We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.

If you are a festival virgin – or simply a Glastonbury Festival virgin – you will have a zillion questions swirling around your head. Going to any festival requires a bit of preparation and some purposeful packing, no matter how experienced a festival goer you are.

It’s important to remember that everybody has a different experience at Glastonbury Festival depending on what they like to listen to, do and see. The festival has something for everyone and as such, attracts thousands of people every year from different age demographics. You will find tiny babies, right up to those in their 80s. It’s this wide diversity that makes the festival so special and brings people back year-on-year. It also means that whoever you are, whatever you look like and whatever you like to do – you will immediately feel part of the party.

While nothing can truly prepare you for your first time at Glastonbury Festival, here are some simple steps to help you:

1. Prepare well – read our post on Top Tips to Prepare and Glastonbury Festival with Children
2. Pack well – read our post on What to Pack , Glastonbury Festival Food and Drink and Festival Food What to Pack
3. Party well – read our post on Top Tips to Thrive During the Festival

While you can spend hours pondering your outfits, picking your food and drink and packing, nothing will prepare you for the ecstatic feeling you will have the first time you see the Pyramid Stage in front of you – it is completely and utterly iconic.

But accept the fact that at times, you might also feel a little overwhelmed – this is completely normal – everyone at Glastonbury feels overwhelmed at some point during the weekend.

Many first-timers worry about the following:

1. Crowds – this is inevitable at the big stages, particularly during changeover from one band to another. But the site has plenty of quieter and more tranquil areas if it all becomes too much – take some time out – watch a performance – see some circus – listen to an acoustic set – find your vibe.
2. Toilets – they are basic but plentiful. Bring your toilet tissue and your hand sanitiser. Time it well so you don’t miss anything and make it quick!
3. Safety – Glastonbury is the size of a city for one weekend – behave as you would do in any other city. Keep your valuables close, know where your friends/family are, stay healthy and hydrated. We have never felt unsafe at a festival.
4. Finding your way around – download the app – which has a helpful map – use the iconic stages (Pyramid, Other) and significant structures such as the Tower, to get your bearings. There is a disused railway line that runs the length of the south of the site and is great to hop on and off to various points. If in doubt, ask at one of the Information Points – they have maps and heaps of advice and guidance.

It’s a bit like your first day at ‘Big School’ – take a big breath and walk through the gates – within minutes you will be navigating like a pro and grinning from ear to ear.

Some final words of wisdom if you will…

• Plan well, but prepare to play it by ear – go with the flow…
• Pace yourself – we are all mere mortals.
• Prosper – do what you want to do – it’s your festival – explore and enjoy.
• Play hard – you might only do it once – so grab hold of it – you can sleep when you get home.
• Prepare to explore – see something, do something, watch something new. You can be anyone you want to be, so deliberately force yourself out of your comfort zone.