Femme Fest 2025 was a delightful sensory experience, thanks to fun cocktails, making new friends and vibing to great music.
The pleasures of Femme Fest 2025 were many, starting with the delightful set up at this year’s edition. The the 2025 edition festival was themed “Wonderland” and featured a fun, playful and energetic vibe. Pernod Ricard’s immersive brand experiences (Beefeater Pink, Absolut Watermelon & Ballantine’s) emphasised and added a delightful touch to the overall feel of the festival.
A wonderland of style and sound
When I first arrived, not a lot of activity had begun, so I had a chance to move around and experience the space. The spatial and experiential details were charming. The first thing that caught my attention was the food court. Called Kewa’s Dream Kitchen, the booths were divided by cuisines; with American, Nigerian, Italian and Jamaican. Completely pink, it looked like a love child between the set of Barbie and Bridgerton, it was adorable.
Beefeater Pink: Flirty fun
Spearheading the display was a Beefeater stand, photo booth and bar. The flirty fun of the Beefeater Pink’s brand was apparent in every detail; from the pink photo booth that decorated with flowers, to the menu design at the bar. I had one of the cocktails later in the evening; a fresh, fun take on the classic G&T featuring Beefeater Pink. This was one of my favourite booths, it fitted right into the wonderland, fun, flirty vibe of the event. It was clearly a favourite for the girlies as well, as the booth was never empty as the night wore on.
Exploring further into the venue, I discovered several vendors — all women-owned businesses of course — under the pavilion, with fabulous items for sale. There was something for everyone, with items like beaded bags and piercing jewellery to stick on nails.
Absolut Watermelon: Creative cocktails
Absolut Watermelon, also had an immersive brand booth where they allowed guests to explore their creativity through mini-spi and paints, sipping on drinks like the Cosmopolitan and the Absolut Watermelon Lemonade, which were the perfect festival companion.
My favourite thing about Ballantine’s Scotch Whiskey’s booth was the water dispenser that said “Drink more water” showcasing genuine care for guests and attendees. These hydration stations were available throughout the festival, reminding guests to stay refreshed and hydrated, even while partying.
Honouring African women in music: “The Pioneers, The Vanguard and The Future”
On the open field in front of the pavilion was the stage, where the artists were set to perform later that night. Speaking of artists, one of my favourite things at Femme Fest 2025 was the Culture Custodian and Spotify’s “The Pioneers, The Vanguard and The Future” installation. A tribute to the excellence of African women in music, it featured images of the pioneers of music like Onyeka Onwenu, Miriam Makeba, Sasha P and Christy Essien Igbokwe. “The Vanguard” featured the hottest women in music right now, like Tems and Ayra Starr; while “The Future” had the newer sensations like Qing Madi and BLNDE, some of who were set to perform at Femme Fest 2025.
It was an interactive installation that let people walk through and experience the different time periods and read about these women. I made a new friend at Kewa’s Dream Kitchen, and as she and I walked through the installation, we discussed how important and timely it was. I enjoyed this installation thoroughly, especially as a woman who loves to see women being celebrated.
Memorable moments at Femme Fest 2025
The evening wore on and the party started in full swing, with the incredibly energetic emcee Mia working the crowd like the expert she is. DJ Kiss also expertly manoeuvred during her set, delivering delightful transitions and great music. Her set was followed by performances by Qing Madi, BLNDE, Deto Black, KOLD AF and many others.
Femme Fest 2025 was fun and fabulous. Pernod Ricard brands striking a thoughtful balance, providing tempting cocktails and fun beverages while strongly encouraging responsible drinking and hydration for guest safety. Their immersive brand experiences brought a delightful edge to the event and helped guests create memorable moments.
