Event business ideas you can run out and about
69 ideas
These 69 event business ideas suit people who like working at venues, backyards, pubs and paddocks rather than behind a desk. You might run a wedding and function band, set up a photo booth hire business, or host pop-up outdoor cinema nights.
Wedding and event marquee hire with setup
Supply, install and pack down larger marquees for weddings, festivals and corporate events with a ute or truck and a small crew.
- A$80k-250k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Band or dance act for weddings and events
Book your music, dance or theatre act for weddings, corporate events and local festivals.
- A$1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Pop-up paintball for parties and events
Tow a trailer of gear and inflatable bunkers to a private property or hired venue and run paintball days for groups.
- A$15k-45k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile DJ for weddings and parties
Bring your own sound system and music to weddings, birthdays and private parties, paid per booking.
- A$2k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
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
Full-time celebrant with a signature style
Build a busy celebrant business with weddings, vow renewals and naming ceremonies all year round.
- A$2.5k-8k
- Full-time
- 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
Multi-day Christmas market series
Run a bigger festive market across several weekends or sites, with food, music and dozens of stallholders.
- A$15k-60k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Full-service wedding planning business
Plan a limited number of weddings a year from start to finish and build a name as a trusted local planner.
- A$3k-15k
- Full-time
- Out and about
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
Regular LGBTQ+ club night
Run a monthly or weekly LGBTQ+ dance night in an existing venue before taking on your own club.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Marquee and jumping castle hire
Own a few marquees and jumping castles, deliver them with a ute or van and set them up at parties and events.
- A$25k-80k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Freelance licensed fireworks operator
Get licensed and work as a contract pyrotechnician, firing shows for established display companies.
- A$2k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Rock nights in a hired pub or hall
Run a regular rock night in a room you hire or share takings with, without taking on a venue lease.
- A$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Pop-up outdoor cinema nights
Run ticketed movie nights in local parks, school grounds and community spaces using portable screen and sound gear.
- A$4k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Event and conference videographer
Film events, conferences and functions, then deliver highlight reels and full recordings to organisers.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Stage lighting sales and install for churches and schools
Sell and set up lighting packages for churches, schools and community venues, ordering stock from suppliers as needed.
- A$3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
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
Full-time event and wedding florist
Run a florist business focused on weddings and events, with a van, cool storage and a small team in busy seasons.
- A$40k-120k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Wedding décor and styling hire
Hire out and set up arches, signage, candles and table styling for couples, working from a home storage base.
- A$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Wedding car hire with driver
Drive couples and their wedding parties in a smart or classic car on the big day.
- A$8k-40k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Weekly karaoke night at pubs and bars
Run a regular karaoke night at local venues that want to fill a quiet midweek evening.
- A$2k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
Most involve carrying gear, setting up on site and working evenings or weekends, so think about transport, storage and how much lifting you're happy to do. Start by checking what insurance you need, whether venues or councils require permits, and how you'll handle bookings and deposits. It also helps to test demand locally before buying equipment. Compare the ideas by startup cost, how often you'd realistically be booked, and whether the work fits around your current job and family.
More ideas
- Run a monthly farmers' market
- Wedding and event marquee hire
- Monthly community night market
- Weekly night market with a venue partner
- Event and venue security crew
- Wedding and special occasion chauffeur
- Event AV hire with an operator
- Live streaming for events and meetings
- Mobile party disco for kids and family events
- Wedding and function DJ with sound and lighting
- Local one-day festival organiser
- Children's party magician
- Close-up magician for corporate events
- Pop-up model car track for parties and events
- Wedding and function band
- Community hall craft fair organiser
- Seasonal outdoor craft fair
- Mobile karaoke host for parties and events
- Weekly karaoke nights at pubs and venues
- Event portable toilet and handwash hire
- Building site toilet hire with servicing truck
- Mobile kids' party host
- Themed party setups and styling
- Solo singing telegram performer
- Exhibition stand installation crew
- Balloon styling for weddings and events
- Mobile market and event stall set-up crew
- Pop-up arcade for events and parties
- Portable haunted walk-through for events
- AV hire with setup for events
- Pop-up soft play sessions in community halls
- Party planner with styling and setup service
- Event airbrush artist: temporary tattoos and face art
- Event AV advisor and technician
- Mobile paint-and-sip style painting sessions
- Karaoke setup with host for events
- Trade stand planner for exhibitors
- Weekly or monthly pop-up comedy night
- Event and party equipment hire
- Hybrid event video call hire and operator
- Samba performance and workshop troupe
- Pop-up bag storage for events and festivals
- Weekend photo booth hire
- Photo booth hire business with several booths
- Pop-up kids' play sessions in hired halls
Questions
What should I check before starting a mobile event business in Australia?
Check public liability insurance, whether your council or the venue needs permits, and what licences apply to music, alcohol or vehicles. Also confirm how you'll transport and store equipment. Your state or territory regulator and an accountant can confirm what applies to you.
Do I need to pay for music licensing if I perform or play music at events?
Possibly. Venues often hold their own music licences, but it may depend on the event and what you provide. Check with organisations such as APRA AMCOS and the venue about who is responsible, and keep written confirmation of what is covered.
How can I test demand for an event business before buying lots of equipment?
Start small by hiring or borrowing gear, offering a trial night, or partnering with a local venue or planner. Ask for deposits, track enquiries and note what people ask for. This shows whether bookings are likely before you commit to larger purchases.