Events business ideas you can start for up to £5,000
53 ideas
These 54 events business ideas all have estimated start-up costs of up to £5,000, so you can test the market without taking on a large financial risk. Some are service businesses, such as a mobile DJ for weddings and parties or a freelance meeting and conference planner, where your main costs are equipment, insurance and marketing.
Freelance meeting and conference planner
Plan and run business meetings, away days and small conferences for companies, working from your own home office.
- £300-2k
- Side hustle
- From home
Monthly evening pop-up market
Run a monthly evening market in a hired car park, hall or yard, with local food, craft and gift traders.
- £500-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Local online ticket seller
Sell tickets online for small local events and shows, and keep a booking fee on each sale.
- £300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- Online
Fan trips to matches and tournaments
Put together travel and ticket packages for fans following one sport or team to big matches at home or abroad.
- £1k-5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Monthly village or community farmers' market
Run a monthly market in a hall, green or car park, with local growers and makers paying for stalls.
- £500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home-based party kit hire
Hire out tables, chairs, decorations and small party kit from your garage or spare space, delivered locally.
- £800-4k
- Side hustle
- From home
Village hall Christmas fair organiser
Hire a local hall, fill it with 20 to 40 craft and food stalls and charge stallholders a pitch fee.
- £300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home-based event planner
Plan birthdays, weddings and small parties for clients from your home, working with local venues and suppliers.
- £200-1.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Corporate event planner
Organise team days, conferences and client evenings for local businesses on a project or retainer basis.
- £500-3k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mini themed festival at a pub, hall or garden
Run a small themed festival inside a venue that already has its licences, splitting takings with the owner.
- £500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Garden and party outdoor cinema hire
Bring a screen, projector and sound to gardens, parties and small events for a fixed hire fee.
- £1.5k-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Pop-up live music nights in hired rooms
Hire a pub back room or hall for regular gig nights and sell tickets, without taking on a lease.
- £300-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile karaoke host for private parties
Bring a karaoke system and your hosting skills to birthdays, hen dos and family parties.
- £800-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Event and wedding video editor
Edit highlight films and full recordings for wedding and event videographers who would rather be filming.
- £500-3k
- Side hustle
- From home
Independent wedding planner from home
Plan and run weddings for couples, from finding suppliers to managing the big day, working from home.
- £300-2.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Wedding day coordinator
Run the wedding day itself so couples can relax: timings, suppliers and guests handled for a set fee.
- £200-1.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Weekly karaoke nights for pubs and bars
Run regular karaoke nights for local pubs and bars, paid per night to bring in customers.
- £1k-4k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Freelance exhibition stand manager
Plan and run trade show stands for small firms that want to exhibit but have no events team.
- £300-2k
- Side hustle
- From home
Exhibition planning service for organisers
Help organisers run small trade shows and conferences, from exhibitor sales to floor plans and on-site delivery.
- £1k-5k
- Part-time
- From home
Karaoke kit hire from home
Hire out karaoke machines and microphones for house parties and birthdays, with local collection or delivery.
- £400-2k
- Side hustle
- From home
Mobile balloon decorator for parties and events
Design and set up balloon arches, garlands and displays at party and wedding venues.
- £300-2k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home-based costume hire by appointment
Hire out a small stock of party and fancy dress costumes from home, taking bookings online or by message.
- £500-3k
- Side hustle
- From home
Online agency for event musicians
Represent bands, solo musicians and performers and book them for weddings, parties and corporate events, taking a commission.
- £300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- Online
Weekend photo booth hire
Hire one photo booth to wedding and party hosts at weekends, alongside your day job.
- £1.5k-4.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
Others involve running your own events, such as pop-up live music nights in hired rooms or a monthly evening pop-up market, where venue hire and promotion come first. They suit people who enjoy organising, dealing with the public and working evenings or weekends. Before you choose, think about who will pay, how you will find your first customers, and what licences, permissions and insurance your chosen event might need. Start by comparing the ideas that fit your skills and available time.
More ideas
- Market and event stall installer
- Wedding and private party entertainment agency
- Corporate event management business
- Online balloon and party decor business
- Children's party magician
- Close-up magician for weddings and events
- Wedding décor styling and hire
- Home-based wedding and event florist
- Panipuri live counter for parties
- Freelance firework display operator
- Rock club night in a hired venue
- Party and kids' disco DJ
- Mobile DJ for weddings and parties
- Resident DJ for bars and clubs
- Independent wedding celebrant
- Naming and family ceremony celebrant
- LGBTQ+ club night in a hired venue
- Singles events and speed dating nights
- Wedding favours at fairs and pop-ups
- Pop-up comedy nights in pubs and function rooms
- Event water and cooler hire
- Mobile karaoke host for parties and events
- Karaoke machine hire for home parties
- Samba performance group and workshops
- Themed party setup and styling
- Event and venue lighting consultant
- Birthday and celebration party planner
- Children's party planner and host
- Singing telegram agency
Questions
How much can I realistically do with a £5,000 budget in events?
It depends on the model. Service businesses, such as hosting or planning for others, usually need less than ticketed events where you pay for venues upfront. Check quotes for equipment, insurance, venue deposits and marketing before committing, and keep some money in reserve.
Do I need a licence to run an event in the UK?
It may depend on what you offer. Alcohol, live music, late hours or public spaces can involve permissions from the venue or local council. Check with your local authority and venue about licences, and ask whether your music use needs additional permissions.
What insurance should I check before starting an events business?
Public liability insurance is commonly requested by venues and clients, and you may want to consider cover for equipment or cancellations too. Ask an insurer what suits your activities, and check whether venues set their own requirements before you book.