Skiddle and AIF back 20 festivals with membership and support

Small festivals bring big ideas to life, and we’re helping 20 of them prepare for their ambitious 2027 editions by fully funding memberships to the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) 

For the second year running, we’ve teamed up with the AIF to support independent UK festivals. This time, the initiative focuses on small and micro events with capacities of 2,000 or fewer. These low-capacity festivals make up a major part of the community. In 2025 alone, they accounted for 56% of all festivals listed on Skiddle. 

In addition to gaining memberships, each selected festival will receive a tailored promotional support package from Skiddle worth up to £5,000 to help spread the word about the event, reach new audiences and grow.

Small festivals, big ambitions

The selected events showcase the variety that makes the UK’s independent festival scene worth backing.

They include Torquay’s Burn It Down Festival, championing metal, punk and hardcore; WILDHOOD Festival, an all-inclusive, family-friendly event; and Cardiff Psych and Noise Festival, celebrating psychedelic rock, noise rock and experimental music.

For organisers working with small teams and tight budgets, having people in your corner can make a real difference.

As Sturge Mazzocchi, Festival Director of LitFest, explains:

“I’m certain that this support, at such an important stage in LitFest’s development, will help cement the foundations, its community and delivery of the festival for many years to come.”

Support beyond ticketing

Through AIF membership, the selected organisers will join a community where festival teams are encouraged to exchange their experiences and learn from one another. They’ll also build new connections through online and in-person member meetings and networking days.

Skiddle’s promotional package will help put their 2027 events in front of potential ticket buyers through:

• A featured listing in Skiddle’s Festival Guide.
• Editorial support and paid campaigns delivered by our content and marketing team.
• Expert account management from our festival specialists.

The initiative builds on last year’s partnership, which supported 22 festivals, including Moovin Festival, GemFest, Love To Be Festival and Caribbean Rocks.

Duncan King, Head of Partnerships at Skiddle, said:

“By working with organisations like the AIF, we can help these festivals access education, networking opportunities and promotional backing, supporting their long-term future.”

Meet the 20 selected festivals

Congratulations to all the festivals receiving support for their 2027 events:

• BOIA
• Burn It Down Festival
• Buzzstock Music Festival
• Cardiff Psych and Noise Festival
• Country on the Coast
• LitFest
• Madchester Festival
• Meltchester
• Novacaine Festival
• Open Arms Fest
• Out & Wild Festival
• Outer Town Festival
• Outer Waves
• SCOTTISH HOUSE & DISCO FESTIVAL
• Supersonic Festival
• The Festival of Vocal Arts
• Vibrant open air
• Westival
• WILDHOOD Festival
• Wood Fest

We’re looking forward to working with their teams and helping bring their next editions to life.

Planning your own 2027 festival?

The Skiddle Promotion Centre is your friend.

It’s packed with free-to-use tools and features that our team have built specifically to help festivals achieve their sales goals – from customisable Payment Plans to Festival Alerts and our RapidScan Box Office feature. 

Explore Skiddle’s festival services and speak to our team about the options for your event.