If you couldn't get a ticket, or didn't have the funds this year, here's the solution
Alexandra Pollard

14:50 18th April 2016

As you probably already knew, Glastonbury tickets went on re-sale yesterday (17 April) - and sold out in the blink of an eye. If you were one of those unlucky people for whom yesterday was your last ditch attempt to get tickets, fear not. There's still hope.

You can still get into this year's festival, which is headlined by Muse, Coldplay and Adele, and without paying any money whatsoever. Here's how. 

  • Festaff: The organisation oversees a variety of volunteering roles for Glastonbury, including stewarding, wristbanding, bar staff and ‘decanting roles’ (whatever that means). You’re required to complete two eight hours shifts, which is less time commitment than a lot of other volunteering jobs at the festival. Get more information here. 

  • Paid jobs: The festival has a number of short-term paid jobs, in general admin and enquiries, as well as sanitation and ground works. You probably won’t get as much time to enjoy the actual festival, but you’ll still get to earn actual money while you’re there. Just upload your CV onto Glastonbury’s website here.  

  • Recycling Crew: There’s an absolutely terrifying amount of waste and litter left behind by Glastonbury-goers every year, but thankfully, dealing with in a responsible way is important to the festival’s organisers. Being a part of the Recycle Crew gets you a free ticket, two free meals for every day you work, hot showers and free tea and coffee - but you do have to work 24 hours over the whole festival. If that appeals, you can apply to be on the team here.  

  • Festival Medical Services: Obviously, not just anyone can be a part of Glastonbury’s medical team - but if you’re trained in first aid, or are willing to take part in the organisation’s training course, you can get a free ticket to boot. FMS offers a whole host of important services at Glasto, and are looking for first aiders, a mental health team, doctors, nurses, first responders and more. If that suits you, then apply here. 

  • Oxfam: One of the biggest stewarding presences at the festival is Oxfam, who take 2,500 stewards, shop volunteers and campaigners to Glastonbury each year. You’ll have to pay a £230 deposit, but you’ll get it back once you’ve completed your work. Again, they’re fully booked for this year, but there is a waiting list, which you can add yourself to here.  

  • Small Steps Project: Another organisation aiming to turn the Glastonbury waste into something good, the Small Steps Project last year collected 3 tonnes of discarded wellies, which would have taken hundreds of years to decompose, and redistributed them to people in developing countries living on landfill to protect their feet. They also organise an auction of wellies signed by the artists on the bill. If you want to volunteer for the SSP, visit here. 

  • Shelter: The homeless charity recruits volunteers for the festival every year, in exchange for a free ticket. The places are filled this year, but there’s a waiting list in case of drop-outs, which you can add yourself to here.  Look how happy these two are that they signed up.


Photo: WENN