Skip to content

4 Step Guide on How to Create a Budget Summer Festival Vibe in your Back Garden

Ellie Macsymons·Jun 15, 2020

Covid-19 may have cancelled summer 2020 but it hasn’t stopped families from enjoying themselves at home. Public holidays, concerts and festivals can’t go ahead this year, but that doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on the highly anticipated summer celebrations. If you’re craving the euphoria of a British festival and are eager to indulge in good music, warm weather, endless drinks and laughs with friends, then why not emulate that exciting festival vibe in your back garden? Below, we’ve created a guide on how to design a home-made festival aesthetic during lockdown in the hopes of relieving some of your festival FOMO. We’ve also included tips on how to bring your outdoor space to life on a budget, allowing you to make the most of the British Summertime at home.

Create that festival vibe in your garden during lockdown. Image: amylouisa_x

Step 1: Decorations & Lighting

British festivals wouldn’t be the same without their bohemian aesthetic. Therefore, it’s crucial that you get your outdoor decor just right to really recreate that free spirited atmosphere that us Brits love from our festivals. Bust out the Christmas fairy lights and hang them along fences for a twinkling evening glow. You can even cut bunting out of old summer dresses and tea towels to really capture the British festival feel. Ball lights into mason jars and space them along tables and bring as many beanbags, cushions and blankets outside to make a comfortable seating area on the grass. Alternatively, if you have the time or the money, you can even invest in hay bales to construct a truly authentic festival seating area. You can also purchase retro globe lights, paper lanterns, tassels, streamers and balloons as well as boho inspired cushions and teepees.

Below you can find affordable products if you’re looking to buy new items for your garden festival as well as inspiration if you’re looking to create similar decor using products that you already have at home. Remember, getting crafty with old bed sheets and jam jars to create bunting and cool light fittings can look just as impressive as brand new purchases, and creating them can be much more fun and rewarding, especially when the whole family gets involved.

Find the right lighting and decor on a budget. Image: lights4fun.com
Solar Powered Chinese Lanterns set the mood day and night. Image: lights4fun.com

Recreate this summery vibe with a voucher code from Lights4fun. Delivery is free on orders over £40 and if you sign up to the newsletter you can save 10% off your next order.

Step 2: Music

Of course, for your festival to be successful, you need music. Create your own free playlists using YouTube or your favourite music streaming app, or check out the pre-made summer festival playlists available on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. Listen to hours of DJ sets, classics from musical icons and feel good summer anthems using speakers or sound systems that you can connect to your home wifi or bluetooth. Bring your Alexa to the back door or invest in an outdoor speaker that can be used for garden parties all year round.

It’s also worth keeping an eye out for virtual music events that are being organised this summer. Glastonbury has already announced that it’s working on a ‘GlastHOMEbury’ that festival goers can enjoy from home, so make sure you stay in the know so that you can organise your garden festival around that. Isle of Wight Festival is also creating a Greatest Hits Show, that viewers can enjoy at home, using old sets from huge names like Coldplay, Jay-Z, Groove Armada, Iggy Pop and Amy Winehouse. Stream these shows online using your laptop or phone and connect to a portable speaker to listen in the garden, or if you’re looking to go all out you can even invest in an outdoor projector to watch your favourite sets outside.

Create your own cinema screen with an outdoor projector and a sheet
Image: Facebook/Sara Dacomb
Make your own stage with a cardboard box and a laptop. Image: Instagram/camerawillfly

Listen to music from your favourite artists and watch some of the most iconic festival sets of all time from the comfort of your back garden using tech from AO.com. Use an AO.com discount code from us to save money on everything from speakers to outdoor projectors and enjoy free delivery and time slots for NHS workers.

Step 3: Food & Drink

One of the best things about a festival is the diverse selection of food and drink. And with a festival at home, it’s even better because the food is free, you can eat as much of it as you want and you don’t have to worry about those horrendous queues. Make your food as easy and as Instagramable as possible. Invest in a pizza oven to make authentic wood fired pizzas or make your own fire pit or bonfire where you can toast BBQ food and even s’mores. If you’re looking to make things even easier put on a festival inspired buffet or create a burger station where your guests can choose from hot dogs, burgers, fries and other festival food. Get creative and make a menu, set different areas for food and snacks, you can even set up a sweet station with tasty treats that the whole family can nibble on throughout the day. If you’re looking to really bring your festival experience to life then why not make signs out of chalkboards or any crafts you have lying around the house, pointing your guests to the different food and drink sections around the garden? You should also consider buying environmentally friendly, compostable paper plates, burger boxes and cartons for fries so there’s no need to worry about the washing up at the end of the day.

Make your own festival burgers and other tasty snacks. Image: ilovemanchester.com
Set the mood and cook delicious treats with a fire pit. Image: notonthehighstreet.com

Find the ideal ingredients, cooking products and cutlery to make your festival food a reality. All of the retailers listed below provide affordable deals and discount codes through us as well as free delivery on selected orders.

Another crucial ingredient for your at home festival is drinks. Alcoholic or not, your drinks have to keep your guests hydrated and satisfied so make sure you stock up on a variety of juices, cans, beers and cocktails, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Concoct your own fruity punches and sangrias in bulk and pour them in big drink dispensers that your family can keep going back to for refills, and make sure your disposable red cups, paper straws and drink accessories are at the ready. You can even make your wheelbarrow the ultimate drinks accessory by filling it with heaps of ice and cold cans and beer. Not only will it suit the rustic festival aesthetic but it’ll also save you from running back and forth to the fridge all day too.

Create a trendy and highly Instagrammable drinks station Image: habitat.co.uk

Make your dream drink station with drinks and accessories from Amazon. Enjoy free delivery on all the products listed below and indulge in more discounts and deals when you begin your free Amazon Prime trial.

Step 4: Festival Dress Code

The final detail you need to consider is the dress code. Festival goers flock to the countryside every year in wellies and out of the box outfits, covered in glitter, face paint and colourful raincoats. To really capture the true spirit of a festival make sure you and your guests come dressed appropriately. Get the wellies out, your shorts on and your raincoat at the ready. Or, if you’re into a more laid back, bohemian vibe you can always find your most hippy looking outfit and make your own flower headbands to match your homemade Woodstock. Set up glitter, henna and face paint stalls in your garden just like at a real festival. You can even build a hair braiding area where the little ones can go to get their hair done. Buy some cheap dye from eBay and tie-dye any old t-shirts or tops you have lying about, or you can even DIY your own Coachella masterpieces by fraying old denim shorts or jeans, sewing pom poms and tassels onto different outfits and by customising your shoes and jackets with colour, glitter and diamantes. Designing your own outfits can be a fun activity for the whole family to take part in, however, if you’d rather invest in some festival inspired clothing that you can wear all summer long then take a look at the products we’ve handpicked below.

Get the look right with festival inspired outfits. Image: prettylittlething.com

If you’re looking to purchase trendy and affordable festival wear Pretty Little Thing is a great place to shop. They stock clothing, shoes and accessories in multiple sizes and often provide daily discount codes that allow you to save money. You can also buy now and pay later with Klarna and save up to 20% off with their student discount deal.

Once you have completed all the steps in our guide your back garden festival should be looking and sounding just as thrilling as the real deal. If you want to take your homemade festival that one step further you can also consider purchasing tents, photo booths, disposable cameras and games and activities. If you have the time and space you can even build your own stage where members of your family can perform karaoke. If you’re looking to create your back garden festival on a budget make sure you visit NetVoucherCodes.co.uk for discount codes and deals for all the retailers listed above and many more.

The Best and Most Affordable UK Christmas Market Getaways

The Best and Most Affordable UK Christmas Market Getaways

Nov 30, 2023

Planning a festive getaway this December? To help you out, we’ve calculated the costs of a one-night stay at six of the UK’s most popular Christmas markets. As the festive season kicks in, thousands across the UK get in the Christmas spirit by visiting Christmas markets located all around the country. From tasty German bites […]

Black Friday: Find the Best Deals on High-Value Products

Black Friday: Find the Best Deals on High-Value Products

Oct 19, 2023

Are you on the hunt for some mega deals this Black Friday? Read our guide to find the top products to look out for. Black Friday is prime time to get huge discounts on big-ticket items you’ve been eyeing all year. With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s also the ideal chance to […]

Celebrate Spooky Season without Breaking the Bank: Halloween on a Budget

Celebrate Spooky Season without Breaking the Bank: Halloween on a Budget

Oct 19, 2023

Halloween is almost here and it’s time to make the most of the chills and thrills that come with the spooky season. Whether you’re planning a low-key fright fest or gearing up for a ghoulish celebration, we’ve got the ultimate Halloween shopping guide to help you prepare. From spine-tingling costumes to creepy party essentials, you […]

Festive Finds: Your Budget-Friendly Christmas Travel and Shopping Guide

Festive Finds: Your Budget-Friendly Christmas Travel and Shopping Guide

Oct 19, 2023

We’re barely through October, and already the ‘C-word’ is sneaking its way into office chit chat and radio jingles. Shops are decked out with trinkets & chocolates, and it’s starting to feel suspiciously nippy outside. In a nutshell, Christmas is creeping its way in, whether we like it or not! And if you’re toying with […]

How to Avoid Hidden Airline Fees

How to Avoid Hidden Airline Fees

Oct 16, 2023

Discover the secrets to a hassle-free and budget-friendly journey by sidestepping unexpected airline charges. Finding a great deal on a flight can be so exciting! However, it’s not uncommon to encounter additional charges that can somewhat dampen the initial joy. Fortunately, with a bit of preparation and insight, you can navigate around these extra charges […]

How to Make the Most of Your Gap Year on a Student Budget

How to Make the Most of Your Gap Year on a Student Budget

Sep 14, 2023

If you’re desperate for a break from the conventional path of studies, a gap year is the perfect way to open a world of new opportunities! Studying abroad is an exciting way to discover work experiences like no other and develop life skills that are sure to put you in good stead in the future. […]

The Ultimate Guide to Bulk Buying

The Ultimate Guide to Bulk Buying

Sep 1, 2023

If you’re tired of spending a small fortune on your weekly food shop, it’s time to consider the money-saving hack of bulk buying! 1. Look out for Dried Items Dry foods are the ultimate product to stock up on! They have a long shelf life, meaning you can load up on them when they’re on […]

Back to School on a Budget: How to save money on School Uniform

Back to School on a Budget: How to save money on School Uniform

Jul 27, 2023

Kit the kids out with uniforms & school supplies on a budget using our complete back-to-school guide. Another school year is soon to commence, and one thing on every parent’s mind this summer is school uniform  – and more precisely, where’s the cheapest place for it? And with more and more of us looking to […]

How to Plan for Life Post Graduation

How to Plan for Life Post Graduation

Jul 18, 2023

If you’re approaching graduation and panicking about what to do next, don’t fret. We’ve put together some ideas of how you can plan ahead for life after finishing university. It’s that time of the year again – graduation season! As you bid farewell to your university days, it’s natural to start contemplating what lies ahead. […]