Ministry of Culture approves new rules for concerts and festivals during air alerts

In Ukraine, cultural and entertainment events may begin and continue during a yellow air threat level. The Ministry of Culture has approved recommendations for organizers, but holding an event is possible only if there is an accessible shelter with sufficient capacity.

This was reported by Ministry of Culture of Ukraine.

According to the new recommendations, the establishment of a yellow threat level does not mean automatic postponement, stopping or cancellation of the event. The organizer independently decides whether to start or continue the event, taking into account the security situation and a pre-prepared action plan.

For this, visitors, participants and staff must have actual access to a shelter. Its capacity must be sufficient to accommodate all those present, including performers and employees.

Organizers must also determine routes to shelters in advance, ensure free access to evacuation exits, and designate staff who will monitor changes in threat level and inform visitors.

Before the event starts, people are advised to be informed about where the nearest shelter is, how to get there, and what to do during yellow or red threat levels. This information can be placed on tickets, websites, social networks and messengers, information boards and screens, as well as distributed via QR codes.

Visitors may go to shelter on their own

If a yellow level is established during the event, the organizer must inform visitors and tell them whether the event can continue.

At the same time, each person has the right to decide independently whether to stay at the event or go to a shelter. The organizer must not prevent anyone from leaving and, if necessary, must help people reach a safe place.

For indoor events, the Ministry of Culture also recommends, if possible, limiting people's stay near large areas of glazing and other structures that may pose additional danger due to blast waves or debris.

At red level, the event must be stopped

Rules change significantly at a red threat level. If it is established before the start of an event, the event cannot begin. If a red level is announced during the event, the organizer must stop the event and direct visitors, participants and staff to shelter in an organized manner.

If the red level subsequently changes to yellow, the event is not automatically resumed. First, the organizer must assess the situation, check the premises and movement routes, and ensure there are no additional restrictions from authorities.

The Ministry of Culture recommends resuming the event no earlier than 30 minutes after informing visitors about its continuation. People who have already left for shelter must be given the opportunity to re-enter with the ticket they have already purchased.

Additional conditions apply for open-air concerts and festivals

Separate recommendations are provided for concerts, festivals, fairs, exhibitions and other mass events in open areas.

Organizers must consider not only the total capacity of shelters, but also the distance to them, the throughput of routes and the ability to quickly move all visitors without dangerous crowding.

If timely access to shelter cannot be ensured for all participants, holding a mass event in an open area at yellow threat level is not recommended.

When deciding to postpone, resume or cancel an event, organizers are also advised to take into account the duration of the break, the start time of the curfew, public transport operation and the possibility of safe return of visitors home.

The Ministry of Culture emphasizes that the new recommendations do not cancel civil protection legislation and decisions of military command, military administrations, state and local authorities. If additional bans or restrictions apply in a specific territory, organizers must comply with them.

Yellow and red air threat levels are provided by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 1092 of September 4, 2026. The recommendations of the Ministry of Culture themselves were approved by Order No. 1095 of September 9.