Egress at Festivals: Smooth Departures for Guitars, Strollers, and Elders

After the final encore fades out and the lights come up, a festival’s job isn’t over – the way attendees exit the venue can make or break their lasting impression. Managing egress at a festival is an art and science, especially when your crowd spans guitar-toting musicians, parents with strollers, and elderly fans. A calm, safe departure ensures everyone heads home happy, capping the event on a high note. This guide shares veteran festival production wisdom on orchestrating smooth exits, with practical tips drawn from real-world successes (and a few instructive failures) across Americana and other music festivals worldwide.

Understanding the Egress Challenge

At Americana and folk festivals – often family-friendly events with multi-generational audiences – the end-of-day exit involves diverse needs. Younger fans might dart off energetically, while parents manoeuvre sleeping kids in strollers and older attendees move carefully through the crowds. Add musicians carrying guitars or gear, and egress becomes a balancing act of safety, accessibility, and efficiency. Every festival producer must plan for this critical phase:
– Crowd Mood: After hours of music and maybe alcohol, attendees could be tired or exuberant. A wrong move (like a sudden flood of bright lights or a bottleneck) can cause frustration or accidents.
– Mixed Mobility: You’ll have varying mobility levels – from children to seniors, and possibly wheelchair users. Egress routes must accommodate all, not just spry teenagers.
– Venue Constraints: Whether it’s an open farm field, an urban park, or a historic venue, each setting has pinch points and limitations. A sprawling rural festival like MerleFest (USA) needs shuttle buses to parking, whereas a city event like Cambridge Folk Festival (UK) might rely on foot traffic to public transport.
– Last Impressions: Psychologically, people remember the start and end of experiences vividly. A chaotic exit (long waits, confusion, or feeling unsafe) can taint an otherwise great festival day. Conversely, a well-managed, calm departure leaves attendees with goodwill – crucial for word-of-mouth and return attendance.

Staggering Finales to Avoid Mass Exodus

One key strategy is staggering the end times of performances and activities. Rather than letting all stages or attractions finish simultaneously, thoughtful scheduling can disperse the outgoing crowd:
– Offset Stage Closings: If you have multiple stages, don’t have every headliner end at 11:00 PM sharp. For example, at Glastonbury Festival (UK), the main Pyramid Stage headliner might finish, but smaller stages and late-night areas keep going, so not everyone leaves at once. This staggering effect allows groups to depart in waves instead of a single surge.
– Encore Timing: Coordinate with artists about encores. If two big stages end close together, consider having one act do a slightly extended encore or a finale spectacle (like a short fireworks display or a farewell address) while the other stage empties out. Some festivals plan a soft closing at secondary stages – e.g. a DJ set or acoustic jam – that runs 15–30 minutes later than the main stage. Attendees who want one last dance can stay, easing pressure on the exits for those who leave immediately.
– Multiple Exit Waves: Encourage a natural flow of exit “waves.” Family areas or kid-friendly zones could wrap up earlier in the evening, prompting those with young children to depart before the largest crowds. Meanwhile, younger adults might stay for a silent disco or after-party. By programming content for different sub-audiences with different end times, you facilitate a gradual egress.
– Communication of Schedule: Make sure the staggered schedule is communicated clearly. Use the festival app, printed programmes, and MC announcements to let people know what’s happening after the headliner. For example, “Stick around for a chill after-hours set at the campground stage until midnight” signals that fans don’t all need to rush out at once. Just be careful to balance this – you don’t want to force anyone to stay, but offering options helps spread departures over time.

Real-world example: Bluesfest Byron Bay in Australia, a multi-stage roots and Americana festival, often staggers its closing acts. While the main stage might finish with a legendary guitar act around 11 PM, a smaller tent stage continues with local artists for another half-hour. Many attendees wander there for a last song or simply to let traffic die down. This approach has reduced exit traffic jams and created a more relaxed end-of-night atmosphere, as reported by festival-goers.

Opening Auxiliary Exits and Routes

No matter how well you stagger times, thousands of people will still be leaving around the final curtain. That’s when auxiliary exits and well-planned routes become a lifesaver:
– Unlock More Gates: Don’t rely on the same gate everyone entered through. Identify secondary exits or emergency gates that can be safely opened when the main show is over. For instance, Coachella (USA) opens additional exit paths through the perimeter fencing after the last set, turning some vendor/service gates into public egress routes. This can double or triple your throughput and prevent chokepoints.
– One-Way Paths: Create dedicated one-way exit paths to avoid counterflow. If your festival is in a fenced area or stadium, designate certain corridors as exit-only after a time. WOMAD festival in the UK, for example, implemented one-way walking routes in its park venue: attendees leaving follow a looping path out, separate from any incoming or lingering traffic. Clear signage and barriers can enforce this flow, so people aren’t fighting against a tide.
– Family & Accessibility Exits: Consider having a special exit lane for families or those with mobility needs. A narrow, crowded gate is tough when pushing a stroller or wheelchair. Some events set up an “accessible exit” managed by staff – essentially a priority lane for elders, disabled attendees, or parents carrying children. MerleFest in North Carolina provides shuttles and golf carts near major exits to help elderly folks and handicapped attendees reach the parking areas, showing an extra level of care.
– Use the Surroundings: If the venue has multiple points to the outside world (like several street gates or sides of a field), open them all up. Engage local authorities if needed – maybe a back gate leads into a quiet side street where people can disperse to parking or pickups. At Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow (mostly indoors, but during their open-air finale), organisers have used both the main entrance and a rear service gate to empty the venue in half the time.
– Lighting on Routes: As you open these extra routes, light them gently but clearly (more on lighting in the next section). It’s not enough to unlock a gate; attendees need to see where it leads – whether to a sidewalk, parking lot, or field path. Ensure these paths are free of obstructions (no parked production vehicles or leftover fencing clutter) and safe (fill any holes, tape down cables, add matting on muddy ground if needed).

Gentle Lighting and Clear Wayfinding

Imagine you’ve been in a dark field enjoying a show; suddenly floodlights blind you – that’s not a pleasant exit. Instead, aim for gentle lighting that guides people without jarring them:
– Gradual Brightening: When the concert ends, bring lights up slowly. Many festivals use a warm ambient glow that increases over a few minutes, rather than an instant blast of white light. For example, Newport Folk Festival (USA) brings up stage floodlights to a moderate level and turns on string lights along paths, maintaining the festival’s cosy vibe while signaling that it’s time to head out. This helps people adjust and start moving calmly.
– Illuminated Pathways: The routes leading out – whether festival walkways, campgrounds, or parking field paths – should be clearly illuminated. Use tower lights, LED rope lights, or even creative lanterns to mark the way. Importantly, keep lights pointed at the ground or paths (where people walk) rather than at eye level. Attendees appreciate being able to see terrain (avoiding rocks, curbs, cables) without feeling like they’re under interrogation lamps.
– Signage and Directions: Pair lighting with signage: high-visibility exit signs, arrows, and maybe staff holding LED wands. In many Asian festivals, staff stand at trail forks with lit batons to direct crowds. In Japan’s Fuji Rock Festival, crews famously line the exit routes with volunteers holding bilingual signs and offering polite directions, ensuring even first-timers find their way easily. The combination of soft lighting and friendly human signposts creates an orderly flow instead of a confused mass.
– Keep It Gentle: While you want bright routes, avoid harsh strobing lights or extremely loud closing announcements that could startle or annoy people. The goal is a calming atmosphere. Playing mellow music over the PA post-show can also influence mood – some festivals play down-tempo, happy tunes as background during exit (e.g. classic folk songs or local favourites at an Americana festival) to keep spirits good. Lighting and sound together can either amp up anxiety or soothe it, so choose the latter.
– Emergency Lighting Ready: On the safety side, ensure backup lighting is ready in case of a power loss. Battery-operated LED lights or generator-backed systems should kick in so exits are never plunged into darkness. Attendees include elders who may panic or stumble if it’s dark suddenly. A well-lit exit path is fundamental to risk management – it helps prevent trips and falls and lets security spot any issues in the crowd.

Minimising Cross-Flows: Pause Bars and Vendors

Crowd flow experts often warn about cross-traffic – when some people move opposite to the main flow, causing turbulence. At closing time, one major source of cross-flow is last-minute bar or food runs. Picture this: most attendees are streaming toward the exits, but a bunch are trying to push the other way to grab one final beer or snack. To avoid this:
– Pause Alcohol Sales Near Exits: In the final 15-30 minutes, temporarily pause service at bars and vendors positioned along exit routes. Many large festivals implement a “last call” well before the final act ends. For example, Exit Festival in Serbia halts beer sales at stands by the main exit gate around the headline act’s encore, resuming only after the rush. This prevents a knot of people around the bar right when the crowd around them is attempting to leave.
– Close or Relocate Vendors: If a food truck or merch stall is directly in the egress path, consider closing it at peak exit or moving it further inside so it doesn’t create a choke point. It’s better to lose 20 minutes of sales than to create a dangerous congestion point. Some events have vendors close shop exactly at show end and then reopen outside the exit (for example, a coffee cart might set up in the parking lot to serve departing guests without blocking the gate).
– Announce Last Call: Use signage and announcements to clearly communicate when bars are closing. Attendees then know to get their final refreshments earlier. A polite announcement like “Last call for the front beer garden – closing in 10 minutes” can help. This reduces complaints and the impulse for a mad dash against the exit stream.
– Coordinate with Security: Ensure security and staff around those concessions are aware of the plan. If someone still tries to surge in against traffic for the bar, staff can politely redirect them or at least ensure they don’t cause a crush. Bright fencing or ropes can section off closed vendor queues so they don’t become accidental shortcuts causing head-on collisions with exiting crowds.
– Post-Exit Refreshments: As an alternative approach, some festivals set up water stations or even free tea/coffee at the exits once the show ends. This encourages people to leave and get their refreshment on the way out, rather than turning back in. It’s a nice gesture that both thanks attendees and keeps them moving outward. Green Man Festival in Wales, for instance, is known to hand out free water and lollipops at the exit gates – a small touch that delights people and guides them to keep walking toward their transport.

Keeping Attendees Informed: Last Trains and Transport

For festivals integrated with public transport schedules, nothing is worse than thousands of attendees discovering they’ve missed the last train or bus home. Proactively inform and assist your crowd with transit options:
– Live Transit Updates: Display the times of last trains, buses, or shuttle departures prominently. This could be on large LCD screens near exits, on notice boards, and definitely in the festival’s mobile app. Many city festivals do this; for example, Lollapalooza in Chicago uses video screens to show CTA (train) schedules and reminds fans to catch the last train from downtown. Attendees at Osheaga in Montreal are similarly warned of the last metro times so they can head to the station on time. Being transparent about the clock helps those on the fence decide when to leave (www.journaldemontreal.com).
– App Notifications: If your ticketing or festival app (such as the Ticket Fairy app) can send push notifications, use it. A message like “? The final train to London departs in 45 minutes” or “? Last shuttle to campground leaves at midnight from Gate 2” is invaluable. Even those engrossed in the encore will appreciate the heads-up. Modern event platforms often integrate these communication tools to keep the audience informed in real time.
– Announce via MC or Screens: Have the stage MC or big screens announce transit info between acts or just after the finale. A friendly voice saying, “Thanks for coming! If you’re heading back to the city, note the last train at 11:30 PM. Good night!” can spur people to move with purpose. It’s much better than leaving them clueless or having a sudden panic when they realize the station’s closed.
– Coordinate with Transport Authorities: As part of community engagement and public safety, festival organisers should work closely with local transit providers. If possible, arrange extended service or extra late-night buses. Many large festivals do this: The team behind Glastonbury liaises with train and bus companies to add early Monday morning departures for the massive post-festival exodus. If adding services isn’t feasible, at least coordinate pickup zones for rideshares and taxis, and broadcast those options. Clear signage like “Uber/Taxi Pickup this way” helps disperse crowds toward their rides instead of milling about.
– Remind About Car Parks: If the event is rural with car parking, remind drivers to take it slow exiting and note any road closures or one-way traffic schemes. Use traffic marshals and info signs. Some American festivals put traffic info on local radio or their app (e.g., Bonnaroo radio broadcasts on-site travel advisories to departing cars). Long queues in the parking lot can be the last frustration, so anything to expedite that – stagger which lots release first, traffic control at exits – ties into the overall positive egress experience.

Case in point: After a big concert at Montreal’s Parc Jean-Drapeau, lack of coordination led to metros closing while thousands still waited to leave, resulting in three-hour delays and bitter attendees (www.journaldemontreal.com). Learning from such failures, savvy festival producers in cities share transit timings widely and even lobby for extended hours. Conversely, events like Tomorrowland in Belgium partner with rail companies to run special late-night trains for fans. They promote this in advance and on-site, so festival-goers seamlessly transition from venue to transport. The difference in attendee satisfaction is enormous when they feel the festival helped get them home safely.

Staffing Key Pinch Points with Helpers

Even with great planning, large crowds need guidance. Strategically stationing staff or volunteers at critical points during exit can maintain order and provide reassurance:
– High-Visibility Staff: Ensure your egress crew is easy to spot – bright vests, flags, or LED batons. When thousands are on the move, an attendee in distress or a confused family will gravitate to anyone clearly “official.” Trained staff at junctions (like where paths fork or before a narrow gate) can actively direct traffic: “Keep moving, this way to exit,” or “Parking to the left, shuttles to the right.” For example, Oxfam volunteers at UK festivals like Glastonbury often help direct people through campsites and gates (festivals.oxfam.org.uk), using their friendly demeanour to manage flows.
– Pinch-Point Monitors: Identify where bottlenecks could occur – perhaps a bridge, a stairwell, or a gate that isn’t as wide as the path feeding it. Position a few stewards there well before the rush. Their role is to regulate the flow (maybe temporarily holding people back if it’s overcrowding ahead, or re-routing if one exit gets too congested) and to assist anyone who needs help. A calm, authoritative person at a choke point can prevent pushing and panic by controlling the tempo of the crowd’s movement.
– Elderly and Family Assistance: Dedicate some staff specifically to assist elders and families. Something as simple as offering to help carry a stroller over a curb, or giving grandparents a heads-up about a shorter walking route, goes a long way. At many family-oriented festivals – think Philadelphia Folk Festival or Woodford Folk Festival in Australia – organisers deploy “courtesy crews” at exits. These volunteers might hand out water, but also keep an eye out for anyone struggling. They can radio for a golf cart for someone who can’t make the walk, or ensure small kids don’t get lost in the shuffle.
– Training and Briefing: It’s crucial that all event staff are briefed on the egress plan. Before the festival day, have a meeting to cover the exit strategy: which exits will open, any staggered timing, how to communicate with guests, and what to do in case of hold-ups. Empower staff to be proactive and empathetic – they should be approachable so attendees feel comfortable asking, “Is this the right way to the south parking lot?” A well-informed crew visible at every key turn creates a sense of safety.
– Crowd Monitoring: Equip your egress team with communication tools. Two-way radios and a central command post allow real-time updates: if one exit route starts clogging, a supervisor can decide to open an extra gate or send more staff to that area. In some big festivals, CCTV or drones monitor crowd density during exit, feeding data to the ops team. While attendees won’t see that technology, they will feel the benefits when staff quickly adjust to any developing jam. For instance, the producers of Tomorrowland use a control centre to spot crowd bunching and immediately dispatch more stewards or announce alternative routes, preventing incidents before they escalate.

Accessibility and Comfort for All Ages

A hallmark of many Americana and folk festivals is that they foster an inclusive atmosphere for young and old alike. Egress planning should reflect that inclusivity:
– Elder Zones or Waiting Areas: Not everyone can speed-walk to the parking lot. Consider setting up a rest area near the exit for those who might need a breather – a bench or two, maybe staffed with a medic or volunteer. After standing for hours, some older guests appreciate a moment to sit before continuing to the exit or transport queue. California’s Stagecoach Festival (a country/Americana event) has been praised for its elder-friendly approach – they station seating and golf cart shuttles at exit gates, so elderly attendees and those with disabilities can comfortably await a ride rather than being jostled in the crowd.
– Stroller Lanes: If feasible, create a marked lane for families with strollers. This could be along one edge of the exit route, separated by cones or rope. It gives parents a bit more space and avoids stroller wheels tangling with everyone’s feet. Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Festival (though not strictly a music fest, it draws families in droves) implemented a “family exit lane” one year – essentially coning off one side of a broad exit road for parents with kids. It resulted in far fewer falls or delays, as reported in their post-event review.
– Wheelchair Access: Check that all exit routes are wheelchair accessible or have an alternative. A route with stairs or a ditch won’t work – have a clearly indicated alternate path for wheelchairs, with staff to guide users through it. Larger festivals often make the main exit wheelchair accessible knowing that’s the safest bet for everyone. If your venue has only one accessible egress (e.g., a ramp), manage the flow so there’s no dangerous crush at that ramp – possibly hold back the crowd briefly to let wheelchair users and slow walkers go first safely.
– Medical and Hydration Support: Egress can be a physical strain, especially on a hot day or after alcohol consumption. Station medical staff near exits and consider water distribution. Something as simple as handing out water bottles or having water jugs available can prevent dehydration issues among those stuck in a long exit line or walking a distance to transport. At Burning Man (Nevada, USA), the Exodus volunteers roam the long car lines offering water refills and even snacks, recognizing that the journey home starts on site. You don’t want anyone collapsing at the finish line of your event.
– Communication for Special Groups: If you have a significant number of attendees with special needs (elderly, families, disabled), tailor communications to them as well. Maybe send a push notification through the app saying “Families with young children: consider using the West Gate exit by the Kids’ Zone for an easier route to Family Parking.” Or have signs with a universal stroller symbol guiding to an accessible route. By acknowledging these groups in your egress planning, you make them feel welcomed and looked after – which boosts overall satisfaction and your festival’s reputation for hospitality.

Calm Departures: Ending on a High Note

The end of the festival day is your last opportunity to impress (or disappoint) your audience. Aim to end on a high note with a departure that feels safe, organized, and even celebratory:
– Positive Atmosphere: Train your staff to be positive and courteous during egress. Simple things like staff smiling, saying “Thank you for coming!” or “Good night, safe travels!” add warmth. Some festivals, especially community-oriented ones, make the exit feel like a farewell procession – crew members high-five attendees or give out small goodies (stickers, sweets, souvenirs). This might not be practical for very large crowds, but the principle stands: treat people as guests up to the very end.
– Post-Event Engagement: Use your sound system or video screens to your advantage. Playing a highlights reel of the day’s performances or a thank-you message from the festival organisers can entertain people as they file out slowly. At Montreal Jazz Festival, big screens by the gates show clips of the day’s best moments and a “Merci, See You Tomorrow!” message, which keeps folks in good spirits even if there’s a short wait to exit. Gentle background music (as mentioned earlier) can also set a calm mood.
– Phased Power-Down: Avoid the jarring feeling of a sudden shutdown. Instead of cutting all the fun at once, consider leaving some festival elements running just a bit longer. That could be keeping the market area open for 30 minutes after the last show, so not everyone rushes out (and those who want to browse merch or grab a final bite can do so while the crowd thins). Or simply keep festoon lights and art installations on so people linger and take photos rather than all pushing out the gate at once. A famous example is Electric Picnic in Ireland, where art areas remain lit and accessible for an hour post-music, which naturally staggers departures.
– Learning from Emergency Evacs: A calm egress is also the best preparation for emergencies. If you’ve drilled on how to get people out quietly and efficiently in normal times, you’re better equipped should a sudden evacuation be needed. Emphasize calm in all scenarios. If something like weather forces an early end, the same principles apply – many producers have noted that if staff stay calm and use clear instructions, the crowd mirrors that behavior. The excellent handling of an evacuation at Roskilde Festival (Denmark) during a storm was credited to the crew’s steady guidance and pre-planned exit routes, turning a potentially scary moment into an orderly exit with no injuries.
– Post-Festival Transport Hubs: Finally, remember that the departure experience continues until the attendee is truly on their way home. Work with local police or transit officials to manage the after-festival crowd at train stations, parking lots, or taxi stands. If there’s a huge line at the train station, maybe have festival volunteers out there handing water or simply providing information (“Platform 2 for downtown, keep left for taxis, etc.”). When Singapore’s F1 Night Race ends each night, for instance, event volunteers are posted all along the nearby metro stations and streets to guide the 80,000+ exiting attendees back into the city smoothly. Even though that’s a sports event, the principle carries to festivals: your responsibility doesn’t end at the gate.

By orchestrating a calm, well-informed departure, you ensure that festival-goers leave with their hearts full of music and joy – not stress. They’ll remember that the festival organisers cared about their safety and comfort right up to the goodbye. And in the festival business, a happy departing crowd often means a returning crowd next year.

Key Takeaways for Successful Festival Egress

• Stagger End Times: Avoid a massive single exit wave by offsetting stage curfews and offering post-headliner activities. This disperses the crowd naturally and reduces bottlenecks.
• Use All Exits: Open auxiliary gates and create one-way exit routes. More exits = faster, safer egress. Provide special lanes or assistance for families with strollers, wheelchair users, and elderly attendees.
• Lighting & Signage: Gently increase lighting and clearly illuminate all exit paths without blinding attendees. Combine this with plenty of signs and staff directions so everyone knows where to go.
• Prevent Cross-Flow: Close or pause bars and vendors near exits during the peak exit period to stop people moving against the outgoing crowd. Announce last calls early to guide behavior.
• Communicate Transit Info: Proactively inform attendees of last train/bus times and other transport options via screens, announcements, and app notifications. Coordinate with transport services to accommodate festival timings whenever possible.
• Deploy Staff Wisely: Station visible, trained staff or volunteers at key points (gates, chokepoints, transport loading areas) to guide the crowd, assist those in need, and respond to any issues in real time.
• Accessibility Matters: Make sure egress plans account for the less mobile – provide shuttles, rest areas, and separate lanes if needed so that everyone from toddlers to seniors can depart comfortably.
• End on a Positive Note: Treat the exit as part of the show – maintain a friendly atmosphere with music, messages, and hospitality. A calm, caring departure experience leaves attendees with a great final memory, ensuring they leave eager to return for the next festival.

With thoughtful egress planning, even an audience of guitars, strollers, and elders will exit stage left in good order. The quiet success of a smooth departure is the mark of a truly professional festival production – one that values attendee safety and satisfaction from entry to exit. Calm departures end the day right, sending everyone home with a smile and a story about how well-organised and welcoming your festival was to the very last moment.