The Show Must Go On: AIF’s Fallow Festival Fund Offers Lifeline to Indie Events

Independent festivals across the UK have been facing a brutal time lately, but there’s finally a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has just launched a lifeline for events forced to take a break – the Fallow Festival Fund. Announced today (5 February) at AIF’s Festival Congress in Bristol, the initiative is backed by headline sponsor Citizen Ticket and aims to help struggling festivals make a triumphant return.

The past year has been nothing short of devastating for the UK festival scene. A staggering 78 festivals either postponed, cancelled, or closed entirely in 2024 – more than double the number from the year before. And with four festivals already pulling the plug on 2025, it’s clear that many organisers are fighting an uphill battle.

AIF CEO John Rostron acknowledged the grim reality, saying, “There will be more festivals out there who are close to making this call. Being there alone trying to make your event work is tough. I know how much festivals value being a part of the AIF community, particularly when times are hard. It’s good to have people around you who can listen, understand and offer support.”

So what does the Fallow Festival Fund actually do? First off, AIF is offering free one-year memberships to indie festivals that aren’t currently part of their network, giving them access to resources and guidance. The fund itself will provide financial backing for vital services like legal contract reviews, financial health checks, production consultancy, and revenue strategy advice – all things that could make or break a festival’s comeback.

And it’s not just AIF stepping up. The wider industry is being urged to pitch in, whether that’s through direct financial contributions or offering discounted services to struggling festivals. Every bit of support, big or small, could mean the difference between an event folding for good or bouncing back stronger in 2026. “Every contribution – small or big – will make a difference,” says Rostron. “I hope that as the year goes on, some of those events in a fallow year will be supported by this fund and have the tools, techniques, innovations and confidence to give them the lift they need to return in 2026.”

Citizen Ticket is also doing its part, offering free use of its ticketing platform for festivals selling up to 2,000 tickets. And for larger events, the first 2,000 tickets will be fee-free – a welcome break for cash-strapped organisers. “Every time a crisis hits, we’ve done our best to support small and independent festivals in any way we can,” says Citizen Ticket’s CPO, Phil Hayes. “We are urging other suppliers who are able to offer something to please do so before more festivals are forced to cancel.”

If you’re a festival organiser considering a fallow year or in need of support, you can register your interest now. Likewise, businesses who want to help by offering services or discounts can get in touch with AIF at info@aiforg.com.

But that’s not all – AIF is also ramping up the pressure on the government to recognise the crisis unfolding in the UK festival scene. They’ve called on the Culture, Media & Sport select committee to launch a ‘State of Play’ inquiry into the future of UK festivals. “We need the whole festival sector to get behind us,” says Rostron. “The MPs on this committee have the power to lobby the government for the support we need. We believe a State of Play inquiry into festivals will demonstrate the desperate need for more support for independents. Through this submission to the CMS Committee, we can champion the changes needed for the survival of UK grassroots, independent festival culture.”

So, whether you’re a festival lover, organiser, or industry pro, now’s the time to rally behind the independent festival scene. With the right support, those beloved boutique festivals can survive – and thrive – for years to come.

Let’s make sure the UK’s festival culture doesn’t just weather the storm, but comes back brighter and louder than ever.

#SaveOurFestivals 🎪💙