Eurovision 2024 is fast approaching. And with chart-topper Olly Alexander representing the UK, two Swedish superstars on hosting duties, and a special ABBA anniversary to celebrate, this year’s event is shaping up to be one of the most memorable in the competition’s 68-year history.
The annual song contest is taking place in Malmö, Sweden, and if last year’s viewing figures are any indication, more than 160 million people worldwide will tune in to the three live shows.
So what does this mean for organisers? Eurovision’s loyal and diverse audience (who are always ready for a good time) grows annually and includes everyone from superfans who travel to the host city to dedicated viewers Down Under who set their alarm clocks for the early hours.
“Eurovision is like one big family,” says Sophie Van de Moortel, whose Brighton-based walking tour company is getting in on the fun this year. “Everyone is super enthusiastic and likes to have a good time.
“It doesn’t matter who you are and where you are from, it is very inclusive and it is a time where everyone seems to be united.”
In our 2024 Music and Nightlife Trends Report, we explored how tapping into big fan bases can be a great way to grow your brand—and few fan bases are more dedicated than Eurovision’s.
Here’s how to make sure your Eurovision event hits the high note.
Screenings that stand out from the crowd
In the coming weeks, thousands of Eurovision fans will be searching for places to watch a live screening of the grand final on Saturday, 11 May. Competition will be fierce, so you’ll need to make sure you’re offering something special to pull in the crowds. As the main event is a four-hour live show, Eurovision is the very definition of a marathon, not a sprint.
YouTuber and influencer Alessia Michelle is part of the EurovisionFam collective, which is hosting screenings for the second year running. She has a three-item checklist for a successful watch party. “Good sound, good vibes, and good snacks are the main ingredients,” she says. “Costumes are totally optional but strongly encouraged.
“Flags are a great way of proclaiming support for your favourite entry, but I like to get creative and find the national beer or official dish to cheer on my favourite entries.”
Boxpark Croydon, in south London, is taking an eclectic approach for its pop-fabulous finale bash and handing over the reins to the Club de Fromage gang. The hosts will lead singalongs, judge dance-offs, and take to the stage themselves during the contest’s gaps. It’s set to be quite the party.
READ MORE: 25 Community Event Ideas to Bring Your People Together
Booking a former Eurovision act for a special appearance or performance is a great way to attract fans—and you don’t need to secure a winner or spend big bucks on a chart-topping act. If anything, when it comes to Eurovision, the more niche, the better.
As well as offering food, bingo, and cabaret, Liverpool drag promoters FunnyBoyz have booked the UK’s 2003 entry Jemini (who scored the dreaded nil points, but are still beloved by the Eurovision community) for a special appearance at their grand final celebrations.
“We’re a unique drag experience,” says Linda Gold, FunnyBoyz Owner & Founder. “FunnyBoyz isn’t just a show, but an interactive experience from the moment you walk in until you leave.”
Eurovision’s global popularity means organisers worldwide can say “Good evening, Europe!” too.
Over in the States—where the Eurovision final is a Saturday afternoon event—NYC’s biggest Eurovision watch party, hosted by Matchmaker Maria, will have a ‘70s theme in a nod to the fact that ABBA won the Song Contest with Waterloo 50 years ago.
In Australia, Eurovision usually starts airing live at 5am on a Sunday morning – but that doesn’t stop 2.7 million people Down Under from tuning in. Why not make like Brisbane German Club and let everyone enjoy their Sunday lie-in before screening the final ‘as live’ later in the day? Attendees at their classy but camp Eurovision cocktail party will be offered bubbles on arrival and enjoy a performance from a mystery special guest—and costumes are, of course, strongly encouraged.
It’s Brisbane German Club’s third year running their Annual Eurovision event. When asked to share what makes them stand out from the competition, Events and Service Manager Hugo Diegues said: “By being focused on our unique theme, delivering quality all night long, providing a seamless experience.”
In order to run a successful Eurovision event, it’s important to understand and reflect the competition’s inclusive values. “Know what Eurovision is all about, don’t be scared to be different. Go for it and do it!”
It’s not just about the final
While the ‘big five’—France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom—and host country Sweden will automatically qualify for the grand final, the other countries will battle it out for the remaining 20 places on Tuesday 7 and Thursday 9 May.
Alessia’s EurovisionFam collective is hosting semi-final watch parties at LGBTQIA+ space As You Are in Washington, DC, and she loves bringing together a community that usually interacts online.
“Last year, folks were excited to connect during the show in real time as opposed to watching home alone,” she says. “Eurovision brings people together with the unifying magic of music.
“[The crowd is] a mix of music lovers, political nerds, musical theater kids, geopolitical theorists, musicians, and more. There is no typical Eurovision fan.”
Down Under, the Aussie branch of the official Eurovision Fan Club Association goes one step further than semi-final screenings. Weeks before the acts will even jet into Malmö, they’re bringing together like-minded fans at their annual pre-parties. Taking place in Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, the community-focused events give attendees the chance to connect and watch the 2024 entries on the big screen before voting for their favourites.
Think outside the box
While the live shows are undeniably must-watch events, organisers can be creative and offer something a little different as Eurovision mania sweeps across the globe.
In the city where ABBA made Eurovision history, Tours of Brighton usually caters to hen and stag parties, or groups of friends. For May, they’ve put together a family-friendly ABBA-themed dance tour that will run daily throughout the week of the finals and offer attendees the chance to boogie down the iconic Lanes and have a dose of local history.
“We have a musical artist who is leading the dance, and she is just brilliant,” Tours of Brighton owner Sophie says. “It’s very inclusive and a fun way to discover a city and just ‘let go’ of everything.”
The Church Pub in Birmingham, England, is getting in the spirit of things nice and early on 1 May with the Great Big Eurovision Question Contest—a quiz night where teams will be hoping they don’t end up at the dreaded bottom end of the table.
And on Saturdays throughout April and May, Swedish-British RuPaul’s Drag Race sensation Antonina Nutshell is hosting ABBA-themed brunches (complete with twerk-offs and lip sync battles) at Blundells Supper Club in Liverpool.
On the final day itself, Eurovision lovers in London can kick things off with a pop–themed walking tour, which includes a stop at a historic Eurovision venue. Meanwhile, down in Brighton, Sober Bright Huns—a collective that celebrates clubbing without the booze—is taking over the LGBTQ+ club Revenge for an afternoon of alcohol-free fun.
So what are you waiting for? Get the bunting out, the costumes ready, and the Europop playlist on. It’s time for an unforgettable Eurovision.
