Award-winning initiative returns to empower the next generation of Black live events professionals – applications now open
Bristol Beacon is calling for applications to Festival & Carnival Lab 2026, its award-winning professional development programme tackling the severe underrepresentation of Black professionals across the UK’s live events sector.
Now entering its second year in Bristol, Festival Lab is open to aspiring and early-career Black creatives aged 18-35 who are looking to break into or progress within the live events industry. The programme offers expert-led training, paid placements at major UK festivals and direct access to industry mentors and networks – all designed to unlock real pathways into senior-level roles across the sector.
Applications are open now at https://bristolbeacon.org/be-creative/festival-lab/.
The 2026 programme runs from March to May, culminating in a participant-led showcase event. Participants also gain paid experience at high-profile events such as Boomtown, Simple Things Festival and Shambala, with alumni going on to work for Glastonbury Festival, We Out Here and other leading organisations.
Festival & Carnival Lab was founded in 2023 in London by events company Continental Drifts, Pax Nindi (Global Carnivalz) and events professional Andrea Mahoney, who now leads the Bristol programme as Creative Skills & Studios Manager at Bristol Beacon. On expanding to Bristol in 2025, Festival Lab gained funding support from Arts Council England, the London Legacy Development Corporation and Bristol Beacon, and has since grown a UK-wide network of partners across the events industry.
Participants on the course gain access to an intensive eight week training programme covering logistics, event management, artist liaison, health and safety, technical production and more. This is complemented by paid, real-world experience at leading UK festivals, giving participants the chance to put their learning into practice in live environments. They also have the opportunity to gain a Level 3 qualification in Festival Production – the only course in the UK endorsed by Glastonbury Festival – delivered in partnership with City of Bristol College. Crucially, the programme offers long-term career support, networking and mentoring designed to open doors well beyond the end of the course.
“Festival Lab is about skills, of course”, said Andrea Mahoney, Creative Skills and Studios Manager at Bristol Beacon. “But it’s also about building confidence, cultural pride and community. We want our participants to feel they belong in this industry – and that they can lead within it.”
Festival & Carnival Lab has already gained national recognition, winning Best Accessibility and Inclusion Initiative at the 2025 National Outdoor Events Association Awards and the Diversity and Inclusion Award at the Access All Areas Awards.
“We’re proud to deliver Festival Lab as part of our commitment to nurturing the region’s creative industries and championing the next generation of Black event professionals” said Simon Wales, Chief Executive of Bristol Beacon.
“The statistics show that diversity behind the scenes is lagging behind that of the artists on our stages and the audiences we serve. Festival Lab is changing that – and the team have built a fantastic programme which helps participants unlock their potential and access the industry.”
Applications for Festival Lab 2026 are open now and close Friday 20 February 2026.
Eligible applicants must be aged 18–35, of Black heritage, and have some experience in events or related creative industries.
Apply or learn more at: https://bristolbeacon.org/be-creative/festival-lab/ .
Author: Kizzy Allott
Kizzy Allott is Publisher at Event Industry News, where she has been a driving force behind the brand for over a decade. With a deep understanding of the events sector and a passion for storytelling, Kizzy leads the platform’s commercial and content strategy, connecting the industry through news, insights, and meaningful conversations. She is dedicated to championing innovation, amplifying industry voices, and ensuring event professionals stay informed, inspired, and future-focused.
