How to do Cannes Lions without a festival pass: our pick of the fringe

Your flights are booked, you've found a friend's sofa to crash on, and the sun cream and Birkenstocks are in the bag. Now what?

With more than 1,000 fringe events taking place across the week at one of the biggest creative events on the calendar, it can be difficult to know where to start at Cannes Lions. We've picked a handful that don't require a festival pass and are worth adding to your schedule.

However, if you want the full experience, access to all the talks, and easier networking opportunities, it's worth considering the Student, Creator, or Start-up badges.

Curated by Design

I wrote about Brian Collins and COLLINS House last year. As someone who waxes lyrical about talent over followers, it's one of the places I'm most excited to return to. Brian has built a reputation for championing talent over status, and last year, COLLINS House was recommended to me more than any other place.

The no-lanyards approach means conversations start with curiosity rather than job titles. A particular shoutout goes to the Tuesday PM session, Pantone Presents: Golden Hour. Pantone, colour stories, designers, sunset views over Cannes and hopefully a few conversations that make you rethink your own work.

Pound the Pavement

If networking over exercise is more your jam, there are multiple walks and runs happening across the week.

One of the friendliest is the Cannes Lions Run Club. A 5K morning run along the Croisette organised by Shakuri Studios in partnership with Trailblazers Sweatworking Club. The pace is built for conversation rather than competition and runs Monday to Thursday throughout the festival.

Global majority creatives

Inkwell Beach was built to create the kind of space many people felt was missing from Cannes. Founded in 2019 as the festival's first inclusion-focused beach activation, its mission is simple: make people feel welcome and included in the conversation.

This year's theme is "License to Lead: Reclaiming the Art of Storytelling", and the atmosphere tends to be less about collecting business cards and more about the people, stories and perspectives shaping the future of the industry.

It brings together diverse creatives, marketers and culture-shapers, creating space for conversations that don't always happen on the main stages. Expect panels, networking and programming throughout the day.

Pinterest

Is it just me, or does everyone have lovely things to say about Pinterest? Pinterest has worked with independent creators in its activations for years. While some houses can feel geared toward people with enormous followings, Pinterest has always felt welcoming to indie creators.

This year, you can get a tattoo. Yes, really. Sephora salon if you fancy a bleach touch-up, and the Pinterest Patisserie, which turns your personal style into a bespoke sweet treat. I'm sensing a sensory theme emerging from this year's activations.

Adobe Studio

You can usually tell how seriously a company takes creativity by how many places they show up at Cannes, and Adobe is everywhere this year.

Alongside Adobe Studio at Le Majestic, you'll find the team at Creator Beach, SPORT BEACH, the Pinterest Manifestival, LinkedIn's Profile Studio and a hands-on experience outside the Palais with Walt Disney Imagineering and L'Oréal. There is even an Adobe Boutique offering what they describe as the ultimate creative journey through Cannes.

If your week revolves around design, content creation or creative technology, you'll probably cross paths with Adobe more than once.

Canva Creative Cabana

Canva is a more welcoming space for freelancers, founders, and small business owners who need to wear multiple hats. There are no hidden activities or passes required; all are welcome if registered. Canva has tripled its space from last year and will include a gelateria and a Pride Party.

Expect a mix of creator-economy conversations, design-focused programming, and practical discussions for people building businesses without huge teams behind them – all alongside activations that bring AI into action.

Creators & Culture

Hot tip from Fiona Hughes, EVP of Media & Influence at Allison Worldwide, as a stunning space with loads going on and creators on every single panel. Creators & Culture are running the culture village, a villa set apart from the main festival chaos.

It's a fab line-up that will look at how creators are shaping campaigns rather than simply promoting them.

World Woman Foundation

Cannes is brilliant. It can also occasionally feel like listening to the same people talk to each other.

The World Woman Foundation programme brings together diverse voices, stories, and perspectives through discussions on creativity, storytelling, film, innovation, and representation.

The Power of Presence: Building Experiences Bigger Than the Screen

If you're interested in building things offline, I'd put this talk from the UTA beach on your list for Thursday afternoon.

Kerrie Finch from AKA joins Pinterest, STURDY., Rocket Mortgage and United Talent Agency to discuss why real-world experiences continue to create the strongest connections in an increasingly digital world.

They're talking Bad Bunny's Puerto Rico residency, the Super Bowl, Coachella and what happens when people experience something together rather than through a screen.