Last Updated on 28 January 2025 by Colette
Volunteering at a festival is a great way to get to go to your favourite festivals without the financial burden of expensive tickets but it’s not an easy ride – first and foremost you are there to work so, if you’ve managed to score yourself a volunteer role for this festival season, I’ve pulled together some fantastic tips from experienced festival volunteers to make sure you that you have a successful and enjoyable experience!
These tips are direct quotes from people who are experienced festival volunteers so you might notice some overlap in the advice – which suggests to me that it’s especially useful and worth taking heed!
Tips for volunteering at a festival:
- Know what’s expected of you in terms of hours to be worked and make sure you’re happy with that. You might not know shift times in advance but you should always be told the total hours eg 3×8 hour shifts or 20 hours across a weekend. Sarah T-J
- Don’t set your heart on seeing a particular band, your shifts might make that impossible. Accept that there will be lots of other great stuff to see. Sarah T-J
- Make sure you know the camping arrangements before you pack and set out. Some organisations charge only allow tent camping in their volunteer or crew areas; if you’re in a van you may need to book a pitch or even pay for your pitch in public campervans. Sarah T-J
- If you want to camp with friends who aren’t volunteering, is that allowed? Often you’re not allowed to pitch on those fields before the gates open, so be prepared to pitch in crew area for your first few nights. Sarah T-J
- Are any meals provided? Will there be somewhere to buy meals if you’re on site before it opens to the public? Does your organisation provide a space with kettle/ toaster / microwave? All of those will change what you pack. Sarah T-J
- Remember that you’ve signed up to work so should be in a fit state to do that work. Sarah T-J
- Do not forget to take an umbrella . . . sometimes as a volunteer you are out in some pretty exposed places where the sun or rain can make your day pretty miserable without one. Terence
- Sleep, eat, drink water, sit outside in the sunshine and pack an extra pair of socks. Alli
- Make you had a good bed with warm bedding to aid the sleep you get it to be the best it can be. Sarah C
- Clear bin bags can be used for: keeping your kit dry on shift, as an emergency poncho, as a seat when it has been wet / so dry and dusty, to keep clean clothes separate from dirty clothes and also for collecting rubbish or separately recycling! Adrian
- Rest when you get a chance and ensure you have a good chair. Neil
- HYDRATE…. more than you normally do and try to eat at least 2 substantial meals per day. Adam
- PACE yourself especially at the start of the festival and try to get a decent amount of sleep over the 4/5 days. Adam
- For volunteering at multiple festivals, look for work with one agency (eg Oxfam) who will allow you to do multiple festivals for one refundable deposit where you just pay the highest deposit amount. Adam
- Thermos camping mug / flask is highly recommended especially on cold/ night shifts. Adam
- Be prepared for ALL weather it can be cold one minute to boiling hot. Adam
- Invest in the best you can afford for tent, ‘3 season’ sleeping bag, walking boots etc. Adam
These tips are shared thanks to members of a Facebook group I admin about volunteer roles and jobs at festivals – please feel free to come and join the group too if you think that would be helpful!
If you’ve got any tips for volunteering at festivals that you think I’ve missed, let me know in the comments and I’ll add them in!
Have a read of these posts next:
Our guide to festivals (you’ll find festival listings, reviews and tips here!)
What food to take to a festival
If you have enjoyed this post and found it helpful, here are a few ways you can say thanks and support We’re going on an adventure:
Click here to buy me a virtual coffee – it’s like a little tip jar but with caffeine!
I’d love for you to tag me in any photos of your adventures on Social Media if one of my posts has inspired you to visit
Click here to leave We’re going on an adventure a Google Review
Share this post with your friends – you’ll be helping me and them!
Follow We’re going on an adventure on Facebook or Instagram
