Planning a performing arts school trip is about much more than choosing a destination and booking a performance.
The best performing arts tours give students opportunities to perform, develop their skills, experience professional theatre and music, and discover the culture of a new destination — all while building confidence and creating memories together.
Whether you’re planning a tour for a school choir, orchestra, band, drama group, dance group or performing arts department, there are plenty of things to consider.
From choosing the right destination and performance opportunities to workshops, accommodation, transport and safeguarding, here’s what teachers should know when planning a successful performing arts school trip.
If you’re looking for inspiration, start by exploring our Performing Arts School Trips.
Start with what you want students to get from the tour
Before choosing a destination, think about the purpose of your performing arts tour.
Do you want students to perform to an international audience? Take part in professional workshops? Experience live theatre? Develop as an ensemble? Or combine several of these?
Your objectives could include:
- Giving students experience of performing outside school
- Developing confidence on stage
- Improving ensemble skills
- Taking part in specialist workshops
- Experiencing professional performances
- Exploring music, drama or dance in a different culture
- Bringing different year groups together
- Rewarding students for their commitment to performing arts
Having clear objectives makes it much easier to build the right itinerary.
At Activ4, our Performing Arts School Trips are tailor-made around your group, so the programme can reflect your students, discipline and objectives.
Choose a destination that works for your group
There isn’t one “best” destination for every performing arts school trip.
A choir might prioritise beautiful churches and public performance spaces, while a drama group may want professional theatre workshops and live shows. An orchestra or concert band will have completely different logistical requirements again.
When comparing destinations, consider:
- Suitable performance venues
- Workshop opportunities
- Local arts and cultural experiences
- Concert or theatre availability
- Sightseeing opportunities
- Transport and journey times
- Suitable group accommodation
- Overall budget
Cities with strong musical and theatrical traditions can give students an additional connection to what they’re studying and performing.
Activ4 offers performing arts school tours across the UK, Europe and further afield, with itineraries created specifically for school groups.
Build the tour around performance opportunities
For many groups, performing is the highlight of the entire trip.
Think carefully about the type of experience you want students to have. Depending on your group and destination, performances could take place in public squares, churches, concert venues, schools or other appropriate settings.
Consider:
- Your ensemble size
- Student ages
- Repertoire
- Performance length
- Instruments and technical requirements
- Changing and preparation facilities
- Audience
- Venue restrictions
- Transporting equipment
- Rehearsal requirements
The earlier these details are considered, the easier it is to find appropriate performance opportunities.
A specialist school tour operator can work with venues and local partners to help match your group with suitable performance settings rather than simply adding a generic concert to the itinerary.
Include workshops with professionals
Performing is only one part of a successful performing arts tour.
Workshops can give students the opportunity to learn from professional performers, directors, musicians, dancers and practitioners outside their normal school environment.
Depending on your programme, students could take part in:
- Musical theatre workshops
- Acting workshops
- Dance sessions
- Vocal workshops
- Instrumental masterclasses
- Ensemble coaching
- Rehearsal sessions
- Performance technique workshops
These experiences can help students develop confidence and technique while introducing them to different approaches to performing.
For groups that want workshops to be at the heart of their tour, Activ4 also runs dedicated performing arts events such as ArtsFest, combining specialist workshops, performance opportunities and a wider programme of activities.
Think beyond the performance
Some of the most valuable experiences happen away from the stage.
A performing arts trip gives students the opportunity to experience the artistic culture of another city or country.
Depending on your destination, your itinerary might include:
- A West End or international theatre production
- Opera or classical music performances
- Famous concert venues
- Theatre tours
- Museums
- Historic performance spaces
- Cultural sightseeing
- Backstage experiences
For example, a performing arts tour to Italy could combine performance opportunities with the artistic heritage of destinations such as Venice, Verona and Milan.
The key is to create an itinerary where the destination complements the performing arts experience rather than simply acting as a backdrop.
Don’t make the itinerary too busy
It’s tempting to fit as much as possible into an overseas school trip.
But performing arts groups have additional demands.
Students may need time for rehearsals, warm-ups, changing, instrument preparation and travelling to performance venues. They also need downtime.
A good itinerary balances:
Performance + Learning + Sightseeing + Social Time + Rest
If students are performing in the evening, for example, a packed sightseeing programme immediately beforehand might not be the best choice.
Building some flexibility into the itinerary can make the overall experience much more enjoyable.
Consider instruments, costumes and equipment early
This is particularly important for orchestras, bands and larger ensembles.
Before confirming your transport arrangements, establish exactly what needs to travel with you.
Think about:
- Large instruments
- Hand luggage restrictions
- Airline instrument policies
- Music stands
- Sheet music
- Costumes
- Props
- Technical equipment
- Storage
- Insurance
In some destinations, it may be more practical to hire larger instruments or equipment locally rather than transporting everything from the UK.
Make a detailed equipment list early so these requirements can be considered when planning your school tour.
Choose accommodation suitable for a school group
Location can make a significant difference to a performing arts itinerary.
A cheaper hotel on the outskirts of a city may initially look attractive, but additional transfers to performances, workshops and sightseeing can make the programme more complicated.
Consider:
- Distance from performance venues
- Public transport links
- Coach access
- Student room configurations
- Staff rooms
- Meal arrangements
- Group meeting spaces
- Security and supervision
- Instrument or equipment storage
Your accommodation needs to work with your itinerary, not against it.
Plan safety and safeguarding from the beginning
As with any educational visit, appropriate planning and risk management should be built into your performing arts tour from the outset.
Schools should consider areas including:
- Transport
- Accommodation
- Student supervision
- Performance venues
- Workshops and activities
- Medical requirements
- Free time
- Evening activities
- Emergency procedures
If you’re travelling abroad, there are additional considerations around passports, insurance, travel arrangements and local support.
Choosing an experienced school tour operator can help reduce the administrative burden on the party leader.
Activ4 provides dedicated Group Leader Support, including information and documentation to help schools prepare for their visit.
Get SLT and EVC approval early
Before launching your trip to students and parents, you’ll usually need approval from your school’s senior leadership team and/or Educational Visits Coordinator.
Give them a clear overview of:
- The educational purpose of the tour
- Destination and dates
- Proposed itinerary
- Performance and workshop opportunities
- Accommodation
- Transport
- Expected cost
- Supervision
- Risk management
- Tour operator credentials and financial protection
The clearer the proposal, the easier it is for decision-makers to understand the value of the trip.
Our school trip planning process is designed to support teachers from the initial idea through to departure.
Give parents plenty of information
A performing arts tour can involve more moving parts than a conventional sightseeing trip, so clear communication with parents is important.
They are likely to want to know:
- Where students are staying
- How they are travelling
- Who will supervise them
- Where they will perform
- What equipment or clothing they need
- How meals work
- What is included in the price
- What happens in an emergency
- How much spending money they need
Providing information early can reassure families and reduce the number of individual questions teachers receive.
Remember the wider benefits of performing arts travel
The value of a performing arts school trip goes far beyond the final performance.
Performing somewhere unfamiliar can require students to adapt, work together and manage nerves. Travelling as an ensemble encourages responsibility and teamwork, while workshops can expose students to new techniques and ideas.
Students can develop:
- Confidence
- Independence
- Creativity
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Resilience
- Performance skills
- Cultural awareness
And then there’s the experience itself.
Performing with your classmates in another city or country can become one of those school memories students talk about for years afterwards.
Ready to plan your performing arts school trip?
Whether you’re planning a tour for a choir, orchestra, concert band, dance group, drama department or mixed performing arts group, Activ4 can create an itinerary around your students and objectives.
With more than 25 years’ experience organising tailor-made school tours, we’ll help coordinate the practical details — from transport and accommodation to workshops, performance opportunities, activities and sightseeing.
That means you can concentrate on preparing your students for the experience.
Explore Performing Arts School Trips
Performing Arts School Trip FAQs
What can students do on a performing arts school trip?
Performing arts tours can combine performances, professional workshops, cultural visits, live shows and sightseeing. The programme should be tailored to the type of group travelling and its educational objectives.
Where can school performing arts groups travel?
There are opportunities across the UK, Europe and further afield. The right destination depends on your discipline, performance requirements, budget and the type of cultural experiences you want to include.
Explore Activ4’s Performing Arts School Trips for inspiration.
Can school groups perform while abroad?
Yes. Suitable opportunities can be arranged depending on the destination, ensemble, repertoire and availability. Providing details about your group early helps identify appropriate venues.
Can we include performing arts workshops?
Yes. Workshops can be incorporated into performing arts itineraries and tailored towards disciplines such as drama, dance, music and musical theatre.
Can orchestras and bands travel with instruments?
Yes, although instrument transportation should be considered early in the planning process. Requirements vary depending on the instrument, airline or transport provider and destination. In some cases, hiring larger equipment locally may be more practical.
How far in advance should we plan a performing arts school trip?
Planning early is recommended, particularly if you require specific performance venues, workshops or shows. Starting early also gives families more time to budget and gives your tour operator more flexibility when sourcing accommodation and activities.
Are performing arts school trips suitable for different age groups?
Yes. The itinerary, workshops and performance opportunities can be adapted according to students’ ages, experience and ability.
Thinking about taking your students on a performing arts tour? Request a quote from Activ4 and we’ll help you build a programme around your group.
