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 (rotation) 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.

Sector News
NEW EXPERIENCES IN 2024 AT ROYAL HIGHLAND CENTRE
2024 is set to be a landmark year for the Royal Highland Centre; Scotland’s largest indoor and outdoor venue that plays host to some of the most exciting events in the Scottish cultural calendar – from Summer Sessions to Comic Con and the iconic Royal Highland Show. This year, the RHC has something for everyone to enjoy, from family day trips to late-night music and one-of-a-kind experiences, all just 20 minutes from Edinburgh City Centre. Detailed below are just some of the highlights that will be coming to the RHC over the next few months.
In The Bag
Virtual delegate goodie bags can tick many boxes for event planners as we move towards a sustainable future. Audience engagement is a top priority for successful events, with accessibility and sustainability always a consideration. Virtual goody bags can deliver all three for busy event professionals. A modern, sustainable twist on the traditional delegate bag, the bag is designed to be tailored and branded for any event and allows event organisers to share sponsors’ and exhibitors’ promotional goodies including product discounts, vouchers, competition prizes, exclusive content, and digital downloads.
On the Move
Portable catering is the way to go for flexibility and convenience for your delegates. Buzzibarista is a barista-standard coffee shop with a difference. Owned by Simon and Pamela Lea this portable catering company runs out of their electric Volkswagen ID Buzz. Taking their EV everywhere from venues UK-wide to the middle of vast open fields, catering for all kinds of events from conferences to team away days – their mobile business model displays how portable catering can secure a high-quality, flexible, and considerate service for your delegates no matter the location
Borders Book Festival unveils a packed programme for this summer’s celebration of literature and life
The Borders Book Festival programme is announced and tickets go on sale, as the annual extravaganza – now a stalwart of the literary calendar — launches its 21st edition, featuring well-known names from fiction to politics, sport to current affairs, health and wellbeing to comedy, history to science and philosophy, and children’s literature favourites to new, emerging voices.
Latest Sector Research
Sector Events Calendar
October 24
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The Event Summit
Fostering collaboration between sports, music and cultural events for inspiration and growth Rick will be speaking/ moderating We should use the app research tool for some pre event questions perhaps- or a survey All PoE Steering Group members are invited to attend FOC if they are event rights holders, or at a 33% discount if they are not
October 24
23-24
The Showman’s Show
The Showman’s Show was launched in 1984 and is firmly established as the UK’s original and most comprehensive exhibition of products and services for the outdoor, festival and special event world. The 2024 edition of the Show will return to Newbury Showground from 23rd – 24th October. Celebrating 40 years of bringing the industry together; the Show will see hundreds of suppliers and manufacturers exhibiting the latest products and services available to the event industry. It is an unrivalled market place to discover the latest innovations, meet a diverse range of new suppliers and network with colleagues in a fun and relaxed environment. The Show is FREE to attend, so if you supply the event industry or organise outdoor and special events, this Show is for you.
November 24
20-21
Event Tech Live
Event Tech Live is the No. 1 globally recognised event bringing event professionals, thought leaders, leading event tech companies and startups together. Event Professionals can register to attend for FREE and access to the latest industry education from industry thought leaders across multiple stages and formats. Event Tech Live features a hosted buyer programme and an exhibition featuring the latest in event technology, software, and innovations from around the world. The event provides the resources, tools and networking opportunities you need to take advantage of technology to create the best events.
Exhibitions + Congress
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Research

The event industry’s reliance on data to help it plan for the future, increase its resilience, manage risk and justify investment decisions, is growing year on year.

The engagement and access that The Power of Events (UK) has across all 7 sectors of the industry, enables data gathering and in-depth research projects to be delivered confidently and consistently. This will be primarily facilitated through the new insight app to be launched on 28th Sep 2023.

By bringing the industry and university partners together, research projects will be designed to deliver real benefits to the industry in terms of trend analysis, insights and performance improvements.

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