Get ready for Glastonbury 2025: 11 essentials to pack, plan and download

The Guardian

a day ago

If you're one of the 140,000 music fans who are about to get stuck into five days of partying in the Somerset fields of fun; congratulations for managing to bag a much-coveted ticket. An absolutely golden weekend lies ahead of you (well, once the tent has been pitched).
But while it's probably as far removed from a Scouts' camping trip as you can get, it's still advisable to follow their old mantra – even for a slightly more debauched countryside visit – and be prepared. With mere weeks to go, here's everything you should plan, download and pack to make it a truly incredible experience …
1 SunscreenWill it be a sunny Glasto this year? That, unfortunately, is up to the weather gods. So while you'll need to cover yourself just in case by bringing wellies and a poncho (which can also be fashioned as a make-shift ground cover to sit on), don't skimp on a bottle of factor 50 as well. Guess what's worse than being soaking and trudging round in the mud? Being sunburnt and trudging round in the mud. Expect all of the weather at some point over the festival, and prevent your face from being that shiny red moon beaming out from every single photo taken while you're there.
2 EarplugsIs there such a thing as too much music? Perhaps, especially if you're trying to take a little disco nap in the afternoon. Also, never underestimate the amount of noise 50,000 people in a field separated only by tent canvas make. Bring some earplugs (and an eye mask) in the hope that a tactical 40 winks will power you all the way through to Olivia Rodrigo on Sunday night.
3 Download the Official Glastonbury app, powered by VodafoneBefore you set off, download the Official Glastonbury 2025 app, powered by Vodafone, to help you plan your ultimate festival experience; as if Glastonbury had been tailored for you alone. With the latest full lineup, timings and an A-Z of artists (including the super-handy Now and Next widget), input your must-see shows to create your own personal lineup, and the app will ping you a reminder before each musical moment takes place.
4 Mates meeting mapThe Official Glastonbury app, powered by Vodafone, also has a life-saving fully interactive festival site map where you can customise pins, as well as being able to share meeting point pins with friends. Set it up and share with your pals on your trip down to the farm, and never get separated from the pack after a toilet break again!
5 SnacksWhile there's a veritable buffet of great food always on offer across the site – and all the food and merch stalls are handily pinpointed on the official app's map – ask yourself, can you really be arsed to queue up for 30 minutes for a burrito while you're already having to navigate the programming clash of the Ezra Collective and Greentea Peng? Obviously, don't skip your meals (mid-afternoon is always the best time to hit the street food stalls, FYI) but the power of an energy boosting snack can't be denied, so bring bananas, apples, dried fruit and nuts, cereal bars and crisps to munch on.
6 Tent topperPicture the scene: it's 4am and you're ready to crash. As you trek up behind the Park stage to the camping area, it's a brain twister: you're faced with a sea of tents that to your tired eyes look identical. To avoid playing a pre-dawn game of Where's Wally (the tent version), bring a marker to fly up from the top of your camping spot. A flag, portable LED lighting, solar-powered light or even a comedy windsock should help it to stand out from the pack, saving you valuable lost minutes – hours even – in the process. Don't forget to double up by customising a pin on the interactive festival map to help you locate yours, or for that matter, on Monday morning, your car (if you've driven there).
7 Battery packYou know that person who always begs to borrow your battery pack as their phone's about to die? Don't be that person. Instead buy a fully charged battery pack from Vodafone at the festival – pre-order is available – then exchange it for another fully charged one free once a day. That way you'll be sure to have enough power to capture all your favourite moments.
8 ElectrolytesCome on, you know by now you need to drink loads of water when out in the elements for a few days. This year, hack your water and help rehydrate and replenish everything that was shaken off on the dancefloor at San Remo the night before. Electrolytes, the tried-and-tested old raver favourites, come in sachets, effervescent tablets or, failing that, natural coconut water works as well.
9 Socks (and blister pads)With 365 hectares (900 acres) to explore, your little tootsies are going to be humming by the end of the day. If it's welly weather, the boots can rub, so make sure to bring thick socks, blister pads, and – if you're extra bougie – a couple of foot masks to stick on overnight to put more pep in your step the next day. For a bit of extra fun, step count tracking has been added to the Official Glastonbury app from Vodafone – and will be available in the Glastonbury Highlights post-festival wrap. You can then share, to see which of your friends really has covered the ground (or done the most dancing).
10 Crossbody bagIt's fashion, but it's … also functional? The sartorial stars have aligned and the humble bumbag is back in business, albeit given a glow-up as a crossbody bag. Once again, they'll be ubiquitous all over festival season, with just enough room for your phone, battery pack and any other essential items needed for fun, but gloriously all hands-free.
11 Socials Bragging rights on socials? It's probably the one time of the year everyone will allow it. So once you've packed up your tent (remember: leave no trace) and trundled off to Castle Cary train station, it's time to unleash the content. The Glastonbury app will generate Your Glastonbury Highlights that can easily be shared online for you and all your new festival friends to get misty-eyed over, and to start planning the 2026 Glasto reunion.
Vodafone, connecting you to Glastonbury this summerThe Official Glastonbury 2025 app is available now! Download the free app, powered by Vodafone