So, you’re probably here right now because you forgot all about Glastonbury tickets going on sale back in November and are now feeling extremely sorry for yourself. You might have also missed out on this year’s resale, which took place in April. Or maybe you’re among the hundreds of thousands who went to eye-watering lengths to get their mitts on a ticket, but missed out when they sold out in under an hour.
But fear not – if you’re still desperate to trudge through the mud and enter the gates at Worthy Farm, there are several other ways you could (legally) get into Glasto this year, without even having to stump up the hefty ticket price. Here are your options.
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Volunteer with a partner charity
Every year, more than 2,000 people volunteer at the festival. WaterAid and Oxfam are among the charities that partner with the festival every year. Each organisation needs volunteers. Typically, you’re expected to commit to working three to four eight-hour shifts over the five days. This could include anything from cleaning the loos to litter picking, checking tickets or being a steward. The rest of the time is yours to enjoy the festival.
And there are apparently a lot of other benefits (other than getting free entry to the biggest music festival in the UK). If you volunteer with Oxfam, for example, you get access to a communal marquee for volunteers, free boiling water, tea and coffee supplies, free phone-charging, access to crew loos and hot showers, plus a meal token per shift. Sounds pretty good, right?
Pick up some shifts
All festival goers need to be fed and watered to keep the vibes high, so why not join a hospitality team at this year’s festival? You can pull pints at one of the many on-site Avalon bars in exchange for a ticket. You’ll be required to work three eight-hour shifts between Wednesday and Sunday at the festival, and the rest of the time is yours to explore.
If you join the bar staff team, you can camp at the designated Avalon site. You’ll also receive two meal vouchers for every shift you work, as well as access to private shower facilities, tea and coffee stations and secure phone-charging spots. Plus, you don’t need any previous experience! Interested? Apply here.
Be a first-aider
Okay, so for this one, you need first-aid training (this really isn’t a ‘fake it till you make it’ role). If you have medical, paramedic or first-aid qualifications, you can apply to join Dr Chris Howes’s team of volunteers by applying here. Much of the medical care at the festival comes courtesy of student medics volunteering for free. So if you’re a student medic, sign up!
Try your luck
Trying to secure tickets to Glasto already feels like a prize draw in itself. But, if you fancy trying your luck one more time, why not enter a competition for tickets? At Time Out we’re running our own, in partnership with Brothers Cider. Want to win? All you need to do is fill out our entry form by May 11. Good luck!
Or you can go full Charlie and the Chocolate Factory style and win tickets by buying a chocolate bar. Tony’s Chocolonely have teamed up with Oxfam to sell limited edition chocolate bars, 5 of which have a pair of tickets hidden inside. Buy the bars online or in your local Oxfam shop to be in with a shot at winning.
Glastonbury Festival takes place from June 26 to 30 2024, and these alternative ways to enter the festival are pretty sought after. So, don’t miss out. Make sure you register your interest now.
You can find out more about working at Glastonbury here.
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