ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the relationship between leisure consumption and events. Events are largely consumed within individual and group leisure time (which also includes tourism as a form of leisure) and the chapter makes the case for public events. Public events are viewed as meeting a range of societal goals, including enhanced well-being. The chapter examines some of the key concepts associated with the attendance at events, including social capital as well as the wider leisure benefits of public engagement with events. The chapter views events through the lens of leisure, highlighting the relationship with lifestyle, community, self-actualisation and physical and mental health benefits of events. The dimension of leisure remains a neglected area of events research, particularly the public policy dimension and the growing importance of the economic rather than societal rationale for hosting events.
