Festivals Are Good for You – Here’s Why (Backed by Science!)

We’ll be honest—festivals are kind of our thing. While we’re proud of our own, like the upcoming Banff Craft Beer Festival (October 23–25, 2025), our love for live events runs much deeper. Festivals bring people together in powerful, meaningful ways. Beyond the music, food, beer, or art, they actually make us healthier—mentally, emotionally, and even socially.

In the spirit of celebration, here are five science-backed ways festivals can make you feel better, live better, and connect more deeply with the world around you.

1. Break Out of the Routine and Discover Fulfillment

We all know that routines can be helpful—they provide structure, lower stress, and help with productivity. But there’s a flip side: over time, a rigid routine can also lead to stagnation and a lack of fulfillment.

Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the father of the concept of “flow,” found that meaningful happiness often comes when we are fully immersed in an experience—especially novel or social ones. Festivals offer exactly that: a break from the ordinary, with the chance to explore something new, inspiring, and potentially transformative.

✨ Try this: Make attending a festival your planned “reset.” It’s a way to recharge your mental energy while stepping into an environment that fosters creativity, spontaneity, and joy.

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2. Open Your Mind to New Ideas and Experiences

Festivals are idea incubators. Whether it’s discovering a new indie band, tasting a wild new craft beer, or exploring a cultural tradition you’ve never encountered, festivals are the perfect environments for cognitive expansion.

Neuroscientific research shows that novelty boosts dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, learning, and motivation. A 2020 study published in Nature Neuroscience confirmed that experiencing something new and exciting can stimulate brain activity and support long-term happiness.

🌱 Pro tip: Treat every festival as a learning experience—talk to new people, try something unfamiliar, or attend a workshop. You might come away with more than just great memories.

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3. Form Meaningful Relationships

Festivals bring together people who are passionate about the same things—whether it’s music, food, craft beer, or local culture. And shared passions are powerful relationship builders.

A study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships found that shared activities increase interpersonal closeness, especially when those activities are associated with positive emotions. You’re not just at the same event; you’re sharing joy, discovery, and community.

❤️ The takeaway: You’re far more likely to form meaningful, lasting friendships (or more) at a festival than a typical night out. Come for the fun—leave with a few new phone numbers and possibly lifelong friends.

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4. Feel Connected to a Larger Community

Humans are wired for connection, and festivals deliver that in spades. Whether it’s dancing with strangers, participating in a group toast, or just vibing together under twinkling lights, these shared moments create a real sense of belonging.

Sociologists refer to this as “collective effervescence”—a term coined by Émile Durkheim to describe the energy and harmony people feel when they come together for a shared purpose. Recent psychological studies (such as a 2021 report in PNAS) show that communal rituals and experiences significantly enhance feelings of connection and collective identity.

🎪 Your mission: Get involved! Whether you’re volunteering, attending with friends, or just showing up solo, know that you’re part of something bigger.

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5. Have Pure, Unapologetic Fun (It’s Good for You!)

Yes, fun is serious business. Laughter, dancing, and even a little goofiness have major mental and physical benefits. Engaging in enjoyable leisure activities has been shown to lower cortisol (the stress hormone), improve cardiovascular health, and boost overall life satisfaction.

And let’s be real: festivals are one of the rare places where you can fully be yourself—or even reinvent yourself. Surrounded by people who have no expectations of who you are, you’re free to express your true (and sometimes wild) side.

🕺 Festival tip: Wear something bold, dance like nobody’s watching, and let your inner child come out. You’ll return home more grounded, more joyful, and more you.

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Final Thoughts: Choose Joy, Choose Festivals

Life is short. We owe it to ourselves to lean into joy, connection, and curiosity. Festivals aren’t just an escape—they’re an invitation to rediscover who we are when the weight of routine is lifted.

So, whether you’re headed to Banff Beerfest or another event that speaks to your soul, remember: you’re not just attending an event—you’re investing in your well-being.

All of that is what the Banff Craft Beer Festival is about so stayed tuned for more exciting information about #BanffBeerfest! Tickets launch June 16, 2025 @ 9am so get ready!

Sincerely,
Bill Robinson
President – ABF

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