Festival Operations and Health & Safety: Boa Nova Festival 2026
Background
Boa Nova is a vibrant Brazilian cultural festival produced by Elixar Events, bringing together live music, food, culture and community in the heart of East London.
We Are OPS has built a long-standing relationship with Elixar Events, supporting the delivery of multiple events over several years. For Boa Nova, our team was engaged throughout the entire event lifecycle, providing support across the planning, build, live event and break phases. Working alongside The Fair, we delivered a fully integrated operational solution that ensured every aspect of the festival was planned, managed and delivered safely.
Our brief covered comprehensive event operations, including event licensing, safety management, documentation, stakeholder liaison and on-site operational support. With a collaborative approach and extensive experience delivering outdoor events, We Are OPS helped create a safe, compliant and enjoyable festival for everyone involved.
Image Credit: @benmcquaide
Delivery
- Delivered end-to-end event operations across planning, build, live event and break.
- Managed all event licensing requirements and regulatory documentation.
- Produced comprehensive Event Safety Management Plans and supporting documentation.
- Completed detailed risk assessments and compliance documentation.
- Provided on-site Health & Safety Advisors throughout the event.
- Coordinated with the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), local authority and emergency services in Waltham Forest.
- Developed emergency response and contingency plans.
- Delivered medical planning and operational coordination.
- Managed crowd safety planning and operational procedures.
- Oversaw site inspections and compliance monitoring.
Results
- Successfully delivered a safe festival for over 4,000 attendees.
- Received highly positive feedback from the Safety Advisory Group, police and local authority partners
- Local police described Boa Nova as the standard they want other festivals in the area to achieve, recognising the professionalism of the operational planning and delivery.
- Positive feedback was also received from local residents following the event.
- Successfully adapted operational plans to manage exceptionally high temperatures and prolonged sunshine, ensuring the welfare of staff, contractors and attendees through proactive monitoring and mitigation measures.
- Positive press coverage
Testimonial
Police commended the operational delivery, stating that Boa Nova had become the benchmark they would like other festivals in the area to follow. Combined with positive comments from the Safety Advisory Group, local authority representatives and nearby residents.
Press
Positive press coverage included The Festivals preview of Boa Nova's London debut: https://thefestivals.uk/boa-nova-festival-full-line-up-for-london-debut/
