Festival season is in full swing, with plenty of events going on until the end of September. But if you’ve bought tickets or been to any festivals already this year, you’ll know they’re not cheap.
Glastonbury tickets for 2023, for example, were the most expensive yet at £335 plus £5 booking fee – up from £265 plus a £5 booking fee in 2019. And it was reported that festivalgoers were less than pleased about the “London pub” beer prices and £8 price tag on a portion of chips.
If you don’t have hundreds of pounds going spare, there are easy ways to cut down your festival spending on travel, camping gear, outfits and food and drink while you’re there.
❌ Don’t: Leave everything to the last minute ✅ Do: Plan ahead
Buying tickets early is one of the easiest ways to save money. Many festivals offer discounted prices for early bird purchases, allowing you to secure your spot at a reduced rate.
Keep an eye out for announcements on festival websites and social media channels to grab these tickets as soon as they’re available.
❌ Don’t: Dig into your emergency savings ✅ Do: Start a Festival Fund early
Follow Monzo user Leo’s* lead and create a Pot for each festival you’re saving for. Pick a realistic amount to transfer into it each month over a good time period, and you could build up a healthy Festival Fund to give you a bit more financial flexibility once you’re there.
To apply for a Monzo bank account and access Pots you must be a UK resident. Ts&Cs apply.
*We changed his name.
❌ Don’t: Pay through the nose to get there ✅ Do: Travel smart
Travelling to and from a festival can be difficult and costly, especially if it’s far away. Getting there by coach is often the cheapest option and while it might be a long slog, it might not take much longer than a car journey depending on the state of the roads. Check if there’s the option to add a coach journey on to your festival ticket.
If you’re booking train tickets, book them as far in advance as you can to miss any price hikes. Or if you choose to get there by car instead, share the journey with friends to cut your fuel costs and get excited for the festival ahead. Pass the aux!
❌ Don’t: Give up if you can’t afford tickets ✅ Do: Volunteer for a cheaper (or free) ticket
If you're looking to save money and open to a unique festival experience, consider volunteering. Many festivals offer volunteer programs where you can exchange your time and skills for free or heavily discounted tickets.
This allows you to enjoy the festival while contributing to its smooth operation. You might be asked to do things like setting up the site, handing out wristbands, selling programmes, bar work or picking up litter.
Check the festival's website for volunteer information and apply early as these positions tend to fill up fast.
❌ Don’t: Get burned by high ATM fees ✅ Do: Bring cash and use your card where possible
Festival cash machines often charge a couple of quid each time you use them. Most vendors tend to offer card and contactless payments these days, but many do still take cash only.
Save yourself from getting stung by ATM fees by bringing cash with you and keeping it safely with you in your bum bag or rucksack at all times.
❌ Don’t: Buy every novelty item or souvenir you see ✅ Do: Stick to a daily budget
Being removed from your normal life and routines might make you go into holiday spending mode – whereby any money you spend feels like “fake” money.
But you probably don’t need multiple pieces of festival merch or flammable costumes.
Outsmart yourself by deciding how much money you want to spend across the whole festival and dividing this across each day. Do this in Monzo by moving your daily spending amount out of your dedicated festival Pot and into your current account each day.
If you do want to buy a souvenir to help you remember the festival and it fits within your budget, go for it!
❌ Don’t: Get stung by overpriced food and drink ✅ Do: Bring your own food and booze
Festival food and drink can be pricey, so pack some of your own snacks and drinks to save money, rather than relying solely on festival vendors. Many festivals allow you to bring food and drink (including alcohol) onto the premises, but check festival restrictions first.
Consider bringing mostly dry and non-perishable food like granola bars, dried fruit and nuts, crackers and spreads that are easy to carry and require minimal preparation.
Alcohol wise, beer, canned cocktails and spirits decanted into plastic bottles (many festivals won’t let you in with glass), are a great shout.
❌ Don't: Blow your budget on one-time outfits and camping gear ✅ Do: Ask around and shop second-hand
There’s no need to buy a haul of brand new clothes for a festival because it’s very likely your clothes will get ruined. Second-hand sites and charity shops are awash with festival-friendly outfits – browse these first to save yourself money and reduce your environmental impact. You could even borrow from trusting fashionable friends.
Consider also borrowing camping equipment – a tent, sleeping bag and the like – from friends or family, or buy them second-hand from eBay or Facebook Marketplace.
Going to festivals doesn't have to drain your bank account. By putting these tips into practice, you can enjoy the exhilarating atmosphere, discover new artists and create unforgettable memories without breaking the bank
To apply for a Monzo bank account you must be a UK resident. Ts&Cs apply.