ANAHEIM, CALIF—From June 26-29, Anaheim was transformed into a vibrant playground for online creators and fans alike with the 13th edition of VidCon. Founded by YouTube icons John and Hank Green and now falling under the Paramount Global umbrella, VidCon annually draws an impressive 55,000 attendees, all eager to immerse themselves in the latest trends and innovations—and to make some great content along the way.
From sports-themed lounges and travel-inspired setups to a cheeky activation highlighting the perils of non-flushable wipes, every corner of the convention was designed to grab attention—and, of course, inspire plenty of photo and video ops. Check out the coolest activations, booths, and lounges we spotted from brands like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Disney+.
YouTube's Sports-Themed Lounges
MAS was tasked with creating two sports-themed lounge activations at VidCon, both designed to grow sentiment, engagement, and buzz around creating content on YouTube. Each lounge aimed to blend sports motifs with a modern twist such as gradients, abstract field lines, and bold color combinations.
The YouTube All Stars lounge aimed to empower and pamper YouTube's top creators, with a VIP experience that included a stocked "Team Spirit" glam bar for hair and makeup touch-ups, a "Serving Looks" tennis-inspired photo op, and a "Team Store" with individually personalized jerseys.
The YouTube All Stars lounge aimed to empower and pamper YouTube's top creators, with a VIP experience that included a stocked "Team Spirit" glam bar for hair and makeup touch-ups, a "Serving Looks" tennis-inspired photo op, and a "Team Store" with individually personalized jerseys.
Photo: Courtesy of MAS
Creators were also encouraged to "Own the Court" in a basketball court video studio, complete with an on-site director to help them create content.
Photo: Courtesy of MAs
The YouTube Creator Stadium, meanwhile, was designed to educate and inspire rising stars, focusing on providing memorable moments for first-time VidCon attendees and newer creators. Using a running track as the focal point, guests were transported to a lounge featuring a stadium-inspired photo op; an interactive "Game Day Challenge Zone" to test attendee skills on iconic YouTube trends like Flip Cup; and a YouTube locker room shopping experience featuring products from VanossGaming, Brooklyn and Bailey, Brittany Rose, The Fitness Marshall, and By Chloe Wen.
Photo: Courtesy of MAs
There was also a winner's podium where custom GIFs were created in real time.
Photo: Courtesy of MAS
After dominating the challenge zone, attendees left with their own superlative-inspired medal and a customized tumbler.
Photo: Courtesy of MAS
TikTok's Destination: Creation Lounge
TikTok's Destination: Creation was a creator track lounge on the second floor of the Anaheim Convention Center during VidCon, powered by TikTok and produced by Mirrored Media. At this hub for connection, creators learned how to take their content to the next level and achieve professional growth on TikTok.
Photo: Courtesy of Mirrored Media
Upon entry, creators received a TikTok-branded "passport" and stepped through a tunnel reminiscent of an airliner, lined with windows that offered fun TikTok Easter eggs related to trends and destinations.
Photo: Courtesy of Mirrored Media
Inside the airport-inspired lounge, creators could engage with different TikTok products including TikTok Creator Academy, TikTok One, TikTok Shop, and more, collecting stamps in their passports along the way while receiving exclusive swag at each station.
Photo: Courtesy of Mirrored Media
The lounge also featured meeting pods, an arrivals-inspired content creation moment, refreshments, and games.
Photo: Courtesy of Mirrored Media
TikTok Destination: Creation Party
TikTok also hosted the Destination: Creation party that nodded to the brand's travel theme. Hosted at the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) and produced by Mirrored Media, the event featured custom-fabricated elements including a step-and-repeat with life-size LED screens highlighting UGC from creator attendees.
Photo: Courtesy of Mirrored Media
There was also a central bar, a stage with laser FX, curated refreshments, and TikTok trend-themed lounges for creators to connect and curate content.
The space featured multiple creation stations including an "up and away" video moment where creators soared through the clouds and a "flight path" logo treatment, highlighting TikTok as the ultimate destination for creation.
The space featured multiple creation stations including an "up and away" video moment where creators soared through the clouds and a "flight path" logo treatment, highlighting TikTok as the ultimate destination for creation.
Photo: Courtesy of Mirrored Media
The venue was also lit with custom lighting rigs, transforming the ARTIC into a party space while the central stage featured performances by DJ Habibeats and Plastique Tiara.
Photo: Courtesy of Mirrored Media
Meta's Instagram Creative Lounge
On behalf of its client Meta, experiential marketing agency MKG designed a cafe-style activation for creators to meet and get better acquainted while being among the first to try Meta AI’s latest features. MKG’s “third place” approach inspired the concept: an eclectic, editorial take on coffee culture that combined a capture-worthy color palette with mixed multimedia and accent lighting.
Photo: Marissa Joy Photography
Inside, creators were invited to film and shoot content using Meta’s new AI-powered tools, like customized sticker creation and a backdrop feature that allows creators to seamlessly edit their backgrounds to look like they’re posting from anywhere.
Photo: Marissa Joy Photography
To help attendees rest their feet and foster conversation, funky couches and bistro tables were placed throughout. A one-on-one support station was available for questions, complete with a “tip” jar that offered creator tips and suggestions. In keeping with the cafe theme, espresso drinks were served along with other snacks.
Photo: Marissa Joy Photography
A stage was also set up for creators to use, which doubled as a platform for Meta demonstrations and activities during happy hour.
Photo: Marissa Joy Photography
To capture the experience in real time, creators posed in a portrait studio wearing Ray-Ban’s new Meta smart glasses, with pics sent instantly via Bluetooth on the way out. Also to go: swag inspired by coffee culture and Instagram’s latest product update, Achievement Badges.
Photo: Marissa Joy Photography
Out of the Box's Countdown
VidCon brought back Out of the Box, designed and built by Freeman, which featured a clock that slowly counted down throughout the day above a giant sealed cardboard box.
Photo: Courtesy of Freeman
When the timer reached zero, the box opened to reveal influencers ready to play games, hand out giveaways, and meet fans.
Photo: Courtesy of Freeman
Responsible Flushing Alliance’s Toilet Crimes Experience
The Responsible Flushing Alliance (RFA), a nonprofit trade organization, hosted a tongue-in-cheek, noir-inspired experience at VidCon. Hard-boiled sleuth Detective Vincent Drains and his somewhat surprising partner—a singing and talking toilet named Mel—were on the case of the latest in toilet crimes sweeping the Golden State. The duo invited attendees into the bathroom crime scene at VidCon to uncover the cause of a costly clog and broken pipes.
Photo: Courtesy of RFA
The activation cleverly infused messaging about the dangers of ignoring the “Do Not Flush” symbol on baby wipes, cleaning wipes, and makeup wipes—and noted that it’s costing California $47 million each year to clean up the consequences of bad flushing.
Photo: Courtesy of RFA
DIsney+'s 'Descendants: The Rise of Red' Booth
To celebrate the premiere of Descendants: The Rise of Red on Disney+, Disney Branded Television brought the movie’s castle to life on the show floor. Guests were immersed in an experience through the Queen of Hearts and her daughter Red’s castle, with colorful photo moments and exclusive premiums. The castle walls featured visuals from the film, in-world graffiti, and storybook pages telling the Descendants tale.
Photo: Courtesy of Mirrored Media
As guests started their journey into the castle, they were welcomed by a rose-filled room featuring the song “Red” from the movie’s soundtrack, plus the smell of roses and a branded mirror to create unique Red-inspired content.
Photo: Courtesy of Mirrored Media
Guests then walked through a time travel tunnel into Merlin’s Academy.
Photo: Courtesy of Mirrored Media
In Merlin’s Academy, guests found themselves surrounded by a library scene from the movie featuring school picture frames and mirrors with the song “What’s My Name (Red Version)” amplified throughout the space. The room pulsed like a heartbeat, revealing blacklight graffiti and a few hidden Easter eggs tied to the film.
Photo: Courtesy of Mirrored Media
Guests then exited into the castle courtyard to take a seat on the Queen of Heart’s throne for a shareable Glambot video, and collected exclusive premiums. Further elevating the experience, the film’s talent—Kylie Cantrall, Malia Baker, Ruby Rose Turner, Morgan Dudley, Dara Reneé, Joshua Colley, and Peder Lindell—visited the booth, signed the castle walls, and met with fans during VidCon’s VIP Expo Hour. The activation was designed and produced by experiential agency Mirrored Media.
Photo: Courtesy of Mirrored Media
Bigo Live
Livestreaming platform Bigo Live made its debut at VidCon this year. AKJOHNSTON Group brought the brand's initiative to actualization with an oversize photo op plush wall.
Photo: Courtesy of AKJOHNSTON
There was also a custom livestreaming lounge, plus an interactive prize wheel, giving each guest who downloaded the app a chance to win all week long.
Photo: Courtesy of AKJOHNSTON
