How to get a festival job

Whether you're a festival regular dreaming of turning your passion into a career, or someone looking for a fun and unique summer job, these tips will help you navigate the world of festival work

Festivals offer a one-of-a-kind opportunity to be at the heart of the action - but landing a job at one doesn't happen by chance. It takes planning, preparation, and a clear understanding of how the industry works. No matter your interests - music, art, or food - there are plenty of ways for enthusiastic individuals to get involved.

Some festivals you might consider include:

• BBC Good Food Show
• Camp Bestival
• Edinburgh Fringe
• Glastonbury
• Isle of Wight Festival
• Kendal Calling
• Reading and Leeds Festival
• Vegan Camp Out
• Wireless Festival.

What jobs are available at festivals?

Festivals are complex operations, and the types of roles available vary depending on the event, its size, and theme. Many festivals hire staff either temporarily or through recruitment agencies. Roles include:

• Artist liaison - act as the link between performers and organisers, ensuring artists have a smooth experience.
• Cleaning and waste management - keep the festival site clean and functional.
• Customer care - work at information booths, box offices, or anywhere attendees need help.
• Food and beverage - from bartenders to stall workers.
• Medical staff - paramedics and first-aiders to handle emergencies.
• Operations - keep the festival running smoothly with roles in site management, logistics, and coordination.
• Retail - sell festival merchandise and other goods.
• Security and stewarding - maintain safety and enforce rules.
• Technical and production - sound technicians, lighting engineers, and stage crews.

What's it like to work at a festival?

Working at a festival is both intense and exciting. Expect long hours - early mornings, late nights, and rotating shifts covering all aspects of festival life.

Living arrangements are usually communal, from on-site camping to shared accommodation with fellow staff. It's a great chance to bond, but you'll need patience and adaptability.

Festivals can provide great summer jobs, but they don't offer the stability of permanent positions unless you're in a technical role or employed by the event organiser.

Days can be physically demanding, with limited rest periods and exposure to all kinds of weather. Standing for long stretches and managing large crowds is part of the job, but the experience is often worth the effort because it helps you gain valuable skills, practical work experience, and have a great time along the way.

What skills do I need to work at a festival?

Working at a festival can be exciting, but it also demands a strong set of professional skills, such as:

• Customer service - you have to be friendly, patient, and helpful to ensure attendees have a great experience.
• Flexibility - things rarely go as planned. You'll need the ability to adapt to schedule changes, unexpected tasks, and last-minute surprises.
• Interpersonal skills - you'll need to communicate effectively, work well in teams, and maintain a positive attitude.
• Patience - large crowds and high-pressure situations require calm, composed staff.
• Problem solving - sometimes you'll have to think on your feet - whether it's a lost child or a broken toilet, solutions are needed fast.

¶Ù¾±²õ³¦´Ç±¹±ð°ùÌý5 skills you'll gain working in customer service.

What training do I need to work at a festival?

Employers often value experience over formal qualifications, though some roles require specific training:

• caterer - Food Hygiene and Safety (Level 3), Essential Food Hygiene
• first aid responder - First Responder on Scene, St John Ambulance
• medical volunteer - CPR Certificate, St John Ambulance
• safety steward - Understanding Stewarding at Spectator Events, Highfield
• security - Certificate in Spectator Safety (Level 2), Crowd Safety Training.

Many festivals also provide orientation or on-the-job training to get you up to speed. A degree in event management can help, but relevant hands-on experience is equally valuable.

How old do you need to be to work at a festival?

The minimum age to work at UK festivals varies depending on the role and the organiser's policies. Certain roles, such as bar staff, have stricter age limits due to licensing laws. At Leeds Festival, for example, all bar staff must be at least 18 years old.

However, some festivals offer opportunities for younger individuals. Oxfam, who offer opportunities at Boomtown, Download Festival and Latitude, often recruits volunteers aged 16 and above, though this can vary depending on the event and location. It's always important to check the specific age requirements for each festival or organisation before applying.

How much will I earn at a festival?

You can expect to be paid around £13.55 per hour for general festival roles. More technical roles are often salaried, for example a sound engineer could start on £25,000 a year increasing to £50,000 with experience.

Before you accept a role, make sure you know what you'll be paid and what benefits are included.

How do I find a festival job?

Many festivals offer job opportunities directly - check their official websites and social media channels for openings.

Several agencies also specialise in staffing at major events such as Camp Bestival, Creamfields, and All Points East:

• Event People - provide trained and motivated staff for events, including festivals, across the UK.
• Festivall Staff - offers work in roles such as stewarding, ticket scanning, and accreditation at festivals and festive events.
• Hap Solutions Group - flexible opportunities at festivals and music events across the UK.
• Hotbox Events - paid and volunteer positions at various UK festivals, including stewarding and event assistance.

Volunteering is another great way to gain experience and enjoy festivals. This route may provide access to training sessions or workshops offered by festival organisers, further enhancing your skills and knowledge in the field:

• Festaff - allows you to volunteer at major music festivals like Glastonbury and Isle of Wight, with roles including wristbanding, stewarding, and front-of-house assistance.
• My Cause UK - connects volunteers with festivals, promoting community engagement and offering opportunities to make a positive impact.
• Oxfam Festivals - offers volunteer positions that include crew camping, meal vouchers, and training, providing a rewarding way to experience festivals.

When should I apply for summer festival jobs?

Most festivals begin advertising positions months in advance, typically from late winter through early spring. For example, Hotbox Events usually opens volunteer applications in early February, with paid steward roles following shortly after.

By late January, many organisers ramp up recruitment for both on-site positions and behind-the-scenes roles that keep the festival running smoothly. Applying early gives you a better chance of securing a role that matches your skills and interests.

Popular roles, like bar staff, security, or production crew fill quickly, and many festivals operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Applying too late can mean missing out entirely, so treat it like a seasonal job hunt and get your application in as soon as the positions open.

How do I make my application a success?

If you're applying for a job at a festival, make sure that you tailor your application to highlight relevant skills such as:

• customer service
• flexibility
• problem solving
• teamwork.

It's vital to include any festival, event, or volunteer experience, even small roles like working at a student society event or charity fundraiser. Focus on your achievements and responsibilities rather than just listing tasks - for example, you could say 'I managed a team of five volunteers during a campus festival, ensuring smooth operations and timely setup.'

It's also a good idea to show your enthusiasm for the festival's mission, which could be:

• celebrating cultural diversity
• fostering community engagement
• promoting local artists.

Don't wait for jobs to come up. Instead, directly contact festival organisers to speculatively apply, inquire about openings or express your interest in working with them.

Do festival volunteers get free tickets?

Many festivals offer wristbands for volunteer entry, along with perks like:

• access to volunteer lounges or refreshment areas
• crew camping with showers and phone charging points
• free meals or meal vouchers.

For example, Reading Festival provides secure camping, food vouchers, and staff facilities, while Hotbox Events offers a volunteer marquee with free tea, coffee, and biscuits.

Some organisations, like My Cause UK, may require a refundable deposit to secure a volunteer spot, which is returned upon completion of shifts.

Find out more

• Learn more about side hustles for students.
• Discover how to get started in the music industry.