watching their portraits come to life, and they left with a keepsake that felt really personal and so fun to share.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Many planners are tapping into local culture to ground events in place. \u201cAs planners, we have an opportunity (and responsibility) to deepen our guests\u2019 connection to the city they\u2019re visiting,\u201d says <\/span>Kimberly Hoffman<\/a><\/span>, vice president of strategy and experience for <\/span>Accent Indy, a DMC Network Company<\/a><\/span>. \u201cIn Indianapolis, this often means leaning into sports-themed activations or experiences, INDYCAR racing, and art\/music. A few of our favorites right now? AI trading cards, multistation teambuilding on our NFL field, and Indy’s own Trap Orchestra.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c[Think through] options to satisfy all personalities. A large dance band for extroverts, a DIY flower crown station for creatives, a wellness lounge for those who want to decompress\u2014these things can all work together at the same event. It ensures every guest feels like something was selected just for them.\u201d \u2014Kimberly Hoffman<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Talent-driven entertainment has become a key request for many brands. \u201cRecently, the strongest driver of client entertainment requests has been talent\u2014to bring audiences closer to the people they admire,\u201d explains <\/span>Josh Tierney<\/a><\/span>, the New York-based chief creative officer for creative marketing agency <\/span>BMF<\/a><\/span>. From private concerts with Broadway casts to DJ sets by Paris Hilton or meet-and-greets with TikTok creators, \u201cthese experiences don\u2019t just live in the room; they live on through social content and earned media, making them a win-win for both consumers and brands.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n And in the age of creator marketing, Tierney adds, \u201ctalent\u201d extends beyond celebrities. \u201cPerformers, artists, and cultural creators can provide immersive, wildly creative, and narratively rich entertainment that gives brand experiences a human heartbeat. A beautiful event can feel hollow without connection\u2014talent is what makes it resonate long after the night is over.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Mystical experiences are getting a modern refresh. \u201cAncient rituals are back, reimagined for today,\u201d points out DiGiammarino, noting that tarot, astrology, coffee fortune-telling, and even AI-powered digital horoscopes are showing up at events. \u201cThese touchpoints bring wonder and a sense of control, letting people pause, reflect, and connect with themselves and others in unexpected ways.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Fashion house Viktor & Rolf celebrated its fragrance Good Fortune with a mystical and spiritual dinner party to help attendees manifest new goals and set meaningful intentions. Throughout the evening, guests could draw cards with a tarot reader. <\/sup><\/span>Photo: Wade Muir Photography<\/sup><\/span> AI-powered novelty is creeping into entertainment in surprising ways. \u201cWe\u2019ve been seeing a big uptick in requests for food-focused \u2018surprise and delight\u2019 moments that incorporate AI,\u201d says <\/span>Caroline Cole<\/a><\/span>, a Nashville-based account manager at experiential agency <\/span>MAS<\/a><\/span>. \u201cGuests love the interactive element of watching AI ‘decide’ what cocktail or sweet treat suits them best. It adds both novelty and memorability to the experience. It\u2019s a trend that taps into personalization while still sparking curiosity and play.”<\/span><\/p>\n Photo ops have long been an event staple, but they\u2019re evolving fast. \u201cClients are asking me for interactive installations like slow-motion video booths, 360-degree capture, and augmented-reality features,\u201d says <\/span>John Austen<\/a><\/span>, founder and director of <\/span>Booths By Lux<\/a><\/span> in London. \u201cThey want experiences that feel more engaging and immersive, rather than traditional staged photography. These activations give guests a chance to create content that feels personal while still being highly shareable.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n “In a world that feels intense and overwhelming, people are seeking more joy and authenticity in their social experiences.” \u2014Lee Dyson<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n The entertainment can start before the event even begins. \u201cWe\u2019ve been getting more requests for unique and personalized invitations or event teasers,\u201d says <\/span>Antonia Swenson<\/a><\/span>, the Chicago-based new business coordinator at <\/span>MAS<\/a><\/span>. \u201cIn the attention economy that we live in, brands not only have to stand out from the noise to hold consumers’ attention, but also want to stay top of mind for these consumers for as long as possible\u2014including pre, during, and post-event.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Across all of these trends, a common thread stands out: interactivity. As <\/span>Valerie Bihet<\/a><\/span>, founder of <\/span>VIBE Agency<\/a><\/span> in Miami, puts it: \u201cPeople don\u2019t just want someone to sing on stage for them. They want to interact in the space and be part of the entertainment. They want more goosebumps and laughs and surprises,\u201d she says. \u201cPeople feel more connection and belonging if they are part of it than just bystanders.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n For DiGiammarino, <\/span>that\u2019s<\/span><\/span> the real opportunity for event hosts: \u201cBy designing experiences that soothe digital fatigue, create rituals of meaning, and foster movement and connection, brands can deliver what people need most: hope, joy, and a moment to truly feel alive again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n1. Hands-on creativity<\/span><\/h2>\n
See more: <\/sup><\/span>Trend Spotted: Turning Guests Into Artists<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n2. Silent disco<\/span><\/h2>\n
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See more: <\/sup><\/span>Gov Ball 2025: 25+ Eye-Catching Brand Activations From the NYC Music Festival<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n3. Karaoke<\/span><\/h2>\n
4. Wellness-driven connection<\/span><\/h2>\n
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See more: <\/sup><\/span>8 Unique & Unconventional Wellness Activities for Corporate Groups<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n5. Gamification<\/span><\/h2>\n
6. Live personalization<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n7. Destination-authentic entertainment<\/span><\/h2>\n
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8. Closer access to talent<\/span><\/h2>\n
9. Modern mysticism<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Screenshot_2025-09-12_at_2.56.23_PM.png\"](\"https:\/\/eu-images.contentstack.com\/v3\/assets\/blt725d5e066dc2264b\/bltca0609c04429c7f1\/68c4971682b0dd42ce1940d8\/Screenshot_2025-09-12_at_2.56.23_PM.png?width=NaN&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale\" "\\"Screenshot_2025-09-12_at_2.56.23_PM.png\\"\/")
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See more: <\/sup><\/span>10 Astrology Activations We Love to Inspire Your Next Event<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n10. Tech-forward surprise and delight<\/span><\/h2>\n
11. Next-gen photo booths<\/span><\/h2>\n
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12. Creative pre-event communications<\/span><\/h2>\n