Glastonbury 2025: The Legendary Festival Returns

Glastonbury isn’t a place where you just show up, watch some bands, and go home. It’s five days of complete immersion. You’ll walk miles from stage to stage, watch sunrise sets after an all-night dance marathon, eat some of the best festival food in the UK, and get lost in weird, surreal pockets of Glastonbury that you never even planned on visiting. The Pyramid Stage will bring the biggest names in music, but it’s the hidden areas, the impromptu performances, and the random encounters that make this festival unlike any other.

The weather might be a challenge (the Glastonbury mud is legendary for a reason), but that’s part of the adventure. Whether the sun is shining or you’re knee-deep in puddles, the festival goes on, and so do you.

For first-timers, the scale of it all can be overwhelming. That’s where planning makes all the difference. Knowing where to camp, how to move around the site, and what areas to explore will make your experience ten times better. But at the same time, don’t overthink it—some of the best moments at Glastonbury happen when you throw the plan away and just go with the flow.

If this is your first time, prepare for something truly special. And if you’ve been before? You already know why you’re coming back.

As of now, the official lineup hasn’t been announced, but if Glastonbury’s history tells us anything, it’s that we can expect huge names, unexpected reunions, and at least one jaw-dropping surprise act.

When will the lineup be released?

Glastonbury typically reveals its first big headliners around late 2024, with the full lineup dropping in early 2025. That means plenty of time for rumors, speculation, and last-minute additions that no one saw coming.

Past years have brought in icons like Paul McCartney, Elton John, Metallica, Arctic Monkeys, The Rolling Stones, and Radiohead, alongside modern-day festival giants like Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Dua Lipa, and The 1975. Who’s next? That’s the million-pound question.

One of the best things about Glastonbury is how each stage has its own vibe, its own crowd, and its own legendary moments waiting to happen.

•Pyramid Stage – The main event. This is where the biggest headliners play, where history is made, and where you’ll be squeezed into a massive sea of people watching a once-in-a-lifetime performance.

• Other Stage – Equally packed, but slightly more eclectic. This is where you’ll see the biggest non-headliners and huge names who might be headlining in a few years.

• West Holts – A melting pot of genres, featuring everything from jazz and funk to electronic and hip-hop.

•The Park Stage – If you’re into indie, alternative, or left-field music, this is the stage where some of the best sets of the weekend go down.

•John Peel Stage – Dedicated to emerging artists, this is where you’ll see acts before they blow up. Many Pyramid Stage headliners started here.

• Arcadia – If you want fire-breathing robots and a full-throttle rave, Arcadia’s legendary 360-degree DJ stage setup is where you need to be.

•Shangri-La & The Rabbit Hole – Late-night, surreal, and a completely different world from the main festival. If you’re still standing at 3 AM, this is where things get truly weird.

💡 Pro Tip: The biggest names will have insane crowds, so if you want a good spot for a Pyramid Stage headliner, get there at least an hour before.

One of Glastonbury’s biggest traditions is the secret set phenomenon. Some of the most insane performances have come from artists who weren’t even on the lineup, with last-minute surprise slots that go down in festival history.

Past surprise acts have included Radiohead, The Killers, Lady Gaga, Foals, and even The Libertines. These are often announced just hours before they happen, so stay tuned to festival rumors, posters around the site, and social media.

Glastonbury Festival is one of the biggest events in the UK, but it’s not just the festival itself that makes this trip special. Somerset, the region that hosts Glastonbury, is full of historic landmarks, mystical sites, charming countryside, and cool towns worth exploring before or after the festival.

Whether you’re looking for a place to recover, extend your adventure, or experience more of England’s culture, here are some of the best spots near Glastonbury to check out.

Just a short distance from the festival grounds, Glastonbury Town is a place that feels like stepping into another world. Famous for its mythology, spirituality, and unique bohemian atmosphere, it’s packed with historic sites and mystical energy.

One of the most iconic spots is Glastonbury Tor, a hill that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the countryside. Steeped in Arthurian legends and ancient myths, it’s one of the most recognizable landmarks in the UK. A sunrise hike to the top after the festival is an unforgettable experience, giving you a moment to reflect before heading home.

Down in the town, the Chalice Well & Gardens offers a completely different vibe—serene, meditative, and surrounded by greenery. The well itself has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries, with some believing its natural spring has healing properties. Meanwhile, Glastonbury Abbey, a hauntingly beautiful ruin, is said to be the burial site of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, adding even more mystery to the town’s deep history.

Beyond the landmarks, the streets of Glastonbury are a destination on their own. The town is filled with crystal shops, tarot readers, organic cafés, and market stalls, creating an atmosphere that’s completely unique. It’s a perfect place to wind down, grab some local food, and soak in the last moments of the festival trip.

A short drive from Glastonbury, Wells is officially the smallest city in England, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in charm and history. If you’re even slightly interested in medieval architecture, Wells Cathedral is a must-visit. Its intricate Gothic design and massive stained-glass windows make it one of the most breathtaking cathedrals in the UK. Right next to it, the Bishop’s Palace is equally impressive, complete with beautiful gardens and even a medieval moat.

For something truly unique, take a walk down Vicar’s Close, known as the oldest continuously inhabited street in Europe, with houses that date back to the 14th century. The whole city has a laid-back feel, making it an ideal stop if you want to experience history without the crowds.

If you’re up for some adventure, Cheddar Gorge is one of the most dramatic natural landscapes in the UK. Towering limestone cliffs, winding scenic roads, and deep underground caves make this a perfect place for hiking and exploring.

The Jacob’s Ladder trail takes you to some of the most stunning viewpoints in Somerset, with a panoramic lookout over the gorge. If you’re interested in history and archaeology, the Cheddar Caves hold some incredible prehistoric secrets, including the remains of Cheddar Man, the UK’s oldest complete skeleton. And since you’re in the birthplace of Cheddar cheese, stopping by one of the local dairies for a fresh tasting is practically mandatory.

For something completely different, heading to the Somerset coast is a great way to switch up the scenery. The quiet beaches of Burnham-on-Sea and the more lively atmosphere of Weston-super-Mare offer a classic British seaside town experience, complete with fish and chips and laid-back ocean views.

If you’re looking for something more rugged and dramatic, Kilve Beach is a hidden gem with fossil-filled cliffs and a stunningly wild landscape. It’s a peaceful spot, ideal for a reflective walk after the chaos of the festival.

Glastonbury is an intense experience, and if you have extra time, exploring Somerset is the perfect way to wind down and add another layer to your trip. Whether you’re climbing Glastonbury Tor at sunrise, walking through the medieval streets of Wells, hiking Cheddar Gorge, or relaxing by the sea, taking an extra day or two lets you experience a side of England that most festival-goers never get to see.

So before you rush back to normal life, why not stretch out the adventure a little longer?

Glastonbury isn’t just another festival—it’s a world of its own, a place where reality bends, where music, art, and community collide to create something completely unique. Whether it’s your first time or your tenth, there’s always something new to discover, always a moment that catches you off guard and sticks with you long after you leave Worthy Farm. But surviving—and truly thriving—at Glastonbury takes more than just showing up.

This festival is not for the unprepared. It’s massive, unpredictable, exhausting, and, if you do it right, one of the best experiences of your life. The difference between just getting through it and fully experiencing it comes down to a few key things that most festival-goers don’t think about until it’s too late.

First, choose your camping spot wisely. Where you set up your tent defines your entire experience. Want to be in the heart of the action? Go for a field near the main stages, but be prepared for zero sleep. Looking for a balance between fun and rest? Sticklinch or Worthy View are smart choices. If you need actual sleep and space, aim for the quieter areas on the edges of the site. And whatever you do, get there early—good spots go fast.

Second, prepare for the unexpected. At some point, it’s going to rain. The mud will be brutal. Your phone signal will disappear. You’ll lose your friends. But the best festival pros embrace the chaos. Bring the right gear—waterproof boots, a poncho, a reusable bottle, and a solid power bank will save you. More importantly, have a backup plan. Set meeting points, know the general layout of the site, and don’t rely on your phone to find your way. The people who roll with it instead of stressing about every little inconvenience? They have the best time.

Third, don’t just stick to the main lineup. Yes, the Pyramid Stage is legendary, but Glastonbury’s magic is in the unexpected moments. Some of the best sets happen at tiny secret stages in The Park, deep inside Shangri-La, or in a random tent you wander into at 3 AM. The biggest mistake first-timers make is only planning for headliners and missing out on the hidden gems that make Glastonbury special.

Fourth, pace yourself. This is a five-day marathon, not a sprint. The people who go too hard on the first day are the ones you see curled up in a camping chair by Friday night, completely wrecked. Take breaks. Hydrate. Eat real food. If you plan it right, you’ll still have energy to dance your heart out when the final act takes the stage on Sunday.

And finally, disconnect from the outside world. The best Glastonbury experiences happen when you stop worrying about getting the perfect video for Instagram and just live in the moment. Forget the phone. Forget the schedule. Wander. Explore. Let yourself get lost in it all. Because once it’s over, once the last song echoes across Worthy Farm and the stages start coming down, you’ll already be counting down the days until you can do it all again.

This is Glastonbury 2025. Experience it fully, and it’ll stay with you forever.