Refund for a Cancelled Festival or Concert
It is incredibly frustrating when a highly anticipated festival or concert gets cancelled. You bought tickets, made plans, and now you are left with nothing. Fortunately, you have clear consumer rights to get your money back.
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Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, if a service, such as a concert or festival, you have paid for is not provided, you are entitled to a refund. The organiser has a legal obligation to provide the event as advertised. If they fail to do so due to cancellation, they must refund your ticket cost. If you paid by credit card for tickets costing over £100, Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 makes your card provider jointly liable with the organiser, offering an additional layer of protection. For debit card payments, you can typically pursue a 'chargeback' claim through your bank, which reverses the transaction if the service was not delivered.
Step by step
- 1Check the organiser's official cancellation policy and any announcements regarding refunds. They often provide a specific process to follow.
- 2Contact the event organiser or ticket vendor directly in writing. Clearly state that the event was cancelled and you are requesting a full refund for your tickets.
- 3If the organiser or vendor refuses a refund or does not respond, contact your bank or credit card provider. Explain the situation and initiate a Section 75 claim if you paid by credit card for tickets over £100, or a chargeback claim if you paid by debit card.
- 4If all else fails, consider escalating your complaint to an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme if the organiser is a member, or seek advice from Citizens Advice for further steps.
What they'll say, and your comeback
“We are only offering vouchers or credit for future events.”
Comeback, Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, as the service was not provided, I am legally entitled to a full cash refund, not just a voucher or credit.
“The cancellation was due to unforeseen circumstances, so we are not liable for refunds.”
Comeback, While the circumstances may be unforeseen, the contract for the service was not fulfilled. My right to a refund for a cancelled event remains, regardless of the reason for cancellation.
“Refunds will take up to 90 days to process due to high demand.”
Comeback, While some delay is understandable, an excessive delay constitutes a breach of your obligation to provide a refund within a reasonable timeframe. I expect a prompt refund.
FAQ
Can I get a refund for my travel or accommodation costs?
Generally, the event organiser is only responsible for refunding your ticket cost. You would need to check the cancellation policies of your airline, hotel, or travel insurance provider for refunds on associated costs.
What if the event is rescheduled instead of cancelled?
If an event is rescheduled, you typically have the option to either attend the new date with your existing ticket or request a full refund if the new date is unsuitable for you. Check the organiser's specific policy for rescheduled events.
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Reclaim it now, free →More money you might be owed
- UKHow to get a refund for a faulty product (even 'out of policy')
- UK / EUHow to get a refund when your order never arrived
- EUResolve a cross-border online purchase dispute (ECC-Net)
- SpainCómo reclamar la devolución por un producto defectuoso en España
- PortugalDevolução de produto com defeito em Portugal
- FranceProduit défectueux : garantie légale de conformité en France
A self-serve tool, not a law firm. General information, not legal advice.