A Glastonbury 2024 Guide: Tips for Packing and Planning from an Experienced Festival-Goer

June has arrived, and with it, festival season! As always, tickets for Glastonbury sold out months in advance.

For those fortunate enough to be attending Worthy Farm from June 26 to 30, prepare to enjoy performances by Dua Lipa, SZA, and Coldplay on the Pyramid stage, alongside Shania Twain making her Glasto debut on Sunday. Other notable acts include Keane, the Streets, PJ Harvey, Olivia Dean, and Janelle Monae, with numerous performances happening across various stages throughout the weekend. The late BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Nightingale will be honored with daytime and evening sets, showcasing songs from the artists she cherished during her time at the festival.

Now that you know what music to expect and which artists to catch, your next focus should be on maximizing your experience. With thoughtful packing, a positive mindset, and a flexible wardrobe (don’t forget the possibility of rain!), here’s how to thrive at one of the world’s most legendary music festivals.

Pack like a pro: backpack, holdall, tent, and snacks

To streamline your packing, remember that everything you bring must also be taken home. Your excitement may help you lug your heavy gear through Glastonbury's gates on Wednesday, but come Monday morning, you'll appreciate a lighter load. Aim for just one backpack and one holdall filled with snacks, leaving one hand free to help carry the tent with your camping crew.

Need more tips for perfecting your packing? Check out our guide on how to pack for any festival

The trip there will be quite the adventure

Regardless of your starting point, you’re in for a lengthy trek and should anticipate heavy traffic. If you’re taking the coach service, take advantage of this time to catch some sleep. There will be plenty of opportunities for drinking later, so hold off until you’ve secured the ideal camping spot (more on that soon). If you’re driving, be exceptionally kind to your designated driver. Treat them well, shower them with compliments, and let them choose the playlist.

Didn’t get Glasto tickets? Check out these other UK festivals happening this summer

The ideal camping location is uphill

It’s natural to feel pressured about finding the trendiest campsite, but remember that spots fill up on a first-come, first-served basis. If you don’t secure your top choice, be strategic about where you set up. Our top recommendation is to choose a spot on higher ground to dodge potential flooding. Everything else is about finding a balance.

Camping near a path means you’ll catch snippets of funny conversations all weekend, which might keep you awake but will make for great stories later. Opting for a site close to the portaloos means dealing with unpleasant smells, but you’ll be ahead of the queue during busy times. Camping near the entrance involves a longer trek to the main arena, but your departure on Monday will be easier. Before you stake down your tent, remember that Pennard Hill Ground is known for its liveliness, while Lime Kiln and Hitchen Hill tend to be more peaceful.

Function vs. style: prepare for rain, mud, and sunshine

Glastonbury comes in two varieties: the soggy and the sunny. If rain is on the horizon, don’t skimp on a quality raincoat or underestimate the importance of sturdy wellington boots. The beauty of wet-weather gear is that you can flaunt your dazzling sequins underneath a waterproof layer and then reveal your sparkle once you find refuge in a dance tent. If you're pairing wellies with shorts, make sure to wear knee-high socks or roll your boots down to avoid calf burn. Should the sun decide to show up, don’t forget sunscreen and keep some layers handy around your waist, as sunburn at night is no fun for festival-goers.

Assemble your own first aid kit: here’s what you’ll need

Over the five days, you’ll face sleepless nights, erratic meal schedules, dance marathons, brutal hangovers, dehydration, and the ever-present threat of hay fever. While prevention is key, being prepared is essential. Pack a ziplock bag with pain relievers, anti-nausea pills, mild laxatives, electrolyte packets, antihistamines, band-aids, heartburn relief, and crucial anti-diarrhea medicine. You and your digestive system will be communicating like never before at this festival.

Always keep the essentials on hand (leave your phone behind)

Make sure to carry a reusable water bottle, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and sunscreen at all times. A portable charger is useful, but remember: your phone isn’t crucial—experience the festival! Cell service can be spotty, so wear a watch and choose specific landmarks or stalls as meeting points throughout the weekend. If your schedules don’t match with your friends, simply say, 'catch you at midnight by the katsu curry stand' instead of searching for a signal. Alternatively, consider bringing a tall, distinctive flag so your friends can easily find you near the Pyramid Stage.

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Combat FOMO and take your time...

Spanning over 1100 acres with nearly 100 music venues, it’s easy to feel pressured to experience everything Glasto veterans recommend. But here’s a pro tip: you can’t do it all, and you shouldn’t try. Given the vastness of the site and the crowd of over 210,000, splitting your attention between sets may diminish your enjoyment. So, remain flexible with your schedule and embrace the fact that you can’t be in two places at once. Fun is plentiful around the clock at Glastonbury, so if you need a nap during the day, let go of FOMO and know that more excitement awaits you.

...but don’t let the day slip away at the campsite

Catch the sunrise at Stone Circle. Reflect on your relationship with technology while admiring Arcadia’s new Dragonfly installation. Get your groove on when Dua Lipa performs 'Dance the Night' from the Barbie (2023) soundtrack. Experience Shania’s performance during the Sunday legend's slot on the Pyramid Stage. Discover the tunnel beneath the railway connecting Greenpeace Field and Green Futures. Enter Shangri-La early and lose yourself for the night. Dance until dawn at the NYC Downlow. Seek out the new wellness space, Room, in the Silver Hayes area. Most importantly, toss the rulebook aside and revel in your incredible luck.