Discover more about hosting festivals and events in Winchester district
This page is for festival organisers who are looking for support, guidance, and opportunities to host their event in Winchester district.
Festivals in Winchester
Did you know Festivals in Winchester have their own collective brand? There is a dedicated area on the Visit Winchester website which showcases, celebrates and compiles our growing festivals offer.
The district hosts a multitude of festivals throughout the year that inspire, intrigue and enchant thousands of visitors ensuring there’s always something to look forward to.
To make the most of our listings and get the best of our campaigns, join our partnership programme.
Festivals Group
The Winchester Festivals Group is facilitated by Winchester Business Improvement District and Winchester City Council and is an opportunity for festivals organisers to get together, in-person, once a quarter.
It is a valuable opportunity to meet with other event organisers from across the district to discuss marketing opportunities, explore the latest trends and share best practices.
These meetings offer an opportunity to come together with other local individuals delivering festivals to share insights and knowledge, offer mutual support and advice as well as explore opportunities to work in partnership. To join the group, simply send Sarah an email.
Winchester's offer
Alongside an already excellent festivals and events offer, Winchester is well placed to support more. Explore our events catalogue below to find venues, performers, infrastructure and technical support for your event. You can also read our article on why you should bring your festival to Winchester.
Sustainable events
In Winchester we support sustainable events and encourage event organisers to consider ways in which they can reduce their environmental impacts. These include but are not limited to:
- Encourage the use of local suppliers (use our events catalogue to find these!)
- Use e-tickets or ticketless facilities
- Avoid or minimise use of generators (if generators are essential, consider use of hybrid, fuel-efficient generators)
- Use energy-efficient equipment
- Provide water refill stations or access to tap water (include signage to water re-fill points)
- Use re-usable equipment / supplies over disposable equipment (if disposable equipment is required, consider supplies that are easily recycled or composted)
- Provide facilities for separation of waste types (include signage to encourage recycling)
- Consider vegetarian and vegan catering options (suggested >40%)
- Promote public transport options to attendees prior to the event
- Provide information on walking and cycling routes for local attendees
- Collect travel and transport data from attendees and suppliers
It is also recommended that festivals have a sustainability statement which advises their visitors what measures are in place to protect the environment, nature and wildlife from any adverse affects. Read more here.
If you are looking for further support and advice on sustainable measures for your event or festival, please contact us.
Planning your event
Once you know what event you'd like to host and where, visit the planning an event page on the Winchester City Council website where you will find everything you need to know about organising an event in Winchester district. Advice includes information on:
- Notifying the council
- The Safety Advisory Group
- Licences
- Road Closures
- Event Management Guidance
- Traffic Management Guidance
- Planning an event toolkit
- Access statement guidance
- Sustainability statement guidance
- Useful contacts
Images © Adrienne Photography (Cover image - Fidget Feet Aerial Dance)