There’s nothing worse than an awards night that feels flat. Guests are dressed up, the drinks are flowing, the spotlight’s on achievement, yet the atmosphere drops the minute a speech ends. We’ve seen it happen countless times: a big applause, the winner returns to their seat, and then silence. Suddenly, people are whispering to their table neighbours or scrolling through their phones.
That’s where entertainment comes in. Between the formalities is where the night can really shine. With smart planning, you can turn what would’ve been dead air into highlights people talk about for years to come.
Why the Lulls Matter
Don’t Let Energy Dip After an Award
Momentum at an awards night is fragile. After each award is presented, there’s a risk that the mood falls flat if nothing follows. Once energy dips, it’s not easy to recover. Guests relax into side chatter, and suddenly the room feels distracted. If the program is long, that effect only compounds.
The solution is to treat every gap with as much care as the main set pieces. Even if it’s a five-second pause, you can fill it with music, a witty comment from the MC, or a splash of visual movement on screen. Those tiny details stop the slide into silence.
What Your Crowd Actually Needs
Audiences don’t want non-stop spectacle. What they respond to is variety. A rhythm that alternates between emotion, humour, spectacle, and surprise keeps them engaged without exhausting them. A burst of upbeat music after a serious speech, or a quick laugh after a long presentation, refreshes the atmosphere. It’s about balance—the right beat at the right time.
Emcee with Spark, Not Script
A Host Who Feels Like One of Us
A professional MC isn’t just a voice on stage; they’re the thread that ties the night together. A host who feels genuine and relaxed keeps the audience leaning in. The best are those who can improvise when the moment calls for it—handling delays, engaging with winners, and slipping in humour without derailing the program.
It’s also worth considering your audience when choosing the right event MC. A corporate crowd might respond better to a comedian with clever, industry-relevant wit. At the same time, a community gala may suit a more heartfelt, personable style.
Funny Touches That Break Up Monotony
The magic of humour at awards nights lies in its timing. A quick quip after a lengthy thank-you speech, or a playful audience poll mid-way through the evening, breaks tension and resets attention. Done well, it makes the night feel effortless, like everything is flowing naturally—even if it’s been carefully rehearsed.
Micro-Performances
Compact Live Acts That Snag Eyes
Think of these as little bursts of colour. When it comes to musician hire, jazz trio bursting into a recognisable tune, a brass band leading the audience in a clap-along, or a dance troupe delivering a two-minute showcase—all of these inject life without dragging the night out.
Short performances are particularly effective in maintaining smooth table service. While staff clear plates or refill glasses, a small act such an acoustic duo on stage distracts and entertains, keeping attention where you want it, rather than on the clatter of cutlery.
Aerialists, Magicians, Storytellers
Adding in surprise moments creates anticipation. A magician inviting an award winner on stage for a trick, or an aerialist swooping across the stage between categories, dramatically lifts the energy. Storytelling acts—such as spoken word, live art, or cultural performances—can also be used to creatively and engagingly acknowledge the theme or values of the night. These moments make the event unique, not just another ceremony.
Play with Your Audience (and Their Phones)
Live Polls, Quizzes and Games
Interactivity is a game-changer. Even a five-minute audience quiz can bring laughter and friendly rivalry back into the room. Polls about industry trends, predictions for the night, or “who do you think will win?” questions give guests a sense that they’re part of the show, not just watching it unfold.
These can be low-tech, too. A quick show of hands, coloured cards on tables, or cheering competitions by section of the room are just as effective as app-based systems. The goal is to break up passive viewing with moments of play.
Social Hashtag Moments
Awards nights are social media gold, so make the most of them. Encourage guests to post by offering photogenic backdrops, live hashtag walls, or competitions for the best selfie. Not only does this keep people engaged, but it also spreads your event’s reach beyond the room. A well-timed social challenge mid-show can spark a wave of posts that instantly lifts energy.
Visual Storytelling Between Speeches
Brief Videos and Highlights
Instead of speech after speech, break things up with short, professionally produced videos. A nominee reel, a sponsor highlight, or a montage of achievements adds depth while giving the audience something visual. Keep them tight—no more than two minutes—and always pair them with music that matches the mood.
Words That Echo
For something more artistic, spoken-word vignettes or poetic performances can mark transitions beautifully. They bring the focus back to the stage in a way that feels unexpected and fresh. When woven into the theme of the evening, these moments can become some of the most memorable of the night, serving as a special guest experience.
Match Entertainment to Your Venue’s Vibe
Transform Large Spaces with Grand Acts
Big ballrooms demand bold choices. Think aerial silk performers, drumlines marching through the crowd, or large-scale projection shows. These not only match the scale of the room, but they also make use of its grandeur. Guests expect spectacle in a space like this—meeting that expectation makes the event feel cohesive.
Subtle Magic in Intimate Rooms
In smaller venues, less is more. Acoustic musicians strolling between tables, close-up magicians performing table-side, or a cabaret act interacting with the front row can feel much more appropriate. Here, intimacy is the advantage—you can create personal, unforgettable moments that would be lost in a large space.
Energise the Finale
Party-Start Performers or Bands
The finale is your chance to flip the switch from formality to celebration. The moment the last award is given, the tone should shift. A live band or DJ that hits the right track straight away can pull people onto the dance floor before they even think about leaving their table.
Flash After-Party Entertainment
Not everyone is a dancer, and that’s fine. Secondary entertainment options—like flair bartenders, roving characters, or lounge performers—give those who prefer to mingle a way to stay entertained. The key is to create pockets of atmosphere that make every guest feel included in the after-party vibe.
Pull It All Together
Crafting an Engaging Agenda
The strongest awards nights are the ones with flow. This doesn’t happen by accident—it comes from planning. Alternate speeches with entertainment, keep transitions tight, and use your MC to bridge any gaps. Think of the night like a piece of music, with moments of energy, calm, surprise, and release.
Keep Attention, Then Release It
Ultimately, what guests remember isn’t the running order, it’s how they felt throughout the night. By treating every in-between moment as an opportunity, you not only avoid the dreaded lull but also create an event that feels alive from beginning to end. And when the formalities are over, you release them into celebration, already on a high.
Quick Snapshot of Ideas
| Moment between speeches | Entertainment idea | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| After an award | Quick MC riff | Keeps focus on stage |
| Lull in program | Short live act | Restores attention |
| Audience drifting | Live poll or quiz | Brings guests back in |
| Speech transitions | Video or spoken-word | Adds emotional rhythm |
| Closing moments | Band or DJ | Sends the night off with energy |
Ready to Keep the Energy High?
An awards night should feel like a celebration from start to finish, not just during the big speeches. With a mix of stage presence, live entertainment, audience involvement, and clever pacing, the whole night stays alive and memorable.
If you’re planning your next awards night and want entertainment that keeps the room buzzing, get in touch with Onstage Entertainment. We’ll help make sure the energy never dips!
