Festivals are catalysts for creative, social, and economic development. Whilst playing an important role in driving local and national creative economies, festivals enable inclusive and sustainable growth for wider societal benefits. In February 2021, we commissioned the festival research as we noted a lack of evidence and data to demonstrate the socio-economic impact of the festival sector in the region. We wanted to learn more about the various festival typologies and the role they play within the sector itself, how they connect with communities, and the contribution the make to a nation’s creative economy.