What should a candlelight concert ticket cover?

In this example: venue hire, musicians, candles (led). Count the costs paid for each person apart from the ones paid once, and add any profit you want.

What if fewer people come?

At $21 a ticket the example makes a loss of $690 with 60 people and a loss of $60 with 90.

Who pays the booking fee?

The buyer, on top of the ticket price: $1.39 on a $21 ticket, so you receive the whole $21.

How much should I charge for a candlelight concert?

The short answer

For the example below, charge about $21 a ticket.

That covers $1,950 in costs for 120 people and leaves $500 profit; the break-even price is $16.25. With One Ticket’s booking fee passed on, buyers pay $22.39 and you receive $21 a ticket.

This is an example, not a quote or an average: use your own costs in the calculator below.

The example budget

Cost	Amount
Venue hire	$600
Musicians	$1,200
Candles (LED)	$150
Total costs	$1,950
People expected	120
Profit wanted	$500

Worked example

At $21 a ticket, what you receive and keep if fewer than 120 come:

Attendance	You receive	Profit
Half (60 people)	$1,260	-$690
Three quarters (90 people)	$1,890	-$60
All 120 people	$2,520	$570

And at the prices either side:

Ticket price	Buyer pays	Profit at 120 people	People to break even
$19	$20.35	$330	103 people
$20	$21.37	$450	98 people
$21	$22.39	$570	93 people
$22	$23.40	$690	89 people
$23	$24.42	$810	85 people

Try your own numbers

The calculator starts with the example’s figures: change any of them.

Break-even price: $16.25
Suggested price: $21
Buyer pays: $22.39
You receive a ticket: $21

Charge $21 a ticket. Buyers pay $22.39 with One Ticket’s booking fee, and you receive $21 a ticket. At 120 people you receive $2,520, $570 more than the $1,950 in costs.

If fewer people come

Attendance	You receive	Profit
Half (60 people)	$1,260	-$690
Three quarters (90 people)	$1,890	-$60
All 120 people	$2,520	$570

Prices either side

Ticket price	Buyer pays	Profit if all come	People to break even
$19	$20.35	$330	103 people
$20	$21.37	$450	98 people
$21	$22.39	$570	93 people
$22	$23.40	$690	89 people
$23	$24.42	$810	85 people

Tips for a candlelight concert

Musicians and the room are paid whatever the turnout, so check the price at three quarters full as well as sold out. Some venues allow only LED candles, so ask before you buy.

More in the guide: How do I make a candlelight concert page that sells?.

A refund policy to match: Refund policy template for a candlelight concert.

The booking fee

One Ticket adds a booking fee at checkout: $1.39 on a $21 ticket, paid by the buyer, so you receive the whole price. It is the same on every plan, free tickets carry none and the Free plan has no monthly cost. See One Ticket pricing.

Common questions

How much should I charge for a candlelight concert?: For the example budget on this page ($1,950 in costs for 120 people, $500 profit), about $21 a ticket. It is an example: use your own costs.
What should a candlelight concert ticket cover?: In this example: venue hire, musicians, candles (led). Count the costs paid for each person apart from the ones paid once, and add any profit you want.
What if fewer people come?: At $21 a ticket the example makes a loss of $690 with 60 people and a loss of $60 with 90.
Who pays the booking fee?: The buyer, on top of the ticket price: $1.39 on a $21 ticket, so you receive the whole $21.