Event business ideas where you work out and about
69 ideas
These 69 event business ideas take you to the customer rather than tying you to a shop or office. They suit people who enjoy being on their feet, like variety and are comfortable dealing with the public.
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
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
Local craft fair organiser
Hire a hall a few times a year and run a fair where local makers pay for stalls.
- £200-1k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Seasonal craft fair series
Run bigger Christmas or summer craft fairs in larger venues with a mix of curated makers.
- £1.5k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Bouncy castle and inflatables hire
Own a few bouncy castles and deliver, set up and collect them at weekend parties and school fetes.
- £2.5k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
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
Small marquee and party hire from home
Hire out small marquees, tables and chairs for garden parties and family events, run from a garage or storage unit.
- £2k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
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
One-day local food, music or craft festival
Plan and run a themed one-day festival on a hired field or park, paid for by tickets, stall fees and sponsors.
- £8k-30k
- 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
Mobile AV hire and operation for events
Supply and run sound, screens and lighting for local events, from small conferences to parties.
- £2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Livestream and hybrid event technician
Stream talks, meetings and ceremonies live for organisers who want an online audience.
- £1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Bouncy castle hire from home
Start with a couple of castles stored at home and hire them out for local children's parties at weekends.
- £1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Garden party marquee hire
Hire out a few small marquees and gazebos for garden parties, christenings and birthdays, run from your home and a trailer.
- £3k-12k
- 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
Ticketed pop-up outdoor cinema season
Run seasonal ticketed film nights in parks, farms or venue grounds for local audiences.
- £5k-20k
- Part-time
- 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 videographer
Film weddings, conferences and private events, then edit highlight films for the clients.
- £2k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
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
Mobile bar and bartender team
Run a small team and a portable bar for weddings and corporate events across your area.
- £3k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Inflatable hire business with a storage unit
Run a larger fleet from a rented unit and supply parties, schools and fairs with castles and play equipment.
- £8k-30k
- Full-time
- 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
Event furniture hire
Hire out tables, chairs and lounge furniture for weddings, parties and pop-ups, delivered from your garage or a small store.
- £2k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
Some are service-led, such as a mobile bar and bartender team or a naming and family ceremony celebrant. Others are equipment-led, like bouncy castle hire from home or a garden and party outdoor cinema hire service. Before choosing, think about transport, where you would store kit, and how seasonal demand might affect your income. Check which licences, permissions and insurance apply to your activity and location, and work out what you would need to spend on equipment before your first booking. Start with the idea that matches your skills and your available weekends.
More ideas
- Mobile balloon decorator for parties and events
- Hybrid event video hire and tech host
- Weekend photo booth hire
- Market and event stall installer
- Handwash and portable toilet starter hire
- Portable toilet hire with servicing round
- Wedding and event photographer
- Corporate event management business
- Karaoke hire with delivery and set-up
- Freelance event build and install
- Photo booth hire company
- Mobile cocktail bar for events
- Children's party magician
- Close-up magician for weddings and events
- Wedding and corporate event band
- Panipuri live counter for parties
- Freelance firework display operator
- Small firework display company
- Rock club night in a hired venue
- Pop-up model car track for events
- Party and kids' disco DJ
- Wedding and events 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
- Seasonal local production in a hired venue
- Wedding favours at fairs and pop-ups
- Portable haunted walk-through
- Pop-up play sessions in hired halls
- Exhibition stand fitting crew
- Pop-up comedy nights in pubs and function rooms
- Mobile soft play for parties and events
- Mobile arcade machine hire
- Event water and cooler hire
- Mobile karaoke host for parties and events
- Samba performance group and workshops
- Children's party host and entertainer
- Event and venue lighting consultant
- Children's party planner and host
- Pop-up lesbian bar nights
- Singing telegram performer
- Singing telegram agency
Questions
Do I need a licence to run a mobile event business in the UK?
It depends on what you do. Selling alcohol, playing music or running events on public land may need permissions, such as a personal or premises licence or a temporary event notice. Check with your local council before taking bookings.
What insurance should I look at for an out-and-about events business?
Public liability insurance is commonly expected by venues and clients. Depending on the idea, you may also want to check cover for equipment, employer's liability if you hire staff, and product liability. Ask insurers about your specific activity.
How can I start an events business without much money?
Look for ideas where you offer a skill, such as hosting, celebrancy or event planning, rather than buying lots of kit. If you need equipment, compare buying second-hand with renting, and check storage and transport costs before committing.