Attendance at leisure activities in the UK - Data and Analysis (2006-2033)

Over the five years through 2026-27, IBISWorld estimates that the average attendance at leisure events and activities will grow at a compound annual rate of 6.5% to reach an index of 86.6 (2015-16 attendance = 100). The strong rate of growth largely reflects the low base at the start of the period, with attendance still depressed in 2021-22 as venues emerged from the coronavirus restrictions that had temporarily closed museums, galleries, public libraries, heritage sites and live events. The removal of most restrictions in July 2021 triggered a sharp recovery in leisure attendance through 2022-23, before growth moderated as the index moved closer to its pre-pandemic level and the cost-of-living squeeze weighed on discretionary spending. The rally is expected to continue this year, with a projected 3.2% increase in the index.Attendance and participation trends independent of each cultural activity category are disparate. According to the DCMS, 26% of people aged 16+ visited a library at least once in 2024-25, a single percentage point increase from 2023-24. Museum and gallery engagement dropped marginally, with 41% of people aged 16+ engaged with museums or galleries in 0224-25, compared to 43% in the year prior. In recent years, the DCMS has continued to cite a "lack of interest" and a "lack of time" as two of the most prominent barriers to participation across all categories. In a bid to develop and promote cultural experiences among the domestic population, the DCMS has continued to provide grant funding to recipients in the arts, museum, library and heritage sectors. In February 2025, the government announced "over £270m" of funding for arts and culture in 2025-26 through the Arts Everywhere Fund, including a new Creative Foundations Fund, a further round of the Museum Estate and Development Fund and a £20 million Museum Renewal Fund to protect civic museums' opening hours. This was scaled up in January 2026, when the Culture Secretary confirmed that over the course of this parliament, £1.5 billion will be invested across arts, cultural and heritage, providing support to arts venues, museums, libraries and heritage buildings across England.