Once you know what type of festival/event you plan to hold, you can choose a suitable location and venue. Make sure you visit the site to assess its viability. Check that it meets the legal Health and Safety requirements.

Make sure that the venue facilities and services are suitable for the main event. Think through your requirements for indoor and outdoor space. Don't forget to consider undercover protection in bad weather. (See TIMELINE 5.3 Weather).

Check that the facilities and services are suitable for any fringe entertainment and activities.

Before you decide on a venue, consider:

• TIMELINE sample Checklist 1.7 Choosing a Venue (PDF) (Word Doc.). Use the rating criteria to compare venues before you make the final decision
• Access to the site and adequate bilingual signage
• Proximity to local infrastructure such as accommodation providers
• Access for people with disabilities
• Adequate space for additional/fringe activities
• Parking for cars, coaches, disabled access
• Boundary fencing/site security
• Adequate basic services such as water, electricity, gas
• Toilet provision on site (work on the basis of 1 toilet to every 50 people expected, one urinal to every 150)
• Availability on dates required
• Cost of hiring the venue and what this includes

You can get further professional advice from:

• your local council
• the Health and Safety Executive
• your Regional Tourism Partnership
• the TIMELINE Chart

Key Points

• If in doubt, get advice from the Local Authority or Regional Tourism Partnership (RTP) before booking
• Check that there is adequate alternative accommodation onsite in bad weather
• Check that area meets Health & Safety requirements for children and people with disabilities

See Also:

1.7 TIMELINE Checklist - Choosing a Venue (PDF)
1.7 TIMELINE Checklist - Choosing a Venue (Word Doc.)

1.1 Idea/concept
1.3 Produce Planning Schedule
1.4 Research, Check & Set Date
5.3 Weather
6.1 Venue and Checklists
6.8 Contingencies and Checklists
Section 7 Regional Contact Lists