Festivals & Large-Scale Events

Festival & Pop-Up Catering

Great Performances is the behind-the-scenes partner for some of New York City’s most visible and high-energy public events. From multi-day food and wine festivals to outdoor concerts, cultural celebrations, and brand activations, we deliver culinary creativity and operational precision at scale. Our teams bring vibrant menus, thoughtful service, and seamless coordination to experiences that entertain, excite, and engage thousands of guests.

With decades of experience in large-format production, we understand the complexity of festivals and pop-ups — from mobile kitchens and vendor management to permitting, staffing, and intricate run-of-show schedules. Whether we’re powering a single-day activation or a citywide program, we bring the people, systems, and passion to make it all feel effortless.

Expertise in Large-Scale Events

Festival environments demand ingenuity, flexibility, and impeccable logistics. Our culinary, production, and service teams work in harmony to support high-volume, high-impact events with speed, consistency, and creativity. We partner with cultural institutions, media brands, major sponsors, and event producers to bring ambitious concepts to life — on time, on budget, and on brand.

Culinary Innovation at Scale

Our chefs create menus that are flavorful, portable, and designed for fast-paced environments without compromising quality. We blend modern American and globally inspired dishes with seasonal ingredients, including produce from Katchkie Farm, to craft offerings that perform beautifully in festival conditions. Whether we’re serving thousands of portions in rapid succession or producing premium experiences for VIP guests, our food remains vibrant, delicious, and memorable.

High-Volume Service & Exceptional Consistency

Large-scale events require precision and rhythm. Our trained service teams operate efficiently across multiple stations, queues, or service zones, ensuring steady flow and guest satisfaction. With deep experience in outdoor environments, raw spaces, and temporary structures, we manage everything from refrigeration to food safety to on-site coordination — all while maintaining GP’s hallmark hospitality.

Creative Activations & Seamless Production

Festivals and pop-ups thrive on energy, engagement, and creativity. Our design, marketing, and culinary teams collaborate to build experiences that surprise and delight guests — from custom-branded stations to thematic food moments and chef-driven demonstrations. We pair imaginative thinking with the operational strength needed to bring those ideas to life in dynamic settings.

Brand-Forward Pop-Ups & Activations

We work with partners to develop custom concepts that showcase their identity and amplify audience engagement. From one-day product launches and chef takeovers to recurring series and immersive food experiences, we design activations that draw attention, spark conversation, and deliver memorable moments. Every detail — signage, styling, presentation, flow — is carefully considered to strengthen the story you want to tell.

Proven Production for NYC’s Biggest Festivals

Great Performances has supported some of the city’s most iconic events, including major food festivals, outdoor concert series, and cultural celebrations. Our production team manages load-in/load-out, permitting, transportation, vendor relationships, mobile kitchen infrastructure, and on-the-ground coordination. We thrive in complexity and are committed to making large-scale logistics feel smooth, safe, and expertly executed.

Festival & Pop-Up Inspiration

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