Fallow Festival Fund Unveiled at AIF Festival Congress

The festival industry continues to face significant challenges following the impact of the pandemic and Brexit. Rising supply chain costs and difficult supplier terms have made it increasingly hard for even the most successful festivals to continue.

In 2024 alone, a record 78 festivals were cancelled, postponed or permanently closed. However, many events opted for a “fallow year,” pausing operations to reassess their strategies in the face of these ongoing pressures.

The trend of taking a fallow year appears to be growing, with four of the five cancelled festivals this year planning a temporary hiatus rather than shutting down entirely. In response, the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) and Citizen Ticket have launched the Fallow Festival Fund to support festivals during these breaks.

AIF is offering free membership for one year to independent festivals, providing access to training, resources and a network of over 150 other events. Citizen Ticket has pledged free use of its ticketing platform for events selling up to 2,000 tickets, alongside complimentary access to Eventree for event management and accreditation.

The fund aims to help fallow festivals return stronger by providing both practical resources and financial support for bespoke services. Contributions are being sought to help cover essential costs and donations of any size are welcome. Independent festivals interested in accessing the support can apply by completing a short form available online. With collaborative effort, AIF hope to revive many of these much-loved independent events.

Donate to the Fallow Festival Fund here.

Independent festivals seeking support can register here.

Find out more here.