The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games along with grassroots HebCelt and Tiree festivals have made this year’s National Outdoor Events Association (NOEA) Awards shortlist, which celebrates excellence across the UK’s outdoor events industry.
HebCelt is in the running for three major prizes at the awards which also considers agricultural shows, major international occasions and local authority events.
The Isle of Lewis based festival has been shortlisted for both Regional Event of the Year and for Best Accessibility and Inclusion Initiative.
Festival Operations Coordinator, Carol Ferguson, has also been nominated for the Best Unsung Heroine Award in recognition of her work.
Ferguson said: “These three nominations mean so much to us. We are absolutely delighted and incredibly proud of everyone who makes our festival what it is.
“HebCelt is so much more than three days of music - it is a celebration of our islands, our culture, our community and the people who make it all happen, so to make the Regional shortlist is incredibly special.
“Being nominated for Best Accessibility and Inclusion Initiative is particularly poignant for us and is an area that is incredibly close to our hearts. We are continually striving to make HebCelt more accessible and inclusive across every aspect of the festival, from our programming and volunteering opportunities to the experience of our audience.
“For me, personally, to be nominated has come as such an amazing surprise. But we simply couldn’t do what we do without all the incredible people who give their time, energy and passion to our festival and, of course, our amazing audience.”
Tiree Festival, run as an independent Community Interest Company (CIC) is also nominated in the Regional Event category. Headliners at this year’s festival included Skipinnish, Dougie McLean, Skerryvore, Peat & Diesel.
NOEA describes itself as the UK’s leading trade association, working with UK and devolved governments to represent and progress the outdoor events sector, and campaigning on issues such as diversity, sustainability and security.
Revealing the shortlist, it said: “Together with categories recognising safety, innovation, education and unsung individuals, the 2026 shortlist puts the spotlight on an industry whose achievements reach from the international stage to the heart of local life.”
Winners will be announced at a special ceremony in Bath, on 25 November.
HebCelt celebrates its 30th anniversary edition from July 14-17, 2027. Tickets and payment plans are on sale now.
Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, which is shortlisted for Event of the Year and in the Place Maker award category.
A streamlined, sustainable version of the XXIII Commonwealth Games took place in Glasgow.
The city stepped in after the original Australian host Victoria withdrew.
2,749 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations competed across 10 sports and 6 integrated Para-sports.
NOEA stated: “From major international occasions to events rooted in their local communities, the finalists demonstrate the breadth of talent behind the UK’s outdoor events calendar.
With standards continuing to rise and competition for recognition remaining fierce, the awards celebrate both the experiences audiences enjoy and the people who make them possible.”