Free Sprit

For the screening of the Stranger Things 2 premiere, Netflix and MKG rebranded the historic Regency Village Theatre, nodding to the show’s fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. The screening featured a 50-foot-long black carpet with 3-D signage.

A food truck outside the screening served Eggo waffles—a reference to one character's affinity for the breakfast food.

Bulletins and flyers throughout the screening and after-party aimed to immerse guests in the show's setting.

After the screening, guests headed to UCLA’s Dickson Court North for the on-theme after-party, which was set at a 1984-inspired town fair.

A smoke effect throughout the event added a spooky vibe.

In keeping with the town-fair vibe, the party featured classic carnival games—with a creepy twist. For example, a fishbowl game featured fake dead fish floating in the bowls.

Another game featured milk bottles with "missing" posters for fan-favorite character Barb.

A tree at the event featured a fake portal to the “Upside Down”—a reference to the show’s creepy alternate dimension. Another nod to the Upside Down came in a GIF photo booth by Om Digital that displayed flipped versions of photos.

After-party drinks were themed around the show, with cheeky names such as UpCider Down and Maple Bourbon Bone Chiller.

In another nod to season 2, a pumpkin patch was filled with rotten pumpkins.

Photo cut-outs allowed guests to pose as the show’s main characters—Will, Mike, Dustin, and Lucas—dressed up as Ghostbusters.

The party took advantage of its proximity to Halloween and featured ghost and grave props, as well as plenty of pumpkins.

Branded giveaways such as a “Hawkins Middle School A/V Club” pins provided a fun, on-theme touch.

A Hawkins Police Department car added to the party’s immersive environment.

Overall, 60,000 square feet of Pier 35 was used for the event, with 40 vendors creating 11 distinct camp-inspired vignettes.

Upon entering the event, each guest was given a wooden coin to spend in the “General Store.” The store space—which was designed by Bright Event Rentals and M. Design Styling and Florals—offered camp-theme swag such as beanies, tote bags, candles, homemade granola, and more.

Rustic glamping-inspired decor was designed to complement the pier’s exposed wood ceiling. In one section rentals by Bright Event Rentals, greenery and flowers by Hunt Littlefield, and catering by Betty Zlatchin Catering offered a stylish place for guests to relax.

Shelter Company created a teepee structure for its camp-inspired vignette.

Greenery and tealights from Revel Floral hung from the structure. Shelter Company created a stylish seating area featured Southwest-inspired patterns and stools that resembled tree trunks.

On one end of the venue, Soulflower Design Studio created a circular seating area inspired by the mandala symbol of Hinduism and Buddhism. A projected background scene, produced by Impact Lighting Audio Video, displayed changing images of a tranquil lake and mountain setting. Acoustic duo the Easy Leaves performed in the space.

Abbey Party Rents and Scarlett & Grace Florals created a lush lounge area with overhead trees filled with string lights. Global Gourmet Catering provided refreshments in the space.

Tying into the rustic look, the Abbey Party Rents lounge featured elegant leather couches and a wooden trunk that served as a coffee table. Vintage rugs completed the cozy, upscale lounge feel.

In Blueprint Studios’ lounge, a wood-paneled wall featured cutouts in the shape of pine trees. Elaine Bell Catering offered a variety of bacon-inspired treats, such as hard cider bacon brittle and spiced candied bacon bows.

Blueprint Studios' lounge was highlighted by a campfire-inspired coffee table and flowers from Scarlett & Grace.

On-theme centerpieces from Taste Catering & Event Planning featured warm orange and red florals with scattered pine cones.

Hensley Event Resources created a lodge-like structure for its vignette. String lights added warmth to the space, which was filled with rustic wooden furniture and blue-and-gold tablecloths, as well as simple florals by Scarlett & Grace and food by Checkers Catering and Special Events. The lodge was surrounded by green hedges.

Libations Unlimited served warm drinks such as coffee and hot toddies throughout the evening from a wooden camper.

Another beverage option came from Clubhouse Caravan and Bartenders Unlimited, who served drinks such as “adult Capri Suns” out of a mobile bar. M. Design Styling and Florals decorated the space with cozy seating, a hammock, and plenty of greenery.

A craft area allowed guests to make pom-pom garlands and other camp-theme flair.