Organizing an event at your campsite can be a great way to showcase your location, offer a unique experience for your guests and involve the local community. However, organizing an event can also feel overwhelming: what kind of event suits your campsite? Where do you start? And what do you all need to consider? We’re here to provide inspiration to help you lower that barrier. Organizing an event at your campsite is not only fun, but also great for your visibility!
Owner Lisanne tells us how she seized this natural phenomenon to organize a unique event for her guests. It all started 3 years ago, when a Dutch couple asked, ‘Can we already make reservations for 2026 so we can see the solar eclipse?’ What sounded like bizarre long-term plan at the time turned into an ambitious project. Lisanne decided to search for the best spot to view the solar eclipse on 12 August 2026 - and found Peñafiel Castle as the perfect location. She made it a once-in-a-lifetime experience with this special location, snacks and drinks as well as a number of surprises. Meanwhile, there are already almost a hundred reservations for The ‘Riberduero Eclipse Event’.
Organizing an event at your campsite can offer many benefits, but it also comes challenges. Lisanne shares her experiences and provides insight into what is involved. Below, we will discuss the key components.
Before you start, determine the goal of your event and who your target audience is. This will influence choices such as location, decoration and communication. Lisanne focused her event on visitors looking for a unique experience around a solar eclipse.
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For her event, Lisanne booked a historic castle as a viewing point. This location offers perfect visibility for the solar eclipse. However, arranging this location was not easy. In Spain, planning is often at short notice, which made the long preparation time a challenge.
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Financial planning is essential when organizing an event. Lisanne asked her guests to pay two months in advance to ensure financial security. This prevents issues on the day itself and covers costs such as catering and logistics.
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Think about how to sell tickets to visitors. An online ticket service can be a great solution. This will relieve you of the workload and gives you insight into the number of expected visitors and income in advance.
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An event often requires extra hands. Lisanne enlists people from the village as volunteers in addition to her family. This not only provides a cost-effective solution, but also strengthens the connection with the local community.
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Clear communication with your guests and good logistical planning are crucial. For example, create special routes and provide detailed logistic information to guests before the event.
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An event is not just about practical matters; the guest experience is key. At the event in Spain, Lisanne combines the solar eclipse with tapas, music and an afterparty. The goal, of course, is to offer guests a complete and unforgettable experience.
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An event provides an excellent opportunity to collaborate with local entrepreneurs. This can range from caterers and wineries to local artisans. Lisanne says: ‘For example, we fill goody bags with products from small local entrepreneurs. This way, we offer our guests something unique and support local companies.’
Collaborating with local companies can have practical benefits, such as sharing resources and arranging catering. Additionally, it provides your guests with an authentic experience that connects to the region. It can sometimes be challenging to make arrangements, especially if companies are not used to long-term planning. But the results are worth the effort.
An event can set your campsite apart from others. It not only offers your guests a special experience, but also strengthens the connection with your visitors. Moreover, it allows you to promote your campsite in a unique way.
Lisanne's story shows that organizing an event can be not only challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. It requires planning, creativity and collaboraiton, but the reward is an unforgettable experience for both you and your guests.
Are you also organizing a fun event? Let us know by sending a private message to our LinkedIn.