Join us

Are you running a music, dance, theatre, circus, film, literature or multidisciplinary arts festival? Do you operate internationally and want to be part of a bigger festival community? Then the European Festivals Association is the right network for your festival! EFA welcomes festivals of all sizes, from near and far, across all artistic disciplines to join the works.

How can you join

Festivals are invited to submit their application

The EFA Board evaluates the applications throughout the year and presents approved festivals to the General Assembly. During the EFA Members Catch Up meetings, EFA Members vote on applicant festivals. Applying festivals are invited to these meetings too.

Send your application form (and recommendation letter in case you are co-opted by an EFA Member) on these dates the latest:

11 April 2025
21 November 2025

Applying festivals will be accepted on the following dates:

27-30 April 2025 – EFA Members General Assembly and Catch Up Spring – Inviting new members during the Arts Festivals Summit
4 December 2025 – EFA Members Catch Up Autumn – Inviting new members

Benefits of being a member

Thanks to EFA, each member festival is in the position to benefit from a diverse range of returns.

Broaden your network

Increase your networking opportunities by accessing EFA Members and EFA’s close contacts when looking for partners, artists and speakers for your festival and other projects.
Enjoy free registration to all EFA’s activities and co-host the Arts Festivals Summits, Board meetings, Denis de Rougemont Forum, well-being retreats, etc.

Exchange knowledge and practices

Receive the latest professional information your festival shouldn’t miss out on.
Learn from EU funding opportunities your festival can apply to.
Log on to the EFA digital space to contact and connect with EFA Members and access useful digital content (meetings’ recordings and notes, performances recommendations, etc.).

Build your skills

Learn from experts and mentors and develop your professional skills through the Ateliers of The Festival Academy with participants from all over the world. EFA Members get a discount for each member of their team for each workshop (€1900 instead of €2400).

Benefit from professional advocacy, lobbying, and info on EU policy and legal affairs through EFA’s joint initiatives with colleague networks, and association membership to Pearle* Live Performance Europe, Culture Action Europe (CAE), International Music Council (IMC), European Early Music Network (EEMN/ REMA), and IETM–International network for contemporary performing arts.

Gain international visibility

Benefit from international promotion of your festival, organisation, news, initiatives and projects.
Show that you are a professional and serious festival by adding the logo of EFA, and the EFFE Label to your website and communication documents.
Make your fundraising/sponsoring efforts easier by being a member of EFA and improve your results.

Connect to the political level

Be closer to your cities and regions’ representatives through the EFFE Seal for Festival Cities and Regions.
Be more visible and represented towards decision-makers at the European level and engage with the European Commission and European Parliament through your membership.

More information on the application process and guidelines of the association can be found here:

In case of questions, please do not hesitate to contact the EFA Secretariat.