20 Toasty Tips for Keeping Guests Warm at Winter Events

Last month, CNC Agency created and executed a two-day branded Airstream holiday pop-up event in NYC for Moroccanoil. The experience showcased the haircare brand’s exclusive holiday collection, offered free samples, and enabled on-site purchases, all within a colorful branded Airstream. To encourage chilly guests to stay awhile, staffers served complimentary hot chocolate with Moroccanoil-branded marshmallows.

On-site fitness classes can be a great way to warm guests up, like this one at PopSugar’s “Sugar Chalet," held in New York in November 2019. The indoor wintry setting, designed by David Stark Design, was decked out in colorful plaids, cozy decor, and lodge-inspired features such as a giant hearth with rainbow-hued “logs." In addition to morning yoga sessions, visitors could enjoy a hammock with fuzzy blankets and furry pillows, plus warm, fizzy Sambucus elderberry drinks. Over the course of the one-day event, about 1,500 visitors passed through the Sugar Chalet. See more: See Inside PopSugar’s Whimsical Sugar Chalet

Nothing conveys a sense of warmth quite like candles—an idea that Warner Bros. effectively leaned into with its 2023 Oscars event. The glamorous gathering had an over-the-top event design from JOWY Productions, which leaned into a mix of black and gold with accents of red—and plenty of sparkle. Over 300 glass hurricane candles filled with black sand flickered throughout the party, juxtaposed with twinkle lights in the trees. As a focal point, a tiered candle installation featured 5-foot crystal and gold chandeliers. See more: Oscars 2023: Elegant Event Inspiration From Hollywood's Most Glamorous Week

To help soothe any impending colds in the chilly holiday season, planners can send guests home with the Seasonal Care Kit from Gifts for the Good Life. The winter survival pack contains hand warmers, lip balm, tissue covers, tub tea, wellness patches, and more, all with customizable labels.

To celebrate fashion designer Adam Lippes' 2015 buffalo plaid-inspired collection for Target, David Stark Design used Lippes' Berkshires home and personal style—and other notable households of the region like that of Edith Wharton—as inspiration to transform a New York venue's outdoor space into a cozy picnic setting. While the event was held in August, the blanket- and pillow-filled space offers great inspiration for winter events; picnic baskets held additional Adam Lippes blankets and thermoses. See more: How to Throw a Plaid Picnic

Sometimes, leaning into the season through cozy, winter-inspired decor can add a natural warmth to your event design. For a corporate holiday party held in December 2023, Sterling Engagements created a stylish wintry retreat in a lodge-like setting. The space featured snow-dusted trees, serene blue lighting inspired by the winter sky, and a color palette complemented by shimmering metallics that were designed to catch the light. The centerpiece of the festive gathering was the plaid dance floor and eye-catching ceiling installation, which mixed different mediums including winter greens, pine cones, starbursts, and more. Florals furthered the whimsical, wintry theme.

Other fun touches at the holiday party included bartenders dressed in "cabincore" attire, wreath photo moments, ski footage projected overhead, and fireside lounges. There was also a "Hot Bev" station.

Or, give guests a respite from the winter blues with a summery event. On Valentine's Day 2014, in the midst of one of Chicago's coldest winters in decades, the Chicago Botanic Garden hosted a tropical-themed event to celebrate the opening of its Orchid Show. The Meetinghouse Companies provided the tiki-style bar, which had a large sign that read "Welcome to Paradise." A warm lighting scheme gave the space a sunny feel—and at the entrance, representatives from the Hawaiian Islands doled out leis for guests. See more: 6 Tropical Party Ideas to Warm Up Winter Guests

Another winter event that transported guests to warmer seasons was the 2020 SAG Awards' official after-party. Producers Event Eleven adopted a "cherry blossom forest" theme for the January event, mixing trees featuring various shades of pink blossoms with plush furniture and walnut details. See more: See the SAG Awards' Cherry Blossom-Filled After-Party

There's nothing like some warm—and delicious—cocktails to get the blood pumping. A few years ago, The Watergate Hotel’s Top of the Gate rooftop bar and lounge celebrated fall with four hot cocktails: Kentucky Apple Cider with Maker’s Mark, spiced apple cider, cinnamon, and anise; Keoke Coffee with Kahlúa, crème de cacao, brandy, and coffee; mulled wine with brandy, cloves, cardamom, citrus, and cinnamon; and spiked hot chocolate with Bailey’s, Jameson, and Swiss hot chocolate.

For a safe and subtle fire experience that can easily blend into the decor, rental company Taylor Creative Inc. has a freestanding, modern fireplace with a white laminate base. It runs with “real flame” gel, which is poured into the cavity and then lit.

To celebrate its “Winter Summerland” holiday campaign, rum brand BACARDÍ took over New York’s Times Square in December 2021 with a variety of fun activities intended to get cold New Yorkers into a sun-soaked, summery state of mind. One highlight? A fleet of performers and brand ambassadors formed an attention-grabbing flash mob, complete with Caribbean music.

In early 2024, Destination Canada unveiled what it’s calling the “world’s first winter pickleball spa” at Quebec’s winter wonderland. The DinkDunk Pickleball Spa features a pickleball court tucked in the Canadian wilderness. The experience also features luxury spa amenities like massages and a cold plunge station built into a national riverbank—and, to warm guests up, a sauna and outdoor hot tub, plus a selection of Quebecois charcuterie and snacks.

Set atop Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel is Somewhere Nowhere NYC, which puts on a Winter Wonderland celebration each year to mark the opening of its rooftop teardrop igloos. A reservation in one of these enclosures is highly sought after during the holiday season—not only as a festive activity (each igloo features a personal fireplace and festive plush seating and blankets) but also for its panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline.

Guests at Somewhere Nowhere's teardrop igloos are gifted a bottle of Champagne; other treats, like tabletop s'mores and caviar bites, can be ordered.

At the TED Conference in 2016, Vancouver architect and past TED speaker Michael Green worked with local design students to create two 16-by-30-foot “warming huts” where attendees could gather outside the Vancouver Convention Centre. Following the conference, the huts were permanently installed in one of British Columbia’s outdoor recreation sites so they could be used by climbers, skiers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Chicago-based Blue Plate Catering’s hot soup station offers made-to-order Asian broths infused with aromatics and vegetables in glass siphons. The broth is served in petite glass bowls filled with fresh garnishes.

During Sundance 2024, Audible returned to Main Street with The Audible Listening Lodge. Attendees could visit the branded space that offered scenic views of Park City, Utah; fireplaces; heat lamps; blankets; and a selection of Audible projects presented in vibrant orange listening gondolas. The outdoor patio also featured a heated yurt where visitors could enjoy hot beverages, empanadas, s’mores, and more. See more: 2024 Sundance Film Festival: See Inside Activations From Disney, Adobe, Chase Sapphire, and More

Also at Sundance 2024, DoorDash hosted an outdoor activation that served as an on-site concierge for festivalgoers to get essentials during their time in Park City, along with hot cocoa and surprise-and-delight perks. Tying into the idea that DoorDash is your 24/7 life assistant that can anticipate all of your needs, the activation was a mix between a classic box office and a bespoke hotel front desk; it provided attendees with anything and everything they might need while in Park City—including eye drops, hand warmers, ChapStick, Advil, and more.

Lakehouse Resort in San Marcos, Calif., offers guests a complimentary s'mores kit that can be enjoyed around one of the resort’s fire pits. The property also offers a “Guitar Concierge,” complete with access to complimentary guitars and a curated list of songs.