How to survive festival season on a budget

Enjoy all the festivals you want to go to this season with these tips that will tell you how to save money and still have a blast.

Summer is here, and festival season 2023 is in full swing. And while Glastonbury might have sold out within six minutes this year, there are still plenty of chances to enjoy a fantastic summer.

From dance festivals to jazz in the park and huge pop parties, summer turns the UK into a haven for the music-lover. But with the average ticket price circling at over £200, added to rocketing transport prices and all your other expenses, things can get expensive fast. 

That’s why we’ve collected all our best festival tips to help you enjoy the weekends you deserve without worrying about the budget. 

From avoiding pricey festival food to opting for festival gear that stays in fashion year after year, here’s how to spend a good time this summer.

Head to cheaper festivals

Whether looking for some last-minute fun this summer or thinking ahead for next, there are plenty of festivals in the UK that come with a lower ticket price. And these cheaper, community-driven festivals are just as enjoyable, too, as they tend to attract less of a moneyed crowd and promote more of a ‘come as you are’ attitude. 

Head to Hatfield House in mid-July for enchanted folksy music vibes, with chocolate-making classes just the icing on the cake. Tickets for Folk by the Oak start at £45 for the weekend.

August’s Eroica Britannia offers three days of cycling glory, dancing, and beer at the Goodwood Estate for just £30. Another atmospheric event awaits in the ruins of Reading Abbey, with a weekend of live music held under the crumbling arches every September. 

Are you looking to save by planning ahead? Next June, techno and house music lovers can head to Derby’s The Forbidden Forest festival, with tickets starting at just £15. Not your groove? Discover rising stars at the Dot to Dot festival, bringing May madness to Manchester, Bristol, and Nottingham for only £12. 

Don’t miss out on a ticket for the Sea Change festival next May, with three days of food, films, and fantastic music in coastal Totnes starting at just £59.99. Just more proof that if you’re looking for the best cheap festivals (UK), you should think community-driven.

Opt for cheap, re-wearable festival clothes 

Whether opting for full waterproofs, dressing for the catwalk, or bringing your best boho vibes, your festival wardrobe can be the highlight of your summer. 

The best festival clothes are the ones that can be worn over and over again, so it’s smart to think ahead. If you’re wondering where to buy cheap festival clothes, we’re sharing two of our favourite picks for fun, wallet-friendly buys. 

PrettyLittleThing offers outfits inspired by the latest fashion trends, such as this gorgeous crocheted wave knit top It’s as perfect for warm afternoons as it is for late nights on the dance floor. And this lime bandeau dress will really make a statement. Perfectly paired with summer sandals or wellies if the weather doesn’t hold. 

We all love ASOS for its huge discounts on designer labels and fantastic variety. Whether shopping neon for a silent disco extravaganza or the perfect tea dress for a fragrant summer garden party, there’s no occasion this brand can’t match. So make sure you browse its collection of festival outfits for great styles and prices.

Understand the fragility of British sunshine and looking for where to buy cheap wellies for this festival season 2023? Both Asos and Pretty Little Thing offer excellent footwear for festivals, from unicorn glow to traditional Hunter beauties. Because, after all, it wouldn’t be a British summer without some unexpected rain!

Avoid overpriced drinks

Drinks at festivals are often offered at exorbitant prices, so it's best to avoid the bar where possible. Of course, it’s not always possible to bring your own alcohol in either, and at the very least, you’ll find the amount limited to what they consider suitable for personal consumption.

And remember, most festivals have a blanket ban on bringing in glass, so you’ll want to opt for cans whenever possible. Luckily, you can find almost any drink stocked in a can these days, from prosecco and daiquiris to espresso martinis and margaritas. 

Bringing canned drinks from the nearest local shop or supermarket is an easy way to save money and a practical way to have as many crates as you like while camping at the festival.

One top piece of advice is to make sure your camping area is fully stocked up on all the essentials, from snacks and sun cream to alcohol and hangover cures. Invest in a decent cooler, and you’ll enjoy refreshing cans all weekend. 

But remember, with the possibility of strong sunlight along with the amount of dancing you’ll be doing (not to mention trekking between stages), it’s important to stay hydrated too. As your mum always said, a good rule of thumb is to drink one glass of water between every alcoholic drink!

Stop paying for expensive festival food!

Second to the drinks, food tends to be the most overpriced thing at festivals. And while it can be nice to indulge in a steaming box of curry and rice after a day standing in the rain, it’s usually best to keep that to once per weekend if you need to watch your budget. 

Remember that cooler we talked about? Well, it might be wise to pack another, with self-catering undoubtedly the way to go this festival season. And if we’re going all out, why not bring a portable camping stove so that you can start the day in style? 

And in this case, it might be better to plan ahead, with festival-adjacent supermarkets often being as crowded at the smaller stages. We love the budget-friendly deals available at Tesco, whether you’re looking for sharing snacks or just an indulgent meal deal to get you through the day. 

Marks and Spencer offers another excellent choice, with their deluxe snacks, fresh bread, and gourmet crisps guaranteeing to make you the favourite tent in your field. 

Cheap festivals are possible!

It’s never too late to enjoy a fantastic summer, nor too early to plan for next year, and you’ll be surprised at how cheap a festival weekend can be. From festival tickets for under £50 to the perfect festival wardrobe, the summer deals are simply spectacular. 

And with our top money-saving tips while you’re away at your favourite festivals this summer 2023, it’s time to get ready for a summer of celebrations and sunshine.

More events coming up this summer? 

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