The Ultimate Guide to Award-Season Travel: How to Experience the 2025 Film & Music Festivals Like a VIP (and Book Smart)

Welcome to the Red Carpet Circuit: 2025’s Award-Season Adventure Awaits

Pop quiz: What do Venice, New York, Los Angeles, and a suitcase full of sequins have in common? They’re all essential ingredients for the world’s most glamorous annual pilgrimage—award-season travel. From the Venice Film Festival to the MTV VMAs and the SMPTE Awards Gala, 2025 is shaping up to be an absolute blockbuster for film and music fans, industry insiders, and anyone who dreams of brushing past paparazzi en route to a midnight after-party.

"Award-season travel isn’t just about the events—it’s about the unforgettable city experiences, the smart booking hacks, and the insider tips that turn a trip into a legend."

Ready to experience 2025’s cultural circuit like a true VIP? This guide will get you there, keep you connected, and maybe—just maybe—help you party with the stars. Let’s roll out the (eco-friendly) red carpet!

2025’s Hottest Events: Where to Be and Why

• Venice Film Festival (Aug 27–Sep 6): The world’s oldest film festival returns, boasting premieres from Julia Roberts, Emma Stone, George Clooney, and more. Venice will be buzzing—book early or risk sleeping on a gondola!
• MTV VMAs (Sep 7, UBS Arena, NY): Busta Rhymes and Ricky Martin receive historic honors, Lady Gaga leads the nominations, and LL Cool J hosts solo. Expect show-stopping performances and after-parties that defy bedtime.
• SMPTE Awards Gala (Oct 16, Pasadena): The film and TV tech world’s Oscars, honoring the likes of Darryl Jefferson and Ben Burtt. Perfect for industry pros and tech-curious fans alike.
• Newark Black Film Festival (July, Newark, NJ): The oldest Black film festival in the U.S. celebrates boundary-pushing cinema and community—plus opening night receptions and director Q&As.

And that’s just the sizzle reel! For a full calendar of can’t-miss events, check out Trip.com’s August 2025 Weekend Collection—your one-stop shop for concerts, art, and cultural happenings worldwide.

Book Like a Pro: Flights, Hotels, and Transfers

Best Booking Windows & Flight Hacks

• Book Early, Book Smart: For Venice, LA, and NYC, flights and hotels go fast—six months out is ideal. For last-minute deals and cashback, try WayAway—compare fares, earn cashback, and fly like a legend.
• Bundle and Save: Use Trip.com to snag event tickets, flights, and hotels in one go. Pro tip: filter for properties with flexible cancellation—award season is unpredictable!

Where to Stay: New & Trending Hotels

• For Venice Film Festival: Stay close to the Lido (festival HQ), but also consider hidden gems in Dorsoduro or Cannaregio for more local flavor. Score the best rates using Hotelook—compare deals across all major platforms.
• New York’s VMAs: The UBS Arena is in Elmont, but Manhattan (Midtown or Lower East Side) offers quick access via LIRR or private transfer. See the latest NYC arts events and hotel deals.
• LA’s SMPTE Gala: Pasadena’s boutique hotels fill up quickly; nearby Glendale and Downtown LA have chic, often overlooked options.

Airport Transfers and Local Rides

• Skip the taxi line and book in advance with GetTransfer, Kiwitaxi, or Intui.travel for private cars, luxury rides, or shared shuttles.
• Heading to a red carpet? Upgrade to a luxury car rental—arrive in style, even if your plus-one is your suitcase.
• Need to stash your luggage before check-in or after checkout? Radical Storage offers secure drop spots in all major cities—so you can hit the after-party unburdened.

VIP Experiences: Beyond the Main Event

• After-Parties & Private Tours: Many festivals offer VIP add-ons for after-parties, director Q&As, and exclusive screenings—book early, as these sell out (and often require proof of ticket purchase).
• Cultural Side Quests: In Venice, don’t miss the Biennale or a gondola serenade. In LA, explore behind-the-scenes tours at studios, or hit the California events calendar for music, art, and culinary festivals.
• Unique Attractions: Between screenings, book top-rated city experiences via Tiqets—from museum fast-tracks to rooftop tours, it’s your shortcut to the best of each city.
• Local Festivals: Don’t overlook parallel events! For example, the Newark Black Film Festival offers opening night receptions, Q&As, and workshops for aspiring filmmakers.

Packing & Practicalities: The VIP Survival Kit

• Dress Code: Black tie is classic, but glam-casual rules many after-parties. Pack wrinkle-resistant eveningwear, a statement accessory, and shoes for both cobblestones and red carpets.
• Connectivity: International travelers, rejoice! Ditch the SIM swap with Airalo or Yesim eSIMs—instant data, multi-country coverage, and no more frantic café WiFi hunts.
• Travel Insurance: Don’t leave home without it—especially when events, flights, or luggage could go sideways. EKTA Insure offers flexible, festival-friendly coverage for medical, delays, and cancellations.
• Smart Luggage: Use a carry-on with a charging port, or a tracker for peace of mind. For longer trips, consider luggage storage to avoid schlepping between hotels and venues.

City-Specific Insider Hacks

Venice

• Getting There: Fly into Venice Marco Polo or Treviso. Book a water taxi in advance for a dramatic arrival—GetTransfer and Kiwitaxi offer seamless lagoon transfers.
• Festival Access: Public screenings often have last-minute tickets—line up early or check festival apps for releases.
• Hidden Gems: Escape the crowds with a cicchetti crawl in Cannaregio or a secret tour of the Doge’s Palace.

New York

• Airport Strategy: JFK and LGA are both solid; book a transfer with Intui.travel to skip the taxi scrum.
• Getting Around: Subway is king, but for late-night events, rideshares or private cars are safest.
• VIP Tip: Many rooftop bars offer VMA watch parties—reserve in advance for skyline views and celeb sightings.

Los Angeles / Pasadena

• Car Rental: LA is a driver’s city—book early via Qeeq for the best deals on convertibles and luxury rides.
• Festival Hopping: Use Trip.com’s California event calendar to find concerts, gallery openings, and culinary festivals between film screenings.
• Luggage Hack: Stash your bags with Radical Storage near Union Station or LAX for seamless transitions.

Don’t Miss These 2025 Festival Highlights

• Venice Film Festival: See Emma Stone in Lanthimos’ new satire, Dwayne Johnson’s MMA biopic, and Netflix’s latest Oscar hopefuls. Book your Venice experience early for the best seats and hotel rates.
• MTV VMAs: Busta Rhymes and Ricky Martin make history, with performances from J Balvin, Sabrina Carpenter, and more. Fan voting is open until September 5!
• SMPTE Awards Gala: Rub elbows with the minds behind your favorite movies—tickets and sponsorships available through the official site.
• Newark Black Film Festival: Opening night reception, film premieres, and a Caribbean White Party to close out the week. Explore Newark’s July events for more cultural happenings.

For even more, see Trip.com’s July 2025 Cultural Experiences and September Arts Calendar for the latest on festivals, tickets, and tours across the globe.

Final Tips: How to Actually Feel Like a VIP (Without the Entourage)

• Subscribe to event and city newsletters. Early-bird tickets, secret parties, and last-minute deals go to those in the know.
• Travel light (but smart): One carry-on, one chic outfit, one power bank, one eSIM. That’s the new VIP formula.
• Network with intention: Award season is about connections—whether you’re a fan, influencer, or industry hopeful. Be bold. Say hello. The best stories start after the credits roll.

Ready to walk the walk? Start booking your 2025 award-season adventure:

• Flights, hotels, and event tickets at Trip.com
• Compare and save on trending hotels
• Book airport and city transfers in advance
• Luxury and classic car rentals worldwide
• VIP attractions and skip-the-line tickets
• eSIM for instant global connectivity / Yesim
• Travel insurance for every adventure
• Secure luggage storage in every major city

Want to swap tips, share your red carpet tales, or ask for city-specific hacks? Subscribe to our blog—only subscribers can write and read comments, and it’s free (for now). Award-season legends are made in the comments section. Don’t miss out!