Planning events for young adults can be both exciting and challenging. This demographic craves experiences that are engaging, unique, and shareable. Whether you’re hosting a corporate gathering, a community festival, or a student event, adding fringe activities can elevate the experience and keep attendees buzzing with excitement.
Event fringe activities are essentially side attractions or event add-ons designed to engage and entertain attendees. These activities are perfect for creating memorable moments, fostering interaction, and ensuring people stick around for longer. The best part? They can be tailored to any theme or vibe.
Below, we’ve compiled 12 vibrant fringe activity ideas sure to captivate young adults and give your event that extra flair.
1. Silent Disco Party
Ever watched a crowd silently dance to different beats? Silent discos are a quirky and immersive experience where attendees wear wireless headphones and choose between curated playlists or DJ sets. It’s perfect for breaking the ice and ensures there’s music for every taste while keeping the main event noise level under control.
Why they’ll love it:
- Individual control of music preferences.
- Creates sharable and fun candid videos.
- A great mix of personal and group experiences.
2. VR Gaming Booths
Virtual reality (VR) setups are a fantastic way to draw attendees into a futuristic world. From thrilling rollercoaster rides to multiplayer games, VR gaming booths provide an immersive and tech-driven experience that young adults absolutely adore.
Why they’ll love it:
- Unique and state-of-the-art technology.
- Interactive and highly engaging activity.
- Perfect photo opportunities wearing the headset.
3. Mixology Workshops
For events that allow alcohol, mixology sessions can be the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Participants can learn how to mix their favorite cocktails, discover new flavor combinations, and enjoy their creations.
Why they’ll love it:
- Hands-on and creative.
- Gains a cool, practical skill for future hangouts.
- Instagram-worthy drink creations.
4. Glow-in-the-Dark Painting
Glow-in-the-dark painting combines creativity with a bit of a rave-like vibe. Set up an art space where attendees can paint canvases under UV light or add glow makeup and designs to their faces.
Why they’ll love it:
- Artistic expression paired with neon aesthetics.
- Light-hearted and social.
- Results in frame-worthy art or selfies.
5. Escape Room Challenges
Pop-up escape rooms are excellent for group bonding and mental stimulation. Create a themed experience where squads work together to solve puzzles and unlock mysteries within a set time.
Why they’ll love it:
- Collaborative and highly engaging.
- Satisfies the Netflix-generation’s love for mystery adventures.
- Great as a team activity with prizes for the winners.
6. Digital Caricature Station
Caricature sessions are a timeless event feature, but a digital spin makes them even cooler. Skilled digital artists can create personalized, caricature-style portraits in minutes, saving these fun artworks onto phones instantly.
Why they’ll love it:
- Personalized keepsake on their devices.
- Quick and amusing to watch the process live.
- Social media-worthy content.
7. DIY Terrarium Station
Bring a calming, eco-friendly touch to your event with a terrarium-making station. Attendees can create their own miniature indoor gardens using succulents, moss, and decorative accessories.
Why they’ll love it:
- Combines hands-on fun with sustainability.
- Leaves with a cute decor piece for their room or workspace.
- Encourages mindfulness in a fast-paced world.
8. Stand-Up Comedy Sets
Inject some humor into the event with live stand-up comedy performances. Curate a lineup of diverse, relatable comedians who cater to younger audiences with witty, fresh, and culturally relevant material.
Why they’ll love it:
- Shared laughs create instant bonding.
- A fantastic break from more active or interactive activities.
- Lively, memorable moments.
9. Polaroid Photobooths
Vintage Polaroid-style photo booths have a charm that never goes out of style. Set up themed props and backdrops for attendees to snap instant photos they can take with them as souvenirs.
Why they’ll love it:
- Physical photo keepsakes remain charming.
- Perfect for couples or friends attending together.
- Easy to integrate with event themes.
10. Wellness Activities Corner
For more relaxed or eclectic events, setting up a wellness corner can be a brilliant touch. You can offer yoga sessions, guided meditations, mini aromatherapy workshops, or even chair massages.
Why they’ll love it:
- Encourages a balance between excitement and relaxation.
- Perfect for escaping the crowd momentarily.
- Enhances emotional connection with self-care themes.
11. Food Truck Alley
Where there’s food, there’s a happy crowd. Set up a lane filled with diverse food trucks offering loaded fries, Korean corn dogs, gourmet ice cream, craft mocktails, or other trendy eats.
Why they’ll love it:
- Explore unique food cultures in one spot.
- Trendy and highly Instagrammable dishes.
- Perfect for after-party cravings or mid-event bites.
12. Augmented Reality (AR) Treasure Hunt
Organize an interactive AR treasure hunt for adventurous young adults. With smartphones, participants can scan QR codes or uncover clues within the venue to reveal hidden treasures.
Why they’ll love it:
- Fun way to engage with different areas of your event.
- Highly interactive, team-friendly activity.
- The thrill of “achieving” and winning prizes.
Create an Unforgettable Experience
Adding fringe activities to any event for young adults is about blending the right amount of fun, engagement, and novelty. Go beyond traditional setups and weave in these experiences to craft a truly unforgettable event—one that attendees will rave about for months to come.
When planning your next gathering, pick a mix of activities that reflects the theme of the event while catering to the preferences of this energetic and diverse demographic. Event success lies in creating activities that draw people in, encourage organic sharing, and foster connections.
Looking to take your event to the next level? Collaborate with event planners or local activity vendors such as Fun Print to bring these unique fringe ideas to life. Start creating an event where young adults won’t just attend but actively participate and leave with incredible memories.
