RETHINKING THE FESTIVE SEASON
- The Intrepid Collective
- Nov 19
- 2 min read
At The Intrepid Collective, we believe events are powerful tools for connection they bring people together, tell shared stories, and celebrate what makes us human. As the festive season approaches, it’s worth pausing to think about who gets to be part of the celebration, and how we can make those moments truly inclusive.
Our Senior Event Manager, Shanta, explores how inclusive production, diverse storytelling, and a spirit of connection can make every festive celebration meaningful for all.
"Inclusion isn’t just good practice, it’s what transforms an event from something people attend into something they belong to. Here’s how we can make festive events more inclusive, meaningful, and reflective of the communities we produce events for:
1. Start with your audience. Inclusion begins at the planning stage. Make sure your event team reflects the diversity of your audience — in culture, background, and lived experience. When decision-making is diverse, ideas naturally become more inclusive.
2. Celebrate the season, not just Christmas. The festive period can be Christmas and more. Think about what other traditions are being celebrated; Diwali, Hanukkah, Eid, and Winter Solstice, all bring their own energy and beauty. Recognising and weaving these celebrations into your calendar, even in small ways, helps more people feel seen.
3. Design for accessibility. Inclusivity is also about physical, sensory, and financial access. Ensure your event is wheelchair-friendly, provide clear signage, create quiet spaces, and free elements where possible. Everyone deserves to have fun.
4. Consider your menu. Food and drink are at the heart of most celebrations, but not everyone celebrates in the same way. Offer halal, kosher, vegan, gluten-free, and alcohol-free options, and collaborate with local caterers to showcase authentic, community-driven flavours.
5. Collaborate, with those in the know. If your event celebrates a tradition or culture outside your own, co-produce it with local groups, who do have the knowledge and have built strong links in the community. Pay artists and cultural leaders fairly, and work alongside them to produce an event that reflects your audience.
6. Think about the whole event. Representation goes beyond who’s performing on stage. Think about your marketing, signage, and tone of voice. Use inclusive language and imagery that celebrate the diversity of your audience. All of these elements make people feel seen, and respected.
7. Find the universal joy. Every celebration, whatever its roots, shares the same aim to create moments that bring everyone together. Think about including elements where people can participate, connect and create a shared connection.
At The Intrepid Collective, we design events that celebrate culture, creativity, and community, bringing people together in ways that feel authentic, joyful, and inclusive. Because the most memorable events aren’t just festive; they make everyone feel part of the story."
If you would like to discuss how to use seasonal celebrations to amplify your event progamme, email us hello@theintrepidcollective for a chat.
