Outdoor Events + Festivals
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Sector at a Glance
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Outdoor events and festivals of all types are woven into the UK’s cultural fabric
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Globally renowned Glastonbury, Notting Hill Carnival, Edinburgh International Festival – to events of all sizes spread across the UK
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Over 141m attendees of outdoor events and festivals in the UK per year
Sector Overview

Outdoor Events + Festivals

Outdoor events and festivals of all types are woven into the UK’s cultural fabric. With a world-leading reputation for experience, delivery and safety, these events welcome millions of people each year. Offering a diverse blend of entertainment and content, shows come in all shapes and sizes and see professional expertise working in tandem with a proudly independent creative element.

The sector sees a diverse mix of multi-national corporates and independent promoters working alongside a host of professional event operators. Often coordinated by technical production and event management specialists, the industry sees temporary infrastructure and structure providers deliver alongside commercial agencies, creative organisations and a host of freelance producers. Safety is a pivotal part of outdoor event delivery and sees close collaboration between authorities, crowd management providers, medical providers and safety consultants. More than 141m attend outdoor events and festivals in the UK demonstrating the strength of this industry sector. With a diverse mix of event types, attendees attend for entertainment, socialising, experience and escapism. A strong sense of discovery, innovation and community lie at the very heart of the Outdoor Events and Festivals sector. From the globally renowned Glastonbury and Notting Hill Carnival to events of all sizes spread across the UK, these shows are often dedicated to culture, entertainment, arts, food, comedy, leisure and lifestyle, offering something for everyone.

Outdoor Events + Festivals Sector Industry Events
July 26
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AEME Forum 2026
The #AEME2026 overarching theme is ‘Events for a Changing World: Responsibility, Equity, and Impact’ which will explore events as sites of responsibility and contestation, as well as spaces for imagination and meaningful impact. In particular, the Forum welcomes work that critically engages with events education, its pedagogies, curricula, institutional contexts, and partnerships as a key lever for shaping ethical practice, inclusive futures, and socially responsive event professionals in an uncertain world.
AEME Blue Logo1 Adrian Bossey 1
September 26
6-8
PLASA Focus London
The UK’s market-leading trade event for live entertainment technology returns to London in September 2026.
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October 26
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The East Anglian Festival Network’s Exhibition and Conference
EAFN26 – The East Anglian Festival Network’s annual free one day exhibition and conference (Headline Sponsors: Gofer Ltd and Arena UK and Europe) brings together event organisers, venues and suppliers from across the East of England to share expertise, network and identify new supply chain opportunities to benefit the environment, the audience, the event industry and the region’s economy. EAFN26’s headline sponsors are: Gofer Ltd – one of the UK’s leading event power suppliers based in Suffolk and Arena UK & Europe – The UK’s Leading Events Infrastructure Supplier EAFN26 is being held at the Burgess Hall in the beautiful Riverport town of St Ives, Cambridgeshire. EAFN26 is free to attend for event organisers, venue owners, venue managers, event suppliers, event managers and operations or logistics managers working in the event sector and anyone else interested in connecting with our region’s event industry. Registration prior to the event is required. […]
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