Screens, scrolling, and endless schedules: it’s no wonder event-goers are looking to get away from it all and take a much-needed deep breath.
Wild Escapism is one of the key event trends emerging from our TRNDS 2025 annual forecasting guide, where we survey event organisers and consumers from across the globe.
And we heard it loud and clear: people are desperate to break free from the pressures (and tedium) of modern life and reconnect with nature in a big way. Three in five consumers told us they want to connect with and immerse themselves in nature — and 77% are willing to pay more for such events.
From off-grid retreats and forest bathing to survivalist challenges and group hiking, event-goers are seeking transformational experiences championing freedom, exploration, and community. And, frankly, we don’t blame them.
Organisers are stepping up, too, with 34% believing consumers attend their events to escape everyday life and improve their well-being. Hiking events have increased 87% year on year on Eventbrite, with rafting, climbing, and kayaking also seeing a considerable rise in popularity.
But how can you make your events stand out in 2025? We’ve searched the Eventbrite platform for the most unique and compelling wild escapism events to help inspire your planning and marketing efforts.
How to plan — and promote — a wild escapism event
Choose a unique location
To truly get away from it all, your attendees need more than a walk in the park. While you might not have miles of wild coastline to explore, thinking outside the box in terms of location will help set your event apart.
Ask yourself: What natural beauty is unique to your local area? Where can you feasibly ask guests to travel to? What considerations, such as seasons and weather, do you need to consider when planning?
We Explore Earth hosts an 8-week hiking programme exploring the most iconic mountains in California, while helping attendees get stronger, more confident, and better connected to nature. They also host multiple active road trips involving sunrise hikes, wild swimming, and camping in spectacular national parks, such as Yosemite.
As the largest cycle tourism operator in Southern Australia, Bike SA knows a thing or two about location sourcing. Each year they host an annual 9-day cycling tour exploring areas of the region chosen for their spectacular landscapes and challenging terrain. In 2025, they’ll explore 450km of South Australia’s Riverlands, complete with meandering waterways and stunning natural beauty. Previous tours have covered Kangaroo Island and the Limestone Coast.
Promotional ideas:
- Release coordinates on your social media to tease your location.
- Use epic snaps from previous events to show off Mother Nature.
- Turn location scouting into a community building opportunity by asking people to share recommendations of where to go next. You could host a free ticket giveaway as an incentive to take part.
Offer a range of activities
Getting outdoors isn’t one-size-fits-all; while some event-goers might be in their Bear Grylls era, others will prefer a luxury woodland retreat.
The trick is to cater for your audience — and if you’re still trying to build yours, offer a range of activities over a single event or an event series and see what works best.
Stuck on where to start? You’re not alone. Partner with local professionals, such as meditation practitioners or survivalist experts, to bring something unique to your event. This will help you tap into their network to spread the word, too.
For the ultimate survivalist event, look no further than The SOS Challenge by Owl Eyes Wilderness Survival. Part of the unique appeal is the range of activities available (and that it’s open to all ages). The three-day event teaches everything from making rope out of plants, building snare traps, and map skills.
For something slower and more spiritual, The Forest Bathing Institute can provide good inspiration. Their events offer guided sensory exercises to help attendees fully immerse themselves in nature. Meanwhile, Off-Grid Retreats offers a range of events including activities such as meditation, guided walks, musical performances, and delicious meals.
Promotional ideas:
- Lean into the variety with quirky social posts, such as releasing a packing essentials list.
- Showcase the range of activities across events by using Eventbrite Collections.
- Conduct pre and post-event surveys to find out what your audience really wants.
Focus on community
People crave connection and shared experiences. Position yourself as more than just an event, but a community of adventure seekers and nature lovers.
Muslim Hikers’ mission is to make the outdoors more accessible and inclusive, and their events attract Muslims and non-Muslims from around the world. Their social accounts put attendees front and centre, and their event growth has been exponential.
She Jumps and Women Want Adventure are outdoor and adventure-focused communities for women. Their events are marketed as safe, non-judgmental spaces welcoming complete beginners to seasoned adventurers. Both organisers’ action-packed social accounts are full of joy and belonging, giving a brilliant preview of what attendees can expect at the events.
Promotional ideas:
- Leverage community stories by featuring attendees in your marketing.
- To get the vibes going before the event, create an online community with Facebook groups, Discord channels, or private Whatsapp groups.
- Offer discounts for group tickets to encourage people to bring friends along.
Create a wow factor
Think about what unique elements could add extra sparkle to your event to set it apart. The timing of an event can be crucial: can it coincide with a seasonal celebration or cultural moment?
Consider tapping into your network or local community to find collaborators to bring something unique. Whether it’s a local artist, chef or business, the right partnerships can transform your event.
Talking of timing, Big Heart Adventures hosts Full Moon Hikes across the Adelaide Hills in South Australia. Their events are open to all (provided attendees have some hiking experience) and are designed to challenge, fulfil and connect adventurous hikers.
Achieving that wow factor doesn’t need to be physically challenging, as violinist Will Taylor proves. His Strings In The Woods nature walks double as acoustic concerts and, if reviews are anything to go by, the results are magical.
Promotional ideas:
- Engage with influencers who share your values and invite them along to showcase your event.
- Repost positive reviews on your social accounts and website.
- Seek media coverage from travel blogs and local publishers.
- Invest in a professional photographer or content creator to capture your event.
