Outdoor Event Production Guide
Everything you need to know about producing concerts and events in outdoor venues — from site assessment to show day. Outdoor events introduce variables that indoor venues eliminate: weather, temporary power, ground conditions, and noise exposure. Planning for these variables is what separates successful outdoor events from problematic ones.
Site Assessment & Ground Conditions
Before committing to a site, assess ground conditions: is it level enough for staging? Will it drain in rain or become a mud field? Can trucks access the stage area without getting stuck? Is there adequate distance from property lines and noise-sensitive neighbors? Ground conditions affect everything from staging stability to cable routing to audience safety. A site visit during or after rain reveals drainage issues that dry-weather visits miss.
Temporary Power Systems
Outdoor venues rarely have permanent power infrastructure. Generator power must be sized for the total production load plus vendor requirements. Generator placement must consider noise (generators are loud), exhaust direction, fuel access for refills, and cable run distances. Longer cable runs require larger gauge wire to prevent voltage drop. Power distribution panels at each stage and vendor area provide circuit-level protection.
Mobile Staging & Structures
Mobile stages provide a self-contained performance platform with roof, wings, and rigging capacity. Stage selection depends on the required deck size, roof load capacity (for lighting and audio), and wind rating. Ground support towers provide additional rigging capacity beyond the stage roof. All temporary structures must be engineered for local wind conditions and may require permits and engineering certifications.
Weather Contingency Planning
Every outdoor event needs a weather plan. This includes monitoring services for real-time weather data, wind speed protocols with action thresholds, rain delay procedures, lightning safety protocols (clear the field when lightning is within a defined radius), and heat/cold mitigation for crew and audience. Weather plans should be documented and communicated to all vendors and staff before the event.
Sound Management & Noise Compliance
Outdoor events face noise ordinances that indoor events typically don’t. Sound management starts with system selection and aiming — directional arrays focused on the audience area, not the surrounding neighborhood. SPL monitoring at property lines verifies compliance in real-time. Some jurisdictions require sound studies or noise variance permits before the event. Scheduling louder acts earlier in the evening helps comply with time-based noise restrictions.
Permitting & Site Logistics
Outdoor events on public or private land require permits: temporary use permits, fire marshal approval, health department permits (if food is served), and sometimes traffic management plans. Site logistics include vehicle routing for vendor load-in, audience parking and pedestrian flow, emergency vehicle access, and ADA compliance for outdoor terrain. Start the permitting process 3–6 months before the event.
Planning an Outdoor Event?
From site assessment through strike — outdoor production that handles every variable.
Discuss Your ProductionOutdoor Production FAQ
Common questions about outdoor event production.
Weather. Unlike indoor venues, outdoor events are exposed to wind, rain, lightning, and temperature extremes. All of these affect equipment, structures, crew, and audience safety. A documented weather contingency plan with clear action thresholds is essential for every outdoor event.
