Since the pandemic, 204 UK festivals have closed, cancelled, or disappeared, according to the Association for Independent Festivals (AIF). This number has doubled from 36 cancellations last year to 72 in 2024, highlighting a worsening crisis for festival organizers. AIF CEO John Rostron attributes this decline to factors like inflation and the cost of living crisis and advocates for reducing VAT on festival tickets from 20% to 5% to stimulate sales. Despite the festival sector’s economic importance, many promoters are struggling, with several notable festivals already cancelling their upcoming editions.