The Comeback Plan: Relaunching a Festival After a Hiatus or Setback

Reviving a festival after an unexpected hiatus – whether due to a pandemic, financial hurdles, or other disruptions – is a challenging but attainable goal. Many iconic festivals have faced pauses and bounced back even stronger. By carefully planning your comeback, re-engaging your community, and addressing past issues head-on, a festival organiser can turn a setback into a success story. This guide provides a step-by-step comeback plan, filled with real-world examples of festivals worldwide that overcame adversity to thrive again.

Assess the Hiatus and Learn the Lessons

Every comeback starts with understanding the past. Before relaunching, festival producers should take a hard look at why the festival paused in the first place:

• Identify the Cause: Was it a global crisis like COVID-19, a budget shortfall, a safety incident, or something else? Pinpoint the causes and be honest about them.
• Gather Feedback: Talk to stakeholders – attendees, staff, artists, sponsors, and the local community. Solicit feedback about what worked and what didn’t in previous editions. If the hiatus was due to a negative incident, understand public perceptions that need to be addressed.
• Reflect on Past Editions: Review attendee surveys, social media comments, and press coverage from before the hiatus. Identify recurring complaints or issues (e.g. long queues, inadequate facilities, lineup choices) that can be improved upon.
• Learn from Others: Look at other festivals that faced setbacks. For example, after severe weather forced Belgium’s Pukkelpop to cancel mid-event in 2011, organisers came back the next year with improved emergency weather protocols and infrastructure – showing fans they took the incident seriously. Learning how others handled adversity can inform your own strategy.

By fully absorbing the lessons of the hiatus, you’ll be prepared to relaunch with improvements that prevent history from repeating itself.

Rebuild Your Team and Vision

A successful revival often requires a refreshed vision and team:

• Leadership and Staffing: Ensure you have the right people on board. If key team members left during the break, recruit experienced event professionals who share the festival’s vision. Many festivals bring in new expertise after a setback – for instance, Malawi’s Lake of Stars festival appointed a new director before its return after a four-year gap (mwnation.com).
• Clarify Your Mission: Re-establish what makes your festival unique. Has the core mission changed or evolved? If the break gave you new perspective (such as focusing more on local arts, sustainability, or diversity), integrate that into the comeback plan.
• Scale and Scope: Decide if you will return at the same scale or adjust. In some cases a smaller, well-executed event is better for regaining trust than an over-ambitious one. Glastonbury Festival uses intentional “fallow years” to recharge – when it returns, it often introduces site improvements or programming changes that elevate the experience. Similarly, consider the hiatus an opportunity to evolve the festival’s format or theme if needed, rather than simply replicating the old model (www.ticketfairy.com).
• Partner Up: If finances or operational capacity were an issue, partnering with seasoned producers or organisations can bolster your comeback. For example, Singapore’s dance music festival ZoukOut teamed up with global festival producer AEG for its return after a three-year hiatus, enabling a larger production and fresh creative input (mixmag.asia).

Rebuilding with the right vision and team sets a strong foundation. It shows stakeholders that the festival is not just resuming as is, but coming back thoughtfully, with improvements and possibly a new outlook for the future.

Re-Engage Your Audience and Community

Your past attendees are your festival’s biggest champions. After a hiatus, it’s critical to reignite their excitement and trust:

• Announce with Impact: Craft a heartfelt, optimistic announcement about the festival’s return. Acknowledge the hiatus (“We’ve missed you these past two years…”) and express enthusiasm for the reunion. Use engaging media – highlight reels or photos from previous editions – to tap into nostalgia. When ZoukOut signaled its comeback, it shared an emotional montage of past festival moments asking fans “Remember this feeling?” (mixmag.asia). This nostalgia-driven teaser helped loyal attendees feel the magic was coming back.
• Personal Outreach: Email your past ticket buyers first with the comeback news, thanking them for their patience. Consider offering an exclusive early-bird ticket deal or a small loyalty discount for those who stuck with you. This rewards your core community and makes them feel valued.
• Social Media Engagement: In the lead-up, ramp up activity on dormant social channels. Share throwback posts (“#ThrowbackThursday to our 2019 festival highlights”), behind-the-scenes peeks at preparations, and interactive content (polls, Q&As). Encourage fans to share their favourite festival memories. User-generated content can organically spread the word that the festival family is active again.
• Community Involvement: If your festival is local or niche, involve the community in the revival. Host a town hall or virtual forum to discuss the comeback and invite ideas. Some festivals even let fans vote on aspects like which classic merch design to reprint for the comeback edition – giving your audience a stake in the festival’s return can deepen their loyalty.
• Address Concerns Proactively: Use your communication channels to rebuild trust. If attendees previously experienced a let-down (like a last-minute cancellation or refund issues), speak to that. Outline what steps are being taken to ensure a smoother experience this time (for example, “We’ve upgraded our ticketing platform for faster refunds and live updates, so you’re always in the loop”). Honest, transparent communication can turn skeptics into supporters.

By treating past attendees not just as customers but as valued partners in the festival’s journey, you transform a dormant fan base into an excited crowd ready to return. Remember, these early ambassadors will be the ones to spread positive word-of-mouth and bring others along to the revived event.

Win Back Sponsors and Partners

Many festivals rely on sponsors, investors, and partners (from local businesses to production vendors) to survive. A hiatus can shake their confidence, so part of your comeback plan is re-establishing those relationships:

• Direct, Early Communication: Don’t wait until everything is set – reach out to past sponsors as soon as you have a solid plan for returning. Thank them for their past support and share why the festival’s comeback is a great opportunity for them. Outline any new vision or audience growth expected in the relaunch.
• Present a Renewal Plan: Create a brief “comeback deck” that highlights:
• Improved Strategy: How you’re addressing past challenges and ensuring success (e.g. new safety measures, new management, partnerships, etc.).
• Audience Excitement: Evidence that fans are eager for the festival’s return – share social media engagement stats, survey results, or media buzz that indicate high interest.
• Brand Exposure: Emphasise that the return will attract attention. A festival coming back after a hiatus can garner press coverage and public intrigue beyond a typical year – meaning sponsors might get extra mileage from the publicity.
• Value for Sponsor: If possible, sweeten the deal – perhaps a discounted rate for returning sponsors or added benefits (extra banners, a featured booth, dedicated social media shout-outs) to show gratitude for their loyalty.
• Leverage Relationships: Focus first on sponsors who have a history with the festival. Long-term partners are more likely to empathise with setbacks. In Germany, the DAS FEST organisers credited the “great solidarity” of their long-standing sponsors and partners for helping make their 2022 comeback possible despite a 30% rise in costs (www.iqmagazine.com). Those existing relationships can be the bedrock of your revival.
• Explore New Sponsors: A hiatus might have opened opportunities to target new sponsors, especially if your festival’s content or audience has shifted. For instance, if you’re adding a wellness area or a techno stage as part of the relaunch, approach brands in those niches who might not have been interested before. Just be ready to demonstrate how the festival’s comeback will draw crowds that align with their target market.
• Transparent Terms: Given recent uncertainties, sponsors will appreciate flexible, fair terms. Be upfront about contingency plans (for example, how sponsorship exposure will be handled if an event is postponed). Showing that you’ve thought through backup scenarios reassures partners that their investment is safe.

Rebuilding sponsor confidence is about proving that supporting your festival is still a sound, rewarding investment. By combining data (on audience interest) with storytelling (the narrative of the festival’s return) and a solid business case, you can bring many sponsors back on board – and even attract new ones – to finance the big comeback.

Communicate Changes and Address Reputation

If the hiatus came after a crisis, controversy, or major stumbling block, this is your chance to reset the narrative. Even if it was due to an external issue like a pandemic, the landscape has changed – so clear communication about what’s new or different is key to rebuilding trust:

• Acknowledge the Past, but Focus on the Future: Address any elephants in the room in your PR messaging. For example, if a previous edition had safety issues or logistical failures, briefly acknowledge it: “After the difficulties at our last event, we took time off to regroup and improve.” Then move quickly to what you’ve changed: “We’ve overhauled our safety protocols and attendee services to ensure a fantastic, secure experience in our comeback year.”
• Showcase Improvements: Nothing rebuilds confidence like concrete actions. Highlight the specific improvements or reforms:
• Safety & Health: Describe new safety measures (more medical staff, weather monitoring systems, COVID-19 precautions if relevant, etc.).
• Attendee Experience: Mention upgrades like additional water stations, better sanitation, improved accessibility, or expanded facilities.
• Management Changes: If applicable, introduce new key staff or advisors (e.g. a renowned production manager or a community liaison) whose involvement signals professionalism.
• Community & Sustainability: If criticisms involved community impact or environmental issues, explain initiatives like noise control, local community funding, or eco-friendly practices now in place.
• Use Media and Influencers: Secure interviews or features in relevant media to discuss the festival’s return and readiness. Have festival spokespeople (or even performing artists and well-known supporters) talk about their excitement and the event’s positive evolution. Authentic endorsements help sway public opinion.
• A Case Study in Redemption: Look to examples like New York’s Electric Zoo festival. After a tragic setback in 2013 (when two attendees’ deaths led to a cancelled final day), the organisers made very public changes before the next edition. They implemented rigorous drug safety measures – from mandatory educational videos for attendees to free water and “cooling stations” on-site – to prove their commitment to attendee welfare (toronto.citynews.ca) (toronto.citynews.ca). This transparency and action allowed the festival to rebuild its reputation and continue. Such examples underscore that when festivals openly address issues and demonstrate improvement, fans and authorities are more willing to support the comeback.
• Community Relations: If the festival’s pause impacted the local community (e.g. lost tourism revenue or disappointed local vendors), make amends as part of your PR strategy. Engage local leaders and communities with listening sessions or volunteering initiatives. Show that the festival’s return will also rejuvenate the community. For instance, the returning Lake of Stars festival not only brought back international tourists to Malawi but also engaged local artists, traditional dance troupes, and food vendors, ensuring the comeback benefited everyone on the ground (mwnation.com).

By proactively controlling the narrative and highlighting positive changes, you turn the festival’s hiatus from a dark mark into a plot twist in a larger success story. The goal is for press, partners, and attendees to all be saying, “They’re back – and better than ever.”

Adjust the Festival Strategy (If Needed)

After a long break, the context in which your festival operates might be very different. Tastes change, new events emerge, and what worked years ago might need a tweak. Smart festival organisers treat a comeback as a chance to assess and adjust strategy:

• Refresh the Programming: Consider whether your lineup or content should evolve. Perhaps during the hiatus new genres or trends captured your audience’s interest. A festival that was rock-focused pre-2020 might discover its audience now craves a mix of electronic music or wellness workshops. Injecting fresh elements can both attract new attendees and show returning fans that the festival is keeping up with the times.
• Format and Layout Tweaks: The break is an opportunity to trial new formats. This could mean adding a day for a soft-opening community event, introducing smaller stages for emerging talent, or changing the site layout for better crowd flow. Mexico’s Vive Latino festival, for example, used its 2022 return to add intimate acoustic stages and art installations after seeing other global festivals find success with more diverse on-site experiences.
• Venue Re-evaluation: If the previous venue had limitations or if circumstances changed, you might relocate or upgrade infrastructure. Some festivals return in a new home to mark a fresh start. The Urban Music People (UMP) festival in Malawi re-emerged in 2024 after seven years by shifting from city venues to a scenic lakeside location, expanding its programming to include art, fashion, and beach sports in the process . The change of scenery reinvigorated the event and appealed to a broader crowd.
• Community and Cultural Relevance: Ensure your festival’s theme is still relevant post-hiatus. If public sentiment or cultural conversations have shifted (for instance, greater emphasis on inclusivity or climate awareness), adapt accordingly. This might involve curating more diverse artists, implementing green initiatives, or adjusting the festival’s messaging to align with current values.
• Staged Growth: It’s tempting to come back with a bang, but be strategic. Plan for multi-year growth rather than putting all eggs in the comeback year. Maybe aim for a slightly smaller capacity the first year back to ensure quality, with plans to scale up in subsequent editions once the trust and momentum are re-established. By framing your comeback as the first step of a new chapter, you set the expectation that better things are yet to come (which can excite sponsors and attendees alike about the festival’s evolution).

Adapting the festival’s strategy is not about changing your identity entirely – it’s about thoughtful evolution. The best festivals in the world constantly innovate while retaining their soul. Use the hiatus as a catalyst to bring your event up-to-speed with what audiences and the market expect today.

Marketing the Comeback

With plans in motion, you’ll need a powerful marketing push to put your revived festival back on the map. Effective marketing for a comeback balances nostalgic appeal with fresh excitement:

• Build Anticipation Early: Start marketing earlier than you normally would for an annual event. Since you’ve been off the radar, it takes time to regain momentum. Launch a “Festival Comeback” campaign with a clear, uplifting slogan or hashtag (e.g. #FestivalNameReturns or #BackIn2024). Use a countdown to the on-sale date or lineup announcement to create buzz.
• Press Coverage of the Return: Many media outlets find “festival comeback” stories newsworthy, especially if the event was notable in the past. Send out press releases and personal pitches to music journalists, event blogs, and local news well ahead of the festival. Focus the story on what’s special about the return – whether it’s a beloved local tradition coming back or a major international festival reopening after COVID. Be sure to highlight human-interest elements (for example, families returning to a cultural festival, or crew members getting back to work).
• Hype with Lineup and Programming: If it’s a music festival, securing one or two standout headliners (perhaps artists who were slated for the cancelled year, or big names new to your event) can generate excitement and headlines. For food or cultural festivals, maybe it’s a celebrity chef or a renowned guest curator for the comeback edition. Lead with these draws in your marketing materials, alongside the narrative of the festival’s grand return.
• Leverage Digital Marketing: Increase your online advertising spend if possible – target past attendees and lookalike audiences on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube with ads trumpeting the return. Use footage from past festivals in video ads to remind people what they’ve been missing. Consider creating an “Our Comeback Story” email or blog series that shares behind-the-scenes preparations, further engaging your audience in the journey.
• Influencer and Alumni Promotion: Rally support from artists, performers, or influencers who have been involved before. Have them share the festival announcement or record short videos about their own excitement to return to your stage. When artists big and small tell their fans they’ll be at your festival, it amplifies reach. For instance, after its hiatus, one festival had local bands take over its Instagram account leading up to the event, chatting about their favourite festival memories and upcoming performances – this not only created content but reinforced the event’s community spirit.
• Community Outreach: Don’t neglect offline and grassroots marketing, especially if yours is a community-centric festival. Put up “We’re back!” posters in the region, revive street team efforts, and partner with local businesses to display flyers or offer joint promotions. Engaging schools, universities, or cultural organizations with ticket giveaways or collaborations can also help spread the word that the festival is alive again.

Marketing a comeback is about reigniting the public’s memory of the festival’s best moments and convincing them that the upcoming edition will be unmissable. Every message should convey a mix of “remember how great this was?” and “look at what we have in store now!” to capture both nostalgia and curiosity.

Ticketing, Budgeting, and Logistics in the New Era

Relaunching a festival comes with financial and logistical challenges. Careful planning in these areas will ensure the comeback is sustainable:

• Realistic Budgeting: Expect higher costs than before – suppliers’ prices may have risen, and you might need to invest in new measures (from sanitation to streaming infrastructure). Build a conservative budget that factors in contingencies. It’s wise to secure some reserve funds or a line of credit for unexpected expenses. The first year back might not be hugely profitable; consider it an investment in rebuilding the brand. As the team behind Germany’s DAS FEST noted in 2022, breaking even can be a victory when facing ~30% higher expenses post-hiatus (www.iqmagazine.com).
• Smart Ticketing Strategy: Price your tickets thoughtfully. While you might be inclined to raise prices to recoup lost income, be cautious – audiences may still be recovering financially or hesitant to commit. In fact, across 2022 we saw festivals avoid steep price hikes out of respect for loyal fans who held onto tickets through cancellations (www.iqmagazine.com) (www.iqmagazine.com). Offering early-bird pricing or flexible payment plans can encourage people to buy early and demonstrate goodwill. Additionally, implement a clear refund or rollover policy to reassure buyers (uncertainty is still on everyone’s mind after global disruptions).
• Leverage Technology: Use a robust ticketing platform that can handle potential surges in demand and communicate with ticket holders effectively. A platform like Ticket Fairy offers marketing and analytics tools that help identify and reach lapsed ticket buyers, and it ensures a smooth on-sale with transparent, fan-friendly pricing (no dreaded dynamic price spikes). Making ticket purchasing easy and fair is part of winning back trust.
• Capacity Planning: Anticipate what your attendance might be and plan your logistics accordingly. It’s possible you’ll see a surge due to pent-up demand, or conversely, a slow rebuild. Look at indicators like social media engagement, early ticket sales, and even other similar events’ performance. Don’t automatically assume you can accommodate the exact same numbers as before – staffing and infrastructure need to align with expected turnout to maintain a quality experience.
• Supply Chain and Vendors: Reach out early to secure stages, sound and lighting vendors, fencing, tents, and other equipment. Post-pandemic, many events returning at once led to gear shortages and overbooked contractors (www.iqmagazine.com). Lock in key suppliers months in advance and have backups in mind. Re-confirm everything closer to the date, as the industry continues to face fluctuations.
• Staffing and Volunteers: Be prepared to train new staff or volunteers if some old hands have moved on. Invest in a thorough briefing and perhaps run small test events or site walkthroughs to shake off the rust. Emphasize the festival’s renewed goals and standards so everyone on the team is on the same page. Many festivals found 2022 challenging because crew and volunteers were out of practice or in short supply, so proactive training and team-building is crucial.
• Risk Management: The hiatus underlined the need for robust contingency plans. Obtain appropriate insurance for cancellations or public liability (though epidemic coverage might be tricky, ensure you have what’s available). Develop clear protocols for various scenarios – extreme weather, health emergencies, etc. For example, if a hurricane forced you to cancel in the past (like Tennessee’s Bonnaroo did in 2021 due to flooding), have a weather monitoring system and evacuation plan in place, and communicate those plans to attendees ahead of time. It’s not just about being safer – it’s also about showing everyone that you are prepared now.
• On-Site Enhancements: Consider enhancements that both improve the attendee experience and reflect any new post-hiatus priorities. This might mean more open-air spaces or ventilation if health is a concern, cashless transactions for speed and hygiene, or even hybrid components like live streams for those who can’t attend in person. A number of festivals introduced optional virtual tickets or livestreams when they returned (sometimes with sponsor support) to reach a wider audience and add an extra revenue stream without crowding the venue.

Handling the nuts and bolts of finance and logistics with care will protect your comeback from being derailed by practical issues. The goal is a smooth operation that may even surpass the “old days” by applying modern best practices and the hard lessons learned.

Day-One: Deliver an Unforgettable Experience

When the comeback day finally arrives and gates open, focus on execution and experience. This is your festival’s big moment to validate all the planning and reassure everyone that the soul of the festival is alive and well:

• Warm Welcome: Make the returning attendees feel appreciated as soon as they arrive. Consider a special welcome gate experience – perhaps previous festival footage playing on screens, or the staff and volunteers cheering “welcome back!” Enthusiasm is contagious.
• Opening Ceremony: If appropriate, have a brief opening moment that acknowledges the significance of the reunion. Whether it’s the festival director addressing the crowd, a local elder blessing the event (for cultural festivals), or a short video montage on the main stage screens, marking the comeback openly can be very powerful. It creates a sense of shared celebration between organisers and audience.
• Smooth Operations: Ensure all the improved logistics truly work: short lines, clean facilities, clear signage, and informed staff. Small details like extra water refill points or mobile charging stations (if those were complaints in the past) will be noticed and appreciated. By visibly correcting old pain points, you send the message that the festival is not just back, but better.
• Monitor in Real Time: Stay agile throughout the event. Have your core team continually monitor the crowd’s mood, any bottlenecks, or issues on social media. If minor problems arise, address them quickly and communicate as needed. For instance, if a new traffic plan isn’t working perfectly, don’t hesitate to send out a quick update via your festival app or make announcements to guide attendees. Being responsive builds trust.
• Safety First: All the new safety measures you planned should be in full effect. Your security and medical teams should be visible and proactive (in a friendly way). Take the initiative to remind attendees of wellness resources available – as an example, Electric Zoo’s comeback included encouraging attendees to stay hydrated and use the free “cooling tunnel” on hot days (toronto.citynews.ca). When fans see a festival actively caring for their well-being, it reinforces that the organisers are competent and compassionate.
• Artist & Content Delivery: Ensure your programming runs like clockwork. After a hiatus, artists are also eager to perform – coordinate with them to perhaps give a shoutout to the festival’s return or the fans’ support. These authentic moments (like a headliner saying “We’re so glad [Festival Name] is back!” on stage) can become highlight quotes in media coverage and social media, further solidifying the festival’s comeback narrative.
• Capture the Magic: Have a media team on-site to document the event – photos, videos, live social updates. Not only will this content be invaluable for marketing next year, but real-time posts of a happy crowd can show anyone who hesitated to attend that the comeback was a hit. It might even drive last-minute ticket sales if you’re running multiple days.

Executing a successful festival comeback day isn’t about avoiding every tiny glitch (there are always hiccups), it’s about the overall vibe and handling of issues. If attendees leave feeling that unique festival joy and noticing tangible improvements from the past, you’ve accomplished the mission. The stories they take home will fuel your festival’s reputation for the next edition.

Post-Festival: Follow Up and Sustain the Momentum

The event might be over, but the comeback journey is not. The weeks and months after the festival are when you cement the gains made and lay the groundwork for continued growth:

• Heartfelt Thank-Yous: Publicly thank everyone involved – attendees, artists, crew, volunteers, sponsors, and the host community. A sincere open letter or a high-energy recap video shared on social media can go a long way. When the Inglefest music festival in the UK was saved from permanent closure by fan donations, the organisers announced their return by proclaiming “You have ALL collectively saved Inglefest,” giving full credit to the community (www.bbc.com). That kind of gratitude builds a lasting bond.
• Feedback Collection: Just as you did pre-planning, now gather feedback on the comeback edition. Send post-event surveys to attendees, hold debrief meetings with staff and partners, and invite the community to share thoughts. Identify what new implementations worked and what might need adjustment. Showing that you are still listening even after the comeback will impress stakeholders and help refine future plans.
• Address Any Hiccups: If any aspect of the festival didn’t go as planned, be proactive in addressing it. For example, if entry lines were still longer than expected or one of the new stages had sound issues, acknowledge it to your audience (via social media or email) and explain that you’re already working on improvements for next time. This transparency turns potential criticism into a platform for showing your commitment to excellence.
• Celebrate and Publicize Successes: Highlight the best outcomes of the festival. If you sold out your comeback year or hit a new attendance milestone, announce it. If there were positive news stories or reviews, share them. Maybe the festival brought a boost to the local economy – get quotes from happy vendors or city officials and include that in a post-event report. These achievements not only please your current stakeholders but also become persuasive points when attracting new sponsors or talent next year.
• Plan the Next Edition: Perhaps the most assuring sign of a successful comeback is announcing that you’ll be back again. If you can, reveal dates for the next edition or at least confirm that the festival will indeed continue. This removes any lingering doubt and keeps the momentum. Early bird ticket sales or deposits for the next year can even help with cash flow.
• Continuous Community Engagement: Don’t go dark now that the festival is over. Keep social media and newsletters active (even if at a lower frequency) throughout the year. Share photos, “flashback Fridays” to the comeback event, and updates on planning for the next one. You might even host off-season mini-events or meetups (in-person or virtual) to keep the community engaged. The goal is to avoid losing the connection that was just reestablished with so much effort.

By following up diligently, you transform a one-time comeback event into a true rebirth of the festival brand. Each communication after the festival should reinforce that the event is here to stay and that everyone – fans, sponsors, and community – is part of its bright future. In essence, you are shifting the narrative from “the comeback” to “the future”, signaling that the festival’s evolution and multi-year growth have resumed in earnest.

Key Takeaways for a Successful Festival Comeback

• Thoroughly analyze the hiatus: Understand the reasons for the pause and address them directly in your comeback strategy – learn from past mistakes and successes alike.
• Rebuild relationships: Re-engage your core audience with authenticity and reward their loyalty. Likewise, reconnect with sponsors and partners by sharing a clear vision of the festival’s return and improvements.
• Transparent communication is vital: Be honest about what’s changing and how you’re ensuring a better, safer experience. Tackling reputation issues head-on builds trust.
• Adapt and evolve: Use the hiatus as a chance to update the festival’s strategy, whether it’s scaling the event appropriately, refreshing the content, or enhancing the format to meet current audience interests and values.
• Market the story: Treat the comeback as a compelling story – leverage nostalgia for past glory and excitement for new features to generate buzz through press, social media, and word-of-mouth.
• Plan financially and logistically: Create a realistic budget with contingencies, set fair ticket prices and refund policies, secure vendors and staff early, and strengthen risk management to avoid operational pitfalls in the comeback year.
• Deliver quality on event day: Focus on attendee experience and safety. By executing smoothly and showing visible improvements, you convert skeptics into believers.
• Maintain momentum: After the event, continue engaging your community and stakeholders, gather feedback, and demonstrate that the festival is back for good with plans for the future.

Bringing a dormant festival back to life is no small feat. It requires the careful balance of harking back to what made the event special in the first place, while also reassuring everyone that lessons have been learned and things are even better now. With diligent planning, genuine engagement, and a bit of creative flair, festival organisers can absolutely turn a hiatus or setback into the start of an exciting new chapter. Here’s to your festival’s triumphant comeback and the many successful years of growth and evolution ahead!