Emmy Awards 2024: Jaw-Dropping Event Designs From Netflix, HBO | Max, Disney, and More

The Television Academy's own Governors Gala is a must-see for many A-listers. The event—once again designed and produced by Sequoia Productions under the direction of the Television Academy and SVP of event production Barb Held—was themed "Elegance in Motion" and held at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Event design was inspired by the Television Academy’s key art depicting the iconic Emmy statuette among "colorful swirls of pulsating movement, reflecting the dynamism of motion and progressive rhythm," according to Sequoia Productions.

The gala featured more than 200 fabric panels suspended from the ceiling in undulating patterns and hues. They were illuminated into motion via 700 multicolor LED lights and other effects. In the center of the room, a golden Emmy statuette reached 24 feet above the floor. It was positioned on a custom-designed revolving platform to amplify the theme of movement and rhythm.

The gala was also divided into eight “colorblocked” areas, each reflecting a different hue via specific color choices of tablecloths, napkins, carpeting, lighting, and florals—470 floral arrangements, to be exact. CJ Matsumoto & Sons handled florals, which included hundreds of anthuriums, phalaenopsis, and lilies painted a coral blue.

Over the course of three nights—both the main Emmys night and the preceding Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sept. 7 and 8—nearly 8,000 guests enjoyed thousands of small plates from 450 chefs. In addition, four celebrity chefs personally prepared their specialties—which included vegan falafel, white corn agnolotti, and sirloin meatballs—at dedicated buffets.

Rentals came from Bright Event Rentals, Hire Elegance, Edge Design and Decor, Event Carpet Pro, Barker Decor, Dazian, and Revelry Event Designers. Studio Left handled art direction, Bill Ferrell Company handled design and construction, Matt Ringer served as technical director, and ShowPro handled audio and lighting. Catering, celebrity chefs, and beverages were under the direction of Sarah Bencivenga.

Disney and its associated brands—including ABC, FX, and Hulu—gathered post-Emmys at The Music Center in downtown Los Angeles for an "Avant Garde Alfresco" bash on the venue's newly renovated Jerry Moss Plaza. Designers and producers Sterling Engagements were inspired by The Music Center, art, and a sophisticated residential and stylized aesthetic.

"I knew I wanted to integrate some different colors, elements, and approaches with our new venue, and this year’s look came to me so organically," says Alexandra Rembac, founder and creative director for Sterling Engagements. "I wanted to embrace being outdoors and surrounded in downtown with organic greenery and accents to soften the surrounding perimeter, yet embrace the essence of where we were—a performing arts center and hub."

Sterling Engagements worked with Enso Creative on floral design and fabrication, including on this stunner of an entrance piece. "The arrivals moment we wanted to keep very clean with neutrals to set the tone for the entrance and let guests and talent be our color," says Rembac. "We integrated white blossom trees alongside smilax, magnolia, white cherry blossoms, and calcynia."

Jackson Shrub Supply provided trees; Bright Event Rentals, Revelry Event Designers, and Epic Party Team provided rentals; and Avalon Tent provided tenting services. This was the first time a tent had been installed on the Jerry Moss Plaza, "especially with the vison and stature we were proposing," Rembac says.

Amber Event Production handled lighting, chandeliers, draping, wood cladding on the tent, and planter box fabrication. "Based off of the location, we were faced with having to add 40—yes, that’s right!—ballast systems to our tent structure that, at largest, were 7 feet wide by 14 feet long and absolutely hideous," Rembac says. "Based on the location of them, we couldn’t hedge around nor drape, so we were tasked with designing around them in a compact yet still attractive way. We fabricated custom planter boxes that were filled with an assortment of greenery, plants, and unique textures to appear as they already existed, just like the signature trees within the plaza."

"In collaboration with Shannon Warner Events this year for F&B, Disney, on-site Hope & Grand Events, and our team integrated the most incredible edible food moments," Rembac says. One of those moments: soft serve from Hokey Pokey LA.

Guests were offered tray-passed espresso shots upon arrival at the top of the stairs, using some of the featured spirit brands of the evening. There was a zero-proof option as well. The shots were meant to "give guests a true fuel and fire-up moment before officially entering what became one epic celebration," Rembac says.

Johnnie Walker, the official spirits partner of this year's Emmys, was on hand offering burger pairings with its cocktails. The one pictured here: a bison burger with an onion ring, bacon, and blackberry barbecue sauce made by Pyet Despain of Next Level Chef.

Netflix dominated this year's Emmy nominations, receiving 107 nods for titles like Baby Reindeer, Griselda, Ripley, and The Crown. To celebrate, the streamer hosted a pre-Emmys toast the night before the ceremony on Sept. 14 at LAVO for executives and nominees. Guests entered to a backlit logo on a natural beige wood piece built into the wall. The event was produced and designed by westhaus.

"Our theme was inspired by a concept of quiet luxury," says westhaus owner and creative director Weston Garret Gonzalez. "Our goal was to design a space with organic, earth-driven textures and natural tones that curated a sense of elegance, warmth, and sophistication."

"We wanted the branding to feel like it blended within the space," Gonzalez says. (Can you spot the perfectly hued Netflix N's?)

Bar menus were printed on Lucite acrylic and suspended on the lanterns around the bar.

Servers carried the menu items printed directly on linen napkins draped over their arms.

Because the hero moment of the evening was a toast, westhaus opted to fabricate a custom stage made of clad beige wood with a sisal carpet top and downlit wood-finished steps.

Following the Emmys ceremony, Netflix talent and executives let loose at an after-party produced and designed by Gold Sky Productions. Founder and creative director April Luca says the theme was "Underground Opulence," a concept from the Netflix events, marketing, and PR teams. The event, held at a warehouse in Hollywood, featured a design that embraced the industrial brick and concrete building while layering in luxurious materials like velvet, marble, silks, and satins. A showstopping element? This gold dance floor. Other standout details included 14-foot trees and dangling crystal chandeliers that mimicked the willowing of the tree branches.

The arrival moment featured 1,800 flickering candles, a classical pianist playing pop hits at a grand piano, and a 7-foot gold N inlaid with over 300 candles.

Along with olive trees, abstract tree branches accented the space and were projected onto an 80-foot-long main entry wall, giving off a soft, amber glow.

Upon entry, this bone white and gold shelving housed the "shoe valet," where guests could trade high heels for branded sherpa slippers. The slippers were displayed in warm white lighting alongside monochromatic books as props.

A martini lounge featured three varieties of the classic cocktail: dirty, Vesper, and chocolate espresso. Also on offer was a zero-proof martini topped with passion fruit bubbly.

On Sunday night, HBO | Max hosted a star-studded after-party in celebration of the ceremony and the streaming service's six wins at the San Vicente Bungalows. Produced and designed by Bespoke Bohéme, the event featured a monochromatic step-and-repeat.

"The HBO | Max team had been inspired by this incredible terra-cotta palette from a recent trip to Paris that we all fell in love with," says Kate Mazzuca, founder, creative director, and executive producer for Bespoke Bohéme. "We worked together to develop an environmental design stemming from the richness of that hue, starting with our recessed Roman Clay wall accented with deep copper detailing and a vibrant 'sunburst' carpet."

Inside the venue, guests were treated to Champagne and caviar bumps upon arrival and a "Mini Martini Hideaway" by award-winning mixologist Rosie Ruiz of Stayin’ Gold Cocktails. Rentals were provided by Bright Event Rentals, Found Rental Co., and FormDecor. The evening's menu also included wood-fired pizzas and hand-stretched mozzarella from La Morra Pizzeria, plus Cheddar Bay beurre montè-poached lobster biscuits from Chain.

"We leaned heavily into natural terrazzo, marble, stone, clay, and scalloped wood, all accented with lime-wash finishes; dreamy candlelight; and lush, loose greens and florals dotted alongside potted herbs," Mazzuca says. Mallory with the Flowers provided florals while Vogue Candles provided candles.

DJ M.O.S spun tracks for guests like Curb Your Enthusiasm's J.B. Smoove and his wife, Shahidah Omar (pictured). Other entertainment throughout the night included live karaoke with Hollywood piano bar Tramp Stamp Granny’s.

On the Friday before the ceremony, The Hollywood Reporter and SAG-AFTRA hosted their fifth annual Emmy Nominees Night, where attendees toasted to this year’s achievements in television and celebrated the Emmy nominees. The event took place at Stanley II in West Hollywood and was sponsored by Glenfiddich, Heineken, and Shake Shack. Among the star-studded guest list was Shōgun actress (and newly minted Emmy winner) Anna Sawai.

At the event, The Hollywood Reporter President Joe Shields thanked SAG-AFTRA for its partnership while guests enjoyed views of the Hollywood hills.

Shake Shack featured its new limited-edition black truffle burger and black truffle Parmesan fries at the star-studded event, offering to-go bags to guests as they exited the party.

On Sept. 14, the Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF)—a charitable organization that offers assistance and care to entertainment workers in need—hosted its 18th annual “Evening Before” benefit. Co-chaired by Greg Berlanti and Robbie Rogers, Jon Hamm and Anna Osceola Hamm, and Sheryl Lee Ralph, the annual event raised $2.5 million. Stars in attendance included Emmy nominee Brie Larson, who tried her hand at a life-size Operation game from UCLA Health, one of the event's presenting sponsors. The Evening Before was designed by Studio Komorebi with specialty food provided by Carmelized Productions by Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo.

On Sept. 13, People magazine and Chain—the smash-hit food experience masterminded by B.J. Novak and Michelin-starred chef Tim Hollingsworth—kicked off Emmys weekend with a special event celebrating People’s 50th anniversary. Actor and comedian Jay Pharoah was in attendance and posed for photos in front of a giant birthday cake adorned with disco balls.