How to get a festival job

Festivals offer a unique chance to be at the heart of the action - but landing a job isn't just luck. It takes planning, preparation, and a clear understanding of the industry. Whether your interests lie in 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 roles vary depending on the:

• event
• size
• theme.

Many hire staff temporarily or through recruitment agencies. Common roles include:

• Artist liaison - coordinate between performers and organisers to ensure a smooth experience.
• Cleaning and waste management - keep the festival site clean and functional.
• Customer care - work at information booths, box offices, or wherever attendees need support.
• Food and beverage - bartenders, stall workers, or catering assistants.
• Medical staff - paramedics and first-aiders to handle emergencies.
• Operations - manage the festival site and coordinate logistics.
• 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.

Many entry-level roles welcome first-time festival workers. Reliability, availability, and a positive attitude often matter more than prior experience.

Larger organisers frequently use festivals as a talent pipeline, offering repeat contracts, training, and career progression. Staff can move into higher-responsibility roles such as:

• production assistant
• site coordinator
• team leader.

What's it like to work at a festival?

Working at a festival is fast-paced and exciting. Expect long hours, early mornings, late nights, and varying length shifts. Living arrangements can be communal, and on-site camping or shared accommodation is common. It's a great way to bond, but you'll need patience and adaptability.

Festival days can be physically demanding, with limited rest and exposure to all kinds of weather. Standing for long periods and managing crowds is part of the job, but the experience can be hugely rewarding.

Many festival organisers try to ease the intensity for staff through:

• job rotation
• short shifts
• split roles.

While festivals provide great summer work, they usually don't offer the stability of permanent positions, except for technical roles or full-time employment with the organiser. However, they'll help you to build:

• practical skills
• valuable connections
• work experience.

Festival organisers also have a legal duty to keep staff safe, and most provide briefings on emergency procedures, safeguarding, and site safety. Many also support wellbeing with:

• access to drinking water and shaded rest areas
• clear escalation routes for concerns
• regular breaks during long shifts
• welfare tents and on-site medical support.

If you ever feel unwell, overwhelmed, or unsafe, you should speak to your supervisor or welfare team immediately.

What skills do I need to work at a festival?

Festival work demands more than enthusiasm. Key skills include:

• Customer service - staying friendly, patient, and helpful.
• Flexibility - adapting to schedule changes or unexpected tasks.
• Interpersonal skills - effective communication and teamwork.
• Patience - managing crowds and high-pressure situations calmly.
• Problem solving - quickly finding solutions, from lost children to broken equipment.

These are the same transferable skills employers look for in hospitality, retail careers.

What training do I need to work at a festival?

You don't always need training - many entry-level roles are open to first-timers, incliding:

• cleaning
• stewarding
• wristbanding.

Employers usually prioritise reliability, attitude, and availability, but some specialist roles do require formal 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 provide on-the-job inductions and training to get you up to speed. A degree in event management helps, but hands-on experience is just as valuable.

Festival work is especially popular with students because of summer schedules and short-term contracts, while offering a route into long-term careers in the music industry or event management courses.

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

Minimum age varies by role. Certain positions, such as bar staff, have stricter limits due to licensing laws - for example, at Leeds Festival, you'll need to be over 18 to work as bar staff.

Some festivals also offer opportunities for younger workers. For example, Oxfam recruits volunteers for events like Boomtown, Download Festival, and Latitude, often welcoming those aged 16 and over, though exact age requirements can vary by festival.

Be sure to check age requirements before you apply.

How much will I earn at a festival?

For general festival roles, you can expect to earn around £13.55 per hour. Many festivals now advertise pay above the National Living Wage of £12.21 per hour to attract experienced staff, especially in:

• hospitality
• logistics
• stewarding.

Technical full-time roles are often salaried. For example, a sound engineer could start on £25,000 per year, rising to £50,000 with experience.

Before accepting a role, it's important to check exactly what you'll be paid and what benefits are included.

Many festivals offer on-site staff camping, with amenities like showers, phone charging points, and staff-only facilities. However, accommodation isn't guaranteed for every role, and you may need to:

• bring your own tent and equipment
• cover your own travel costs
• pay a refundable deposit for volunteer positions.

For instance, MyCause UK requires a refundable deposit to secure a volunteer spot, which is returned once your shifts are completed. Always confirm what's included so you know any upfront costs.

Festival workers must also prove the right to work in the UK. Freelance or technical roles may be self-employed, so double-check:

• how you'll be paid
• if tax will be deducted automatically
• whether you'll receive a written contract or offer email.

Festival work can be a great short-term side hustle alongside other flexible jobs, helping you earn money while gaining valuable experience.

Do festival volunteers get free tickets?

Many festivals reward volunteers with wristbands for entry, along with extra perks such as:

• 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, meal vouchers, and staff facilities, while Hotbox Events offers a volunteer marquee with free tea, coffee, and biscuits.

How much of the festival you can enjoy depends on your shift schedule. Many roles allow time off between shifts to explore the event, though peak periods are usually the busiest working times.

Some organisations may also require a refundable deposit to secure a volunteer spot, which is returned once your shifts are completed.

How do I find a festival job?

Many festivals advertise roles directly, so a good first step is to check their official websites and social media channels for openings.

You can also find work through specialist staffing agencies, which place staff at major events like Camp Bestival, Creamfields, and All Points East:

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

Volunteering is another excellent way to gain experience, enjoy festivals, and build your skills. Many festivals provide training sessions or workshops for volunteers, which can be valuable for future work in events:

• Festaff - volunteer at major music festivals like Glastonbury and the Isle of Wight, taking on roles such as wristbanding, stewarding, and front-of-house support.
• My Cause UK - connects volunteers with festivals, supporting community engagement and offering opportunities to make a positive impact.
• Oxfam Festivals - offers volunteer roles with crew camping, meal vouchers, and training, providing a rewarding festival experience.

When should I apply for summer festival jobs?

Demand for festival staff peaks between May and September. Roles fill quickly, so it's a good idea to start checking festival websites and staffing agencies from January to secure the best opportunities.

Waiting too long could mean missing out entirely, so treat festival applications like a seasonal job hunt and submit your application as soon as roles open.

Most festivals advertise positions months in advance, typically from late winter through early spring. For example, Hotbox Events usually open volunteer applications in early February, with paid steward roles following soon 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 landing a role that matches your skills and interests.

Popular positions - such as bar staff, security, or production crew - fill especially fast, and many festivals operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

How do I make my application a success?

To boost your chances of landing a festival role, start by getting organised:

• confirm your availability dates
• gather references if requested
• have proof of your right to work in the UK
• prepare a short CV.

Being prepared can speed up the application process and improve your chances of getting hired.

Next, tailor your application to emphasise key skills festivals value, such as:

• customer service
• flexibility
• problem solving
• teamwork.

Include any relevant festival, event, or volunteer experience - even small roles like helping at a student society event or charity fundraiser can boost your application. Focus on your achievements and responsibilities, rather than just listing tasks. For example:

It also helps to show your enthusiasm for the festival's mission, which could include:

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

Don't wait for job postings - reach out directly to festival organisers to speculatively apply, ask about upcoming openings, or express your interest in working with them.

Festival roles are a fantastic way to build skills and get a job with no experience.

Find out more

• Discover what else the events industry has to offer.
• Explore work in the leisure and tourism sector.