Organising a festival is no mean feat, so give yourself plenty of time to plan. After all, you’ll probably need to arrange performers, vendors and the festival site, as well as sell tickets and promote your event. Planning a live music festival, club festival, film festival, carnival or fete, but aren’t quite sure where to start? Tagvenue is here to help. We have a great selection of festival venues, from gorgeous gardens to wide-open spaces that are perfect for setting up an outdoor stage or two.
In London, prices of festival venues average £6000 hire fee per day. Rental costs vary depending on guest capacity, popularity, location, and amenities like sound systems or bar services. Additional charges may be applicable for bespoke catering, decor, and event planning. Packages with add-ons, such as DJs, photo booths, or other entertainment services, can also increase the overall cost. Check out the typical price ranges in London, based on Tagvenue data:
From £3000 | to £10000 | hire fee per day |
From £1500 | to £10000 | minimum spend per event |
From £144 | to £332 | hire fee per hour |
The first step to organising an outdoor festival in London is to get all of your permits. There are two kinds of permits required: one for the festival itself and one for each individual performance area. In order to apply for these permits, you'll need to get in touch with the local council planning department. They'll be able to tell you exactly what kind of information they'll need from you and how long it will take them to process it, but it's usually not more than a few weeks.
Once you have your permits, you can start thinking about other aspects of organising an outdoor festival in London. One of the most important things is choosing a venue that will work well for your event—especially if you intend on selling tickets or charging admission fees! You might also want to think about getting security guards (if necessary), hiring a stage manager (if you're holding performances), getting insurance coverage and making sure that there's enough room on-site for all of the vendors who'll be selling food or drinks during your event. And finally, make sure that everyone knows about your event! Print up flyers and post them around town. You can also put them up on social media or put up signs at local businesses, whatever works best for your audience.
Once you've chosen your venue, you can start advertising it with flyers, posters, and social media posts. The next step is to start building an online presence for your event. You should make a website with all the details of what's happening at the festival, and links to buy tickets and even purchase merchandise. You can also use social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter to share information about the festival and get more people interested in attending. Why not also consider creating an app for those who are attending so they can keep track of all the bands playing and any other activities happening at the event (like drinking games)?
Organizing a festival in London requires careful planning, especially when it comes to securing the right venue. This guide outlines key steps to help you book a festival venue that suits your event’s needs.
1. Define Your Festival’s Needs
Determine the Event Type and Size: Decide whether your festival focuses on music, film, art, or another theme, and estimate the expected number of attendees. Venues vary from small gardens to large arenas like the O2 or Wembley Stadium, so clarity on scale is crucial.
Identify Key Requirements: Consider facilities like catering, toilets, A/V equipment, parking, and accessibility. For outdoor venues, plan for weather contingencies. Indoor venues may already have sound systems, which is ideal for music festivals.
2. Set a Budget
Understand Costs: Festival venue hire in London ranges from £200 to £10,000+ per day, depending on size and amenities. Budget for additional costs like security, cleanup, and permits.
Negotiate and Reserve Funds: Use venue booking platforms to compare prices and negotiate deals. Keep a reserve for unexpected fees.
3. Research and Shortlist Venues
Explore Venue Options: London offers diverse festival venues, such as:
Outdoor Spaces: Brockwell Park, Gunnersbury Park, or Southwark Park .
Indoor Venues: Royal Albert Hall, O2 Academy Brixton, or Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall for music and cultural events.
Unique Spaces: Dockyards for open-air cultural events or converted warehouses in Brixton for a vibrant atmosphere.
Use Venue Platforms: Websites like Tagvenue list thousands of venues with filters for location, capacity, and features. Check reviews and verify venues for quality.
4. Check Permits and Logistics
Secure Permits: Obtain two types of permits—one for the festival itself and one for each performance area. Contact local authorities early to comply with regulations.
Assess Accessibility: Ensure the venue is accessible via public transport (e.g., Southbank Centre has 20+ bus routes nearby) and offers step-free access for inclusivity.
Plan Logistics: Arrange for security, fencing, and technical equipment. Confirm the venue’s maximum capacity and adhere to safety guidelines.
5. Book Early and Communicate
Book in Advance: Popular venues like fill up quickly, especially for summer festivals. Secure your venue months in advance.
Liaise with Venue Managers: Communicate with hosts for setup details, equipment availability, and past event experience. Fast-response venues often reply within 8 hours.
Confirm Details: Double-check booking terms, cancellation policies, and insurance requirements (e.g., comprehensive liability coverage of at least $1,000,000).
6. Promote and Plan
Market Your Festival: Once the venue is booked, create a marketing plan to sell tickets. Highlight unique venue features, like the iconic arches at Clapham Junction or waterfront views at Dockyards.
Coordinate Vendors and Staff: Arrange performers, food stalls, and volunteers. Plan the festival schedule to ensure smooth operations.
Choose a diverse lineup to keep attendees engaged.
Test A/V equipment in advance for music or film festivals.
Prioritize attendee safety with hydration stations and first aid.
Use platforms like Tagvenue for seamless booking and verified venues.
By defining your needs, budgeting wisely, and booking early through reliable platforms, you can secure the perfect London festival venue for a memorable event.