Day bag. Pack a small rucksack/day bag/cross body with everything you need for the day. You will not want to trek back to your tent/campervan as there is too much to do and the distances too great.
I always carry the following everyday: phone, portable charger, wallet (cash and card), water bottle, alcohol, some small snacks, a small, lightweight blanket/shawl to sit on or wrap round you if cold at night, a waterproof bag for valuables if it rains, sunglasses, sun hat and suncream, waterproof/lightweight rain coat, clothing layers (it can get really cold after dark). If it’s really wet, I will sometimes take a change of clothes. Nothing worse than getting completely soaked and having to walk all the way back to your tent/van. Remember that you will have to carry it and perhaps dance in it – so keep the bag light weight and simple. Your alcohol will probably weigh the most but will go down throughout the day.
- Plan some of your day. With so much to see and do – you will need to plan some of the day, otherwise you will miss your favourite bands – especially if you want to be close to the front of a stage. Do not forget to plan in food and toilet breaks! But also remember, that some of the best experiences at Glastonbury are those you stumble upon – completely unplanned.
- Pace yourselves. Many festivals don’t get going until around 4pm and everything shuts at 2am. Glastonbury gets going at around 10am and doesn’t really stop…you can quite easily still be dancing at 5am as the sun comes up. Therefore, forgive yourself if you have a little nap in the sunshine or some quiet time watching a circus act or relaxing while you people watch.
- Spend time away from the main stages. Often, first timers find themselves trapped at the main stages waiting for the next band. My advice would be to make sure you set aside enough time to just go and explore – there’s so much to see and do, other than live music. It’s called Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts for a reason – there’s world-class dance, poetry, film, mime, circus, street art – the list goes on and on.
- Wristbands and tickets. You must wear your wristband at all times and have your ticket with you. If you leave the site during the festival – you will be given a ‘pass-out’ ticket. To get back in – you need to show your wristband, your Glastonbury Festival ticket and your ‘pass-out’ ticket. Remember, the campervan fields, pre-elected tent fields, local hotels and private campsites are all offsite. So you need to keep your wristband on at all times, and your ticket safe and dry.
- Mobile phones. A great hack with your mobile phone is to make your screen saver your friend’s phone number. Lost phones get handed in all the time and this is a great way for the Glastonbury crew to get your phone back to you quickly – they will simply call your friend. There is a huge ‘recharge’ tent onsite – you can either queue and sit inside to recharge or buy one of the charging units and swop in for a fully charged unit each day.
- Safety. I have always found Glastonbury Festival an extremely safe place to visit.Remember, it’s the size of a small city – so just behave as you would in any other crowded place. Property lock ups around the site are the safest way to store any valuable items you have had to bring. They are open 24 hours a day – are very safe and efficient. Do not leave valuables in your tent.
- Health. There is a medical centre on site, two pharmacies and lots of help and support available, for individual needs and requirements. Check with the Glastonbury website for information.
- Information Points. There are ‘Information points’ around the site which provide invaluable support, guidance, information and help. They are great places to ask questions, find directions, get help. If you are taken short, they have free toilet rolls, sanitary products, sunscreen, condoms and ear plugs. If in doubt – check it out at the information points.
- Toilets. Though Glastonbury toilets are infamous – I think they are pretty darn good compared to other festival toilets. Firstly, they are plentiful and any queues are usually manageable. Secondly, there are water points where you can wash your hands – though bring your own hand sanitiser/toilet paper. Thirdly, there are an increasing number of compostable toilets and female urinals which are great. Lastly, there are teams of people who keep the toilets as bearable as possible – give them some love if you see them!
- T-shirts. Finally, Glastonbury t-shirts. Sizes and colours sell out quickly – so buy early – no point in leaving until the Sunday night. However, if you can’t find what you are looking for on-site – they do continue to sell them on the Glastonbury website after the event. If you are prepared to wait – they sometimes get knocked down in price.
We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us. 