Night Out/Noson Allan, the Arts Council of Wales’ long-running scheme to help communities throughout Wales organise performances in village halls, sports clubs and all kinds of other smaller venues has launched a new, updated website at www.nightout.org.uk

For forty-four years, Night Out/Noson Allan, with help from local authorities around Wales, has helped support over 14,000 performances in community halls and venues across the country. 

In 2023/24 alone, the scheme funded 489 performances by 296 different promoter groups using 321 different venues and 2,694 volunteers.

The scheme acts as a booking system for community groups to arrange professional performers, but also as a ‘guarantee against loss’ so that organisers can book performers and have full confidence they will receive their performance fee through the Night Out/Noson Allan scheme, making it easier for community organisations to take the risk of staging events.

Peter Gregory, Head of Night Out/Noson Allan said, 

“Night Out/Noson Allan events allow people to experience the arts in places where they feel comfortable, sharing the experience alongside friends and neighbours. By listening to feedback from those who use the platform regularly, we very much hope that the enhancements we’ve made to our existing website will encourage new groups to do something special for their community as well as make the interface better for our long-term partners.”

The new website is both a booking system for groups to submit applications, and provides support, advice and a list of shows and performers available to book through the scheme. Performers are both Wales-based and international, and cover a range of styles from theatre and opera companies to music of all kinds, circus, storytelling and dance.

“We have some lovely shows and tours planned for our scheme in 2025,” says Peter “So start thinking ahead and register as a promoter on our scheme: it’s easy to do and our friendly team will be happy to guide you through it. It could be the start of something big for your community…www.nightout.org.uk.”

What they say about the Night Out Scheme   

"The entire audience was on the dance floor ... it was an outstanding evening, enjoyed by one and all. Night Out really reduced our stress … we were able to concentrate on getting the community together for a wonderful evening." 

  • India Centre, Hindu Cultural Association  

 “Amazing evening, I laughed and laughed, what a tonic. ...........so unexpected, they were fantastic, the energy on stage blew my mind.  When can they come again. They were so good with the audience, as if they knew them, I'd swear they were locals.”

  • Port Eynon Village Hall 

“Minimal set and only three in company made for an extremely easy set up and exit. The show was brilliant, and the audience was visibly moved. I can only feel sorry for those in my town who missed it” 

  • Dolgellau Amateur Dramatic Society 

“Pedair were amazing - they are such great musicians who perform with heart and soul - our sell-out audience loved them” 

  • Tywyn Magic Lantern  

“Night Out is an asset for our communities. The whole concept is based on the principles of equality and empowerment. We are fortunate to have a scheme like this in Wales”

  •  Kiran Cymru