Your Essential Guide to the 2022 Festival Season

After two years of lockdown, festivals are finally back on the menu this summer!

We couldn’t be more excited, which is why we put together this essential guide to the 2022 Festival Season.

As well as exploring what to wear for a festival, we’ll also take a look at what to expect from all the major festivals this year, and tell you how to prepare for whatever this year’s festivals have to offer.

Best UK Festivals 2022

Many big name festivals are returning this year, but we’re also seeing a lot of exciting new festivals pop up.

Here’s a guide to some of the best:

Glastonbury – 22-26 June, Somerset

The undisputed king of festivals, with 200,000 people having the time of their lives in a site that’s across 900 acres of hills, fields, dells and glades.

After far too many years away, the 2022 event is going to be ecstatic. Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar and Paul McCartney are headlining, but they’re just the big three in a line-up of hundreds and hundreds of acts from every conceivable genre.

You need to register for a ticket in advance. So unfortunately, if you haven’t got a ticket yet, it’s very unlikely you’ll be able to go. You’ll still be able to watch most of it on TV though.

Isle of Wight – 16-19 June

Another festival with history – the first Isle of Wight Festival took place in 1968, and the legendary 1970 festival broke all kinds of records when approximately 700,000 people watched the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, The Doors and The Who.

The 2022 festival provides the only opportunity you’ll have this year to watch festival favourites Muse. But there are plenty of other crowd-pleasers across the weekend, including Lewis Capaldi, Madness, Nile Rogers, and The Proclaimers.

Reading and Leeds – 27-29 August

Taking place at two different sites across the country, with acts playing each site on alternate days, the Reading and Leeds Festivals provide the biggest party in the country every August Bank Holiday Weekend.

Here you can see some of the biggest acts in the world, many of whom aren’t playing anywhere else, including Rage Against The Machine, Dave, Arctic Monkeys, Megan Thee Stallion and Halsey.

The festivals tend to attract a younger crowd than many other festivals. It’s a favourite for students who’ve just finished their exams, so expect an electric atmosphere.

Latitude Festival – 21-24 July, Suffolk

Latitude is the finest festival in Suffolk, promising a chilled, family-friendly atmosphere. But that’s not to say that it won’t be a total party. There’s something for everyone on the line-up, including Foals, Snow Patrol, Little Simz and Kae Tempest, along with many festival veterans including The Manic Street Preachers, Groove Armada, and Shed Seven.

But like Glastonbury, Latitude’s about more than just the music. There’s also a diverse and extensive comedy, theatre, and performing arts line-ups. We’ve heard the food’s amazing too!

When’s The Best Time to Buy Festival Tickets?

Really, as soon as they come out!

Unfortunately, unless you have a ticket already, you’ve probably already missed the boat with Glastonbury. The demand for Glastonbury tickets is always phenomenal, which is why they make you register in advance for tickets.

But it seems there are still tickets available for every other major festival, along with most of the smaller festivals. And if you can’t afford to pay in full upfront, some festivals allow you to spread the cost of tickets over a few months.

So if you see a festival that ticks your boxes, get your tickets as soon as you can!

What To Wear to a Festival

Some people glam up for festivals. And why not? If you can’t dress to impress at a festival, when can you?

But it’s important to remember that festivals can be endurance tests. More often than not, it makes sense to focus on practicality over style.

Some festivals only last for a day, and some take place in inner-city areas. You can often get away with wearing basically whatever you want at these festivals, as it’s likely you’ll be staying in a hotel. So no matter what happens with the weather, a hot shower and a comfy bed with clean sheets will never be too far away.

But if you’re going to a festival that takes place in a rural setting over a weekend, it’s best to be practical. You can still look your best, but make sure you’re prepared for anything.

Want some tips on music festival outfits, how you can still look amazing even when you’re stood in a drizzly, muddy field? Be sure to read our guide to festival make up ideas.

Music Festival Outfits

Shoes

Wear the wrong shoes to a festival and you could ruin your whole weekend. This is the one area where you need to think practically.

The shoes you wear need to be comfortable, supportive, and waterproof. Wellies are good, as they’ll keep your feet dry and they’re very easy to put on and take off even when it’s muddy. But wellies aren’t really comfortable to wear for long periods. And at a festival, you’ll be wearing them all day.

Sturdy watertight walking boots are the best shoes for a festival. Yes, they can get caked in mud. But they’re much more comfortable than wellies, and a good pair can be every bit as waterproof.

In short, at a festival you’ll be standing and walking all day. So you really need some shoes that were specifically designed to keep you comfy while walking long distances.

Waterproofs

Don’t trust the weather forecast! Even if they’re promising a sunny weekend, you know what the British weather’s like. You should always pack for wet weather, just in case.

Get a waterproof poncho. You can fold it away to take it with you anywhere. Then, if it ever looks like rain, you can just throw it over whatever you’re wearing, and in seconds you can be fully waterproof without having to change.

Also, consider that shorts tend to dry much quicker than trousers, and they’re much more practical than a dress or a skirt.

Layers

When planning your festival outfit, think in terms of layers. Plan an outfit that lets you add some layers should you get cold, but remove some layers should you get too warm.

And think about the night time. Even on the hottest day of the year the temperature can drop significantly once the sun sets. So make sure you can throw a few layers on to keep you warm once it gets dark.

At night, it’s easy to mistake feeling cold for feeling tired. So if you can keep warm, you’ll probably find you’re able to stay up much later and enjoy yourself for much longer!

What To Take To A Festival

Clothes, your ticket, your tent, and toiletries. And don’t forget your toothbrush and your towel!

We have some full guides to packing for festivals:

Ready For The Best Summer of Your Life?

The 2022 festival season will be the biggest in years – and not just because it’s the first in years!

We’ve all been waiting for this for a long time. Now that we can finally let our hair down, it’s sure to be an unforgettable summer.

Make sure you read our guide to making the most of a summer road trip with your friends.

And remember, if your driving to a festival make sure you have your comprehensive car insurance. So if you’d like to know more about how we can help you enjoy the best summer of your life, get in touch to get a free quote on cheaper car insurance for students.