Indoor mini festival at a partner venue

Ticket buyers, vendors paying for tables or booths, and sponsors. The venue may share bar or door revenue with you.

Ticket sales and vendor table fees, plus sponsorship and an agreed share of venue sales. Using an existing venue keeps upfront costs lower and works well through the winter.

• Organising and scheduling
• Building partnerships
• Social media promotion
• Dealing with vendors and customers

• Check who holds the liquor licence and what the venue's insurance covers, and whether you need your own event liability policy
• Capacity and fire code limits, so confirm the maximum number of people with the venue
• Get the revenue split, deposit and cancellation terms in writing
• Music licensing, so check whether SOCAN or Re:Sound fees apply and who pays them
• Vendors selling food may need local public health approval, so check what applies
• Registering for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, so check with the CRA
• Low turnout is the main risk, so avoid dates that clash with big local events

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on the venue deal, marketing and vendor setup. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on ticket sales, vendor fees and sponsors.

Check who holds the liquor licence, what the venue's insurance covers, and whether you need your own event liability policy. Confirm capacity and fire code limits, music licensing fees, vendor food approvals, and get the revenue split, deposit and cancellation terms in writing.

Estimates start at about 8 hours a week, depending on the event. Low turnout is the main risk, so avoid dates that clash with big local events. Also check GST/HST registration with the CRA once you pass the small supplier threshold.