My glitter-covered girlies will be ramping up for festival season – but whether you plan to attend your first or 50th music festival this summer, it's important to stay safe. I've created this guide with 12 practical and actionable tips for helping you to stay safe, alert and having the best time ever watching your favourite artists on the main stage. Think of me like the festival fairy godmother who can help you feel prepared and confident when you enter the festival fields to handle anything that comes your way.

Heading to a music festival solo—or with pals—should be about dancing under the sun, not worrying about your well-being. Whether it’s Reading, Camp Bestival, or Shambala Festival, knowing how to stay safe lets you fully immerse yourself in the magic. If you're looking for festival safety tips for solo female travellers, or want to know what to pack to stay safe at music festivals – I'll answer all your questions. Let’s make your next festival both unforgettable and safe.

First up, make sure you read I Went to a Music Festival Solo (and I LOVED it!) because it is possible to go to a music festival safely when travelling solo in another country as a woman. I don't believe in telling women to stay home, but I do believe in giving women the tools and the confidence to look after themselves.

12 Tips for Staying Safe At Music Festival

1. Plan Ahead & Do Your Research To Build Your Festival Confidence

Feeling nervous about attending your first festival? Perhaps you're going with a new group of friends or you're trying a music festival solo and want to feel organised and prepared for anything. Before you even enter the music festival, it's worth doing your research when you get your festival tickets so that when you arrive you get straight into having a good time:

  • Share your full plan—where you're staying, your travel dates, and a rough daily schedule—with a trusted friend or family member—and check in regularly.
  • Check the festival map and save it to your phone so you can easily navigate and feel confident finding your way
  • Knowing where medical and security facilities are can be a game-changer in an emergency
  • Plan your route to and from the festival grounds – are you driving and need to know the postcode for the entrance? If you're going by train or bus, make sure you have your tickets

2. Pack to Enhance Your Personal Festival Safety 

These are my festival essentials that I never travel without – they help me to feel confident and safe when attending a music festival (solo or with friends):

It's also worth thinking about whether you need to pack:

  • Mini first-aid kit and any necessary medications or painkillers for hangovers
  • Personal alarm or whistle (only if you feel more comfortable) >> shop this alarm

Leave any valuables at home – keep any essential valuables such as wallets and phones close, ideally in front-facing or zipped pockets to deter pickpockets. It's also worth thinking about ways of making your campsite stand out so it is easy for you to find in the dark or late at night – you can use flags or easily identifiable items to make your campsite stand out.

3. Stay Hydrated & Balanced

Festival days can be long and dehydrating – if you're drinking it's important to stay hydrated and in control. My one rule is that no matter how drunk I get, I must always be able to get myself and everyone else back safely, that way if anything happens, I'm ready to look after whoever needs it. Bring a refillable water bottle and consider electrolyte sachets to keep fluids and energy levels balanced. Avoid leaving yourself vulnerable by overindulging in alcohol—staying alert is key. Read Best Food to Take to a Music Festival for tips on the best snacks and meals to pack!

Beyond just alcohol – remember to consider what weather you will have over the weekend. If it's particularly hot and sunny, you need to do everything you can to stay cool, hydrated and protected from the sun and to recognise that your body may be able to handle alcohol differently in extreme heat. If its a particularly wet or cold weekend, it's important to pack changes of clothes to stay dry, comfortable and stay warm at night.

4. Know Festival Support Systems – "Ask for Angela" and Beyond

Some UK festivals and venues now support “Ask for Angela” – the UK scheme that helps anyone who is feeling vulnerable on a night out to get the support they need. If you ever feel unsafe or are dealing with unwanted advances, approach a staff member and say you’re “looking for Angela”. It’s a discreet signal for help—they’ll escort you to safety, arrange a taxi, or call assistance. I also have these guides which provide advice for what to do if you experience sexual assault: Dealing with sexual harassment as a solo female traveller and What to do if You Experience Sexual Assault Abroad

Other support systems may include:

  • Zero-Tolerance to Assault & Harassment
  • The Safer Spaces campaign to tackle sexual violence, harassment and assault at festivals

Some great organisations that are working hard to make nightlife, festivals and live music events safer for women include Good Night Out, Safe Gigs For Women, Stamp Out Spiking, Girls Against. 

5. Never Leave Drinks Unattended

Whether solo or with friends, never leave your drink unattended or accept one from someone you don’t trust. If something seems off—taste, smell, or timing—discard it and get another from a trusted source. Rapid intervention can make all the difference. Stay alert in crowds and if you see someone spiking another women's drink, find way to let her know subtly. If you're concerned about drink spiking or there have been local reports of issues and you would prefer to be cautious, you can also try these methods for protecting your drinks from being spiked:

6. What to Do If You Think Your Drink Is Spiked

If you're worried your drink may have been spiked, or someone you are with may have been affected by spiking, here are some tips to follow. Signs to watch for: sudden nausea, confusion, blurred vision, or disorientation. If you suspect spiking:

  • Go somewhere safe immediately.
  • Ask festival staff—security or medic team—for help.
  • Contact a friend or family member to meet you. Focused venues may even offer “standing with Angela” support to take you to safety.

7. Tips for Staying Safe as a Woman at at Festival

  • Travel in pairs or small groups when possible.
  • Arrange a meeting point in case any of you lose your phone/battery dies and can't be contacted.
  • Introduce yourself to neighbours at your campsite—offer to watch tents for each other.
  • Trust your instincts—tune into that gut feeling. If someone’s behaviour feels off, step away and seek help.
  • Know where the welfare, first aid, and police points are located.

8. Crowd Safety & Emergency Preparedness

Crowds at festivals are fun—but they come with risks. Make sure to:

  • Wear sturdy, comfortable footwear—not flip-flops or heels—to stay mobile and avoid injuries.
  • Know where the exits are located and how to navigate back to your tent
  • If a crowd surge happens, move diagonally toward the edge rather than into the thicker centre.
  • Stay calm in big crowds and use deep breathing to manage stress or panic in emergencies.

9. Quick Reactions in Health Emergencies

Festival medical staff are your best allies. If you feel unwell, don't tough it out or wait. Go to the first aid post or welfare tent — even something that seems minor can worsen fast. Particularly if there is any risk of drink spiking, if you become separated from your friends or feel unsafe or uncomfortable – seek help.

10. Smart Communication Plans & Buddy Points

  • Set a central meet-up spot with friends ("by the big oak tree at the main stage") in case phones die.
  • Try and stay in pairs even if the whole group doesn't manage to stay together
  • Carry emergency contacts on your person with key numbers
  • Always know who to go to – or who to call in an emergency

11. Alertness, Boundaries & Self-Trust

Your intuition is powerful. If someone approaches or a situation ever makes you uncomfortable, remove yourself without second-guessing. Festival staff are there to help—don’t hesitate to ask. Solo doesn’t mean alone or unsafe. Read How to Safely Solo Travel as a Woman – a Solo Travel Expert

 

12. Bonus: Connect with Solo-Friendly Communities

One way to feel safer and connect with other like-minded women who don't scaremonger and instead boost your confidence for music festivals? Join my solo female travel community – Solo Adventure Gals! You can meet other women going to the same festival, arrange to camp nearby, or simply have someone to WhatsApp between sets.

You’ve got the tunes lined up, your outfit ready, plans sorted—and memories waiting to be made. With these safety tips, you’re not just surviving the festival—you’re owning it. Stay confident, stay smart, and soak in every beat (and beautiful sunset) knowing you’re fully prepared—#FestivalSafe and free to sparkle.