There are lots of ways to find out what's on in York. Check out listings in the local press, free magazines like 'Your Local Link', 'The Talk' and 'YO1', local radio stations and websites like www.yorktwenty4seven.com and www.whatsonyork.com. Also, contact the venues directly - many will have their own brochures, mailing lists and e-mail bulletins, and a lot of pubs and bars will have posters or chalk boards. Good places to look for flyers are City Screen, your local library and the Tourist Information Centres. And don't forget to keep your eyes peeled in the city centre for cheery festival volunteers handing out flyers or programmes.

Liz Topi, Events and Festival Officer, City of York Council, Mill House, North Street, York YO1 6JD; email: liz.topi@york.gov.uk; Tel: 01904 554253; Mobile: 0780 1966 784. Liz can go through all aspects of event planning, location and management and assist with the legalities necessary for holding events of all sizes. She can also assist with Risk Assessment and the compilation of an Event Manual (See FAQ on Risk assessment).

Once you have established what kind of event you are holding and the potential size of the audience contact Liz Topi (see Who do I contact?). Liz, or one of the other people working on City of Festivals, will go through the potential sites in York and the surrounding area, both indoor and outdoor, to ascertain what best suits the needs of your event. For outdoor events we can advise on Council owned open spaces and marquee provision. 

There are four main areas you may like to investigate further in raising funds for your activities. Firstly how much money can you afford to invest yourself? Often others will only put money forward if you have something to start with. Do be careful about the level of risk you are entering into - can you afford to lose it all? Secondly you are likely to be able to generate money from ticket sales and other activities like raffles and selling goods - be realistic about how much this is likely to be. Thirdly you may be able to apply for funding from City of York Council or organisations such as Arts Council England, Awards for All or other lottery pots - make sure you do your research first on what the criteria are. Finally you may wish to consider commercial sponsorship and, again, research is essential. Raising the required finance is (one of!) the hardest parts of running a Festival. Make sure you plan carefully, are aware of 'the worst case scenario' and do all the research you can. For advice, contact Liz Topi, Events and Festivals Officer, City of York Council, Mill House, North Street, York YO1 6JD ; liz.topi@york.gov.uk; tel: 01904 554253; mobile: 0780 1966 784.

Be imaginative and creative in your approach. Unless you have tons of money for a TV campaign, you're likely to have to do things as cheaply as possible. Work out one sentence to describe your festival and memorise it. Talk to local press, radio and listings magazines. (A list of these are included in the marketing audit on this website). Perhaps think of some good ideas for a photo shoot. Posters, postcards and flyers can be effective but make sure they look good and have the right information on them. Think carefully about your target audience - is your festival really going to appeal to everyone? Speak to people who already have contact with your target audience and see if you can arrange ways for them to engage in your festival. Don't underestimate the power of word of mouth, tell everyone you know again and again and again. Keep going until they know your promotional message off by heart. Then start on their friends!

A Risk Assessment is a living document which highlights all potential hazards which may face your event - it assesses the degree of risk and what steps you, as organiser, have taken to ensure that those participating are safe. It is an essential document for insurance purposes, and not as daunting as people believe. For advice and assistance on this please contact Liz Topi, Events and Festivals Officer, City of York Council, Education and Leisure, Mill House, North Street, York YO1 6JD. liz.topi@york.gov.uk Tel: 01904 554253 Mobile: 0780 1966 784.

If you're looking for help with your event, you're at the right place to start! This website aims to cover everything you need to put on an event in York. If you've been through this site but we've missed something or you need some help, advice, or just a shoulder to cry on, get in touch with Len Davies (tel: 552270 or email elenid.davies@york.gov.uk) and she'll be happy to help. And don't forget to register at this website - via a password, you'll have access to information of specific interest to event organisers, including future networking and information events.

York Tourism Bureau offers a comprehensive conference venue database listing hotels and other conference venues in the York area. You can also phone the conference desk on 01904 554453/54, email conference@york-tourism.co.uk or visit www.conferenceyork.com

The Members area of the website holds information useful for event organisers in York (and quite a bit of it's useful for event organisers outside the city too). This includes tips on organising events, a list of venues in York, ways to market your event in York and the surrounding area, along with discussion boards, downloadable images of events and festivals in York and a place to sign up to volunteer to help out with events and festivals (which festival organisers can then use whe they need volunteers). It's free to register and we won't pass your details on to any third party.

Lots of festivals and events rely on kind-hearted people who give their free time up to help out. This website gives people the chance to sign up on our volunteers database - we'll send a message out to them if you need their help. Go to the Volunteers page and see how easy it can be.

Much of the outside spaces in York are owned by the Council and you can hire these, usually for free.
To hire Parliament Street, St Sampson's Square, King's Square or Exhibition Square, or to perform as a busker in any York city centre area, contact the City Centre Manager's office on 01904 552273/72.
To hire the Eye of York, Knavesmire, or other community parks, contact Liz Topi on 01904 554253. A detailed list of these is included on our Holding an Event page.
To hire a space in the Coppergate Centre, contact the Management office on 01904 627160.
To use the Museum Gardens, contact York Museums Trust on 01904 687687.
To use any area around York Minster, phone the Minster on 01904 557216.