Events and festivals

Create a responsible and successful event with a range of tailored advice and resources developed by EventScotland.

Festival goers — Cowal Gathering
© VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

Whether you’re planning an event for the first time or want to develop your much-loved festival, EventScotland has developed a range of tailored advice and guidance on accessing funding, partnerships and marketing your event. You will also find case studies and links to expert partner advice. This range of resources will help you to develop your event responsibly and achieve your goals.

From building more resilient and environmentally responsible events to ensuring events are welcoming and inclusive, all of our advice and guidance is underpinned by Scotland the Perfect Stage 2024-2035, Scotland’s National Events Strategy.

Let’s work together to maintain and grow Scotland’s enviable reputation as a world-leading events destination.

Tailored advice for events and festivals

Developing your event proposition

Find out more about the steps you need to take to set up an event including USPs, managing your finances and setting your date and venue.

Article

9 minute read

Quality event delivery and planning

Find out more about progressing your event to the organising stages including action plans, risk management and event impacts.

Article

5 minute read

Scotland's National Events Strategy

Find out more about the events industry's refreshed strategy, Scotland the Perfect Stage 2024-2035 and the Action Plan for 2025-2026.

External website

Article

How to grow your event audience

Find out more about identifying the people most likely to come to your event, how to reach them and how to build on this audience.

Article

6 minute read

Marketing and communications for events

Find out more about how to promote your event. Including tips on marketing and communication and promotional opportunities.

Article

10 minute read

Inclusive and accessible events

Find out more about the importance of social inclusion and how you can make your event more accessible and enjoyable for all.

Article

5 minute read

Environmentally responsible events

Find tips and resources to help your event on its environmental sustainability journey.

Article

5 minute read

Events health and safety

Find out more about legislation for organising an event in Scotland including licensing, permissions, insurance, policing and more.

Article

7 minute read

Readiness and Resilience for Events

Find guidance on event business continuity, including emergency planning, crisis communications, counter-terrorism, insurance and more.

Guide

7 minute read

Events industry reports

Find event industry research and insights on the impact of events, good practice, and future trends.

External website

Article

Events workforce

A strong, supported workforce is key to safe, successful events. Learn how to plan, recruit and manage staff, contractors and volunteers fairly.

Guide

10 minute read

Working with event partners

Find out more about working with partners for support on funding, planning and delivering events.

Article

10 minute read

View our latest case study videos

The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025

Returning to Aberdeen for the first time in almost 30 years, this event was organised by Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Inspired, and Port of Aberdeen, in partnership with Sail Training International, and supported by many organisations from across North East.

Staged in the centre of Aberdeen, the event attracted over 400,000 visits and 50 Tall Ships from across the globe and provided life-changing experiences for 100 young Aberdonians who sailed aboard the Tall Ships. The event also offered excellent volunteer opportunities for people of all ages.

In our series of videos, we caught up with Stephen O’Neill, Event Operations Lead, and Emma Wadee, Project Manager for Tall Ships Aberdeen 2025, to learn about their approach to engaging such a large and diverse workforce for this major event.

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Working with volunteers

Discover how a dynamic and inclusive volunteer programme helped bring one of north-east Scotland’s biggest events to life.

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Working with event contractors and suppliers

Hear insights into working with contractors and suppliers to deliver a large-scale event, and the importance of having strong partnerships throughout.

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Engaging and managing a core event team

Be inspired by how Tall Ships Aberdeen 2025 built and managed an effective event team from early planning through to delivery.

Browse more case studies

Funding opportunities

EventScotland delivers the National Events Funding Programme and International Events Funding Programme. Find out more about these funds as well as other potential funding sources available to support event development in Scotland.

EventScotland National Events Programme

Find out more about whether your event is eligible and how to apply for funding through EventScotland's National Events Funding Programme.

Article

3 minute read

EventScotland International Events Programme

Find out more about whether your event is eligible and how to apply for funding through EventScotland's International Events Funding Programme.

Article

2 minute read

Funding opportunities for events

Find out more about potential sources of funding for events in Scotland.

Article

4 minute read

EventScotland channels

X (formerly Twitter)
Keep up to date with EventScotland's work and activity as well as news from their supported events and partners.
Follow EventScotland on X using @EventScotNews and #PerfectStage.
LinkedIn
Find out more about EventScotland, including in-depth thought pieces and Q&As with supported events and industry figures.
Follow EventScotland on LinkedIn.
Scotland the Perfect Stage e-newsletter
Stay informed with the latest corporate and event sector news, interviews and insights included within our regular ‘Scotland the Perfect Stage’ e-newsletter.
Sign up to EventScotland's e-newsletter.

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