Want to get into a festival for free this summer? Save the entrance fee so you have more to spend during the festival? If so, I got your back.
Festivals are one of the highlights of summer. Whether you’re into the big ones like Glastonbury or the Isle of Wight festival or niche ones like the English Riviera Food & Music Festival, there’s usually something going on.
There’s usually something to pay to get in too, especially for music festivals.
A weekend ticket to Glastonbury in 2023 is £335 plus a £5 booking fee. While that’s probably the most expensive example, it’s a lot of money!
Yet over 130,000 people every year willingly pay it.
Those who can’t afford it have to go without. Or do you?
Get into festivals for free
Did you know there’s a completely legit way to get into some festivals for free? Legally and completely within the rules?
You can get into some festivals for free by volunteering.
In exchange for a few hours of work, you’ll get free entry and perhaps a meal or a drink while you work.
Some of the festivals that accept volunteers include:
- Glastonbury
- Leeds/ Reading Festival
- Isle of Wight Festival
- Camp Bestival
- All Points East
- Creamfields
- Download
- Lattitude
- Boomtown
- Standon Calling
- Latitude
I’m going to be clear up front, competition is fierce for some of these festivals so you’ll need to move fast or put your name down well in advance.
Even then there’s no guarantee you’ll be selected unless you have key skills the festival needs.
Nonetheless, you must be in it to win it and what have you got to lose?
What do volunteers do at festivals?
If you do put your name down as a volunteer, what kind of work will you be doing?
It can literally be anything from checking tickets, marshalling, litter picking, tying wristbands, finding lost children, directing people to campsites or helping people find a parking spot.
You will need to be flexible, willing to muck in wherever you’re needed and not have any expectations or pretensions about what to expect.
You will be expected to work hard, do as you’re told, assist the organisers wherever possible and be an asset to the team.
Do well and you could stand a much better chance of being selected for future festivals.
You’ll find volunteers everywhere at a festival.
If you have key skills like first aid, speak multiple languages, have experience behind the bar or operating machinery, you’ll likely be exercising those skills.
Otherwise you’ll go into a labour pool and be assigned tasks as required.
Shifts are usually 8-9 hours long and will be assigned to you ahead of time unless there’s a last minute change.
For weekenders or longer festivals, you may be required to work evenings, nights or early mornings as required.
How to volunteer at a festival
You can put your name down to volunteer at festivals through many student organisations, via charities or through specific websites.
A few websites you can start with include:
Each site has an application form where you’ll need to provide a few simple details.
If you’re selected, you’ll be informed ahead of time and may have to attend basic training somewhere in the UK.
Many volunteer organisations will request a refundable deposit to secure your spot. This is because so many people sign up to volunteer and then let them down.
It also prevents someone signing up, getting their ticket and selling it for profit and not turning up.
You’ll get your money back if you turn up and do your shift(s), although refunds can take a couple of weeks.
Get into festivals for free this summer
Volunteering has so many benefits. Not only can you get into some leading festivals for free, you may also get secured camping spots and other benefits.
You’ll also get to do some good, meet new people, have new experiences and a free day or weekend away.
If you’re a student or looking for work, having volunteering on your CV can be a significant benefit too so there’s really no reason not to try it!
