Events business ideas you can start for under $5,000

34 ideas

A small budget goes a long way in events, because your main assets are organisation, reliability and local contacts rather than expensive equipment. These 34 ideas suit people who enjoy coordinating details and dealing with the public.

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Wedding and event video editor

Edit highlight reels and full films for videographers and event clients who need footage turned into keepsake videos.

• A$1k-5k
• Side hustle
• Online

Home-based balloon decorator

Make balloon bouquets, garlands and arches from home for birthdays, baby showers and small events.

• A$500-2.5k
• Side hustle
• From home

Bar and club DJ

Play regular sets at bars, pubs and clubs, building a following and a roster of venue bookings.

• A$500-3k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Weekend wedding celebrant

Write and lead personal wedding and naming ceremonies on weekends alongside your day job.

• A$1.5k-4k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Small community Christmas market

Run a one-day festive market in a hall, school or park, with local stallholders paying you for a spot.

• A$500-3k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Wedding planner and day-of coordinator

Help couples plan and run their wedding, from budget and suppliers to keeping the day on track.

• A$500-3k
• Side hustle
• From home

Freelance corporate event planner

Plan conferences, launches and team events for businesses that don't have time to do it themselves.

• A$500-2.5k
• Part-time
• From home

Astrologer at markets and events

Offer short in-person readings at markets, parties and wellbeing events.

• A$300-1.5k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Freelance meeting and conference planner

Plan team meetings, workshops and small conferences for businesses, working from your home office.

• A$500-3k
• Side hustle
• From home

Virtual and hybrid meeting organiser

Run online and hybrid meetings, webinars and training days for teams spread across Australia.

• A$300-2k
• Side hustle
• Online

Local online ticketing service

Sell tickets online for small local events and earn a booking fee on each sale.

• A$300-2k
• Side hustle
• From home

Event door sales and ticket scanning

Run the ticket desk at local events: door sales, card payments and entry scanning.

• A$1k-5k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Singles events and speed dating

Run regular speed dating nights and mixers where local singles meet in person, paid per ticket.

• A$300-2.5k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Home-based wedding and event florist

Design bouquets, arrangements and event flowers from a home studio, made to order for each client.

• A$800-4k
• Side hustle
• From home

Mobile party disco for kids and family events

Run music, lights and games at birthdays and family parties on weekends with a starter sound system.

• A$1.5k-5k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Mini festival at a local venue

Team up with a brewery, pub or hall to run small themed festival days with stalls, music and ticketed entry.

• A$1k-5k
• Side hustle
• From home

Children's party magician

Perform fun, age-suited magic shows at birthday parties and school events in your area.

• A$300-1.5k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Close-up magician for corporate events

Entertain guests at functions, weddings and work events with close-up and stage magic.

• A$500-3k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Online ticketing for local events

Sell tickets online for community shows, markets and small festivals, and earn a booking fee on each sale.

• A$300-3k
• Side hustle
• Online

Community hall craft fair organiser

Hire a local hall a few times a year and run a fair where makers rent stalls and visitors pay a small entry fee.

• A$500-3k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Weekly karaoke nights at pubs and venues

Run a regular karaoke night for a local pub, club or bar and build a loyal crowd.

• A$1.5k-5k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Mobile kids' party host

Run games, music and activities at children's parties in homes, halls and parks.

• A$500-3k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Themed party setups and styling

Style kids' parties with balloon displays, backdrops and themed tables, set up at the venue.

• A$800-4k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Solo singing telegram performer

Turn up in costume and sing a personalised song for birthdays, farewells and surprise celebrations.

• A$300-2k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

About these ideas

Some are low-outlay and service-led, such as a home-based birthday party planner or a freelance exhibition and trade show planner. Others need a little gear, like karaoke machine hire for parties or a mobile kids' party host. Before choosing, think about who your customers are, how you will find your first bookings, and whether weekend and evening work suits your life. Also check what insurance, venue permissions, food or alcohol rules and council requirements might apply to the events you want to run. Starting with one clear niche usually makes marketing easier.

More ideas

• Singing telegram booking agency
• Home-based birthday party planner
• Home-based entertainment booking agent
• Event airbrush artist: temporary tattoos and face art
• Home-based event planner for private parties
• Mobile paint-and-sip style painting sessions
• Karaoke machine hire for parties
• Freelance exhibition and trade show planner
• Trade stand planner for exhibitors
• Weekly or monthly pop-up comedy night

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