How to Keep Marquees Cool in Summer
How to Keep a Marquee Cool in Summer: A Complete Guide
When planning a summer wedding, garden party, corporate event, or festival, marquees provide the perfect outdoor event space. However, with rising temperatures and long sunny days, keeping your marquee cool and comfortable is essential for guest enjoyment. At South East Marquees, we offer expert marquee hire solutions, including ventilation, shading, and cooling options to ensure your event stays refreshing and enjoyable, no matter how warm it gets.
1. Choose the Right Marquee for Hot Weather
The type of marquee you choose plays a key role in keeping guests cool. Some materials trap heat, while others promote airflow.
🌞 Clear Span marquees – Offer excellent ventilation with open sides, allowing fresh air to circulate.
🌞 Party tent marquees – Lightweight and ideal for summer events, providing shade without excessive heat retention.
🌞 White or Light-Coloured Marquees – Reflect sunlight rather than absorbing heat, keeping the interior significantly cooler.
By selecting a marquee designed for hot weather, you’ll create a more comfortable environment for guests.
2. Maximise Ventilation & Airflow
Good airflow is the key to keeping a marquee cool. Trapped hot air can quickly turn your event space into an uncomfortable greenhouse, so ensuring proper ventilation is a must.
💨 Open the Sides – Leaving marquee sides open allows fresh air to circulate while offering shade from the sun.
💨 Use Multiple Entry Points – More openings encourage cross-ventilation, keeping the air moving.
💨 Position Your Marquee Wisely – Set up in a shady spot or near natural breezes for maximum cooling effect.
For summer events in Crawley, Reigate, or Redhill, our team can help position your marquee for optimal airflow and comfort.
3. Create Shade with Marquee Linings & Accessories
Marquee linings and additional shading solutions help reduce sun exposure and create a cooler interior.
☂️ Marquee linings – Soft fabric linings add insulation and prevent heat build-up.
☂️ Side Panels with Windows – Offer shade while still allowing in natural light.
☂️ External Canopies & Gazebos – Provide extra shaded areas for lounging and refreshments.
If your event is in Lingfield or Horley, we can recommend shading options tailored to your location and time of day.
4. Use Cooling Equipment
For larger events, investing in cooling equipment can make a huge difference in maintaining guest comfort.
🆒 Fans & Air Movers – Industrial fans can circulate air and create a cooling breeze inside the marquee.
🆒 Evaporative Coolers – These units use water to produce cool air, making them an effective eco-friendly option.
🆒 Portable Air Conditioning – For high-end events like corporate functions or weddings, air conditioning can keep temperatures low all day long.
We provide cooling solutions for marquee hire in Oxted, Burgess Hill, and beyond, ensuring your event stays fresh and comfortable.
5. Plan Smart Seating & Event Layout
The way you set up your event can influence how heat is distributed inside the marquee.
🪑 Use Light-Coloured Seating & Tables – Dark furniture absorbs heat, while lighter tones keep things cool.
🪑 Create Chill Zones – Set up shaded lounge areas outside the marquee for a refreshing escape.
🪑 Space Out Seating – Avoid overcrowding to allow for better airflow around tables and chairs.
For garden parties in Haywards Heath or summer weddings in Reigate, we can help with seating plans that enhance guest comfort.
6. Offer Refreshing Drinks & Cooling Treats
Nothing beats a cold drink on a hot summer day, so making hydration stations easily accessible is a must.
🍹 Drinks bar hire – Stock with ice-cold drinks, mocktails, and summer refreshments.
🍦 Ice Cream & Sorbet Stations – A fun way to keep guests cool while adding to the event experience.
💧 Water Dispensers & Chilled Drinks – Encourage hydration to keep everyone feeling fresh.
We can supply drinks bar setups for events in Horsham and Banstead, ensuring your guests stay hydrated throughout the day.
7. Light Up Your Marquee for Evening Comfort
As the sun sets, summer events transition into cooler, relaxed evenings, making the right lighting essential for setting the mood.
💡 Marquee lighting and electricals – Soft lighting creates a welcoming summer atmosphere.
💡 Fairy Lights & Lanterns – Add warmth without generating excess heat.
💡 LED Uplighting – A great energy-efficient option for evening entertainment.
For weddings, festivals, and corporate events in Billingshurst or East Grinstead, we can create a cool, inviting ambience with the perfect lighting setup.
8. Book a Summer-Ready Marquee with South East Marquees
At South East Marquees, we provide tailored marquee hire solutions to ensure your summer event is cool, comfortable, and unforgettable.
✔️ Marquees designed for summer – Well-ventilated and weather-proof structures.
✔️ Full setup & takedown – Stress-free event planning.
✔️ Cooling solutions available – Fans, air movers, shaded areas, and more.
✔️ Serving Surrey & Sussex – Covering Horley, Oxted, Lingfield, and beyond.
Plan Your Summer Event Today!
Don’t let the heat spoil your celebration—hire a summer-ready marquee with South East Marquees and create the perfect shaded, stylish, and comfortable event space. Contact us today to discuss your marquee hire needs!