As the sun blazes over Somerset, the stage is set for one of the most anticipated events of the year: the Glastonbury Festival 2025. This world-famous gathering, renowned not only for its music but for its unique culture and vibrant atmosphere, is about to unfold at Worthy Farm in Pilton from June 25 to June 29. Against the backdrop of the UK's hottest week of the year, preparations are in full swing, with organisers and attendees alike bracing for an unforgettable experience.
Worthy Farm, the iconic site of Glastonbury, has been buzzing with activity. Organisers have shared evocative images of the festival grounds, including a strikingly large peace sign laid out in front of the Pyramid Stage. This symbol encapsulates the festival’s core values: peace, unity, respect, and hope. As they put it, these ideals "underpin all that they stand for," setting the tone for what promises to be a celebration of human endeavour in its many forms.
The timing couldn’t be more dramatic. The UK has been sweltering through a mini-heatwave, with temperatures soaring past 32°C in the southeast and reaching 30°C in parts of the West Country, including Somerset. This warmth has drawn crowds outdoors, whether it’s cricket fans cheering on Somerset’s men and women’s teams or families enjoying the natural beauty of places like Cheddar Gorge, where a family of goats was recently spotted basking in the sun.
Cricket has been a highlight in the county this June. Will Smeed took to the crease on June 15 during the Vitality Blast Men’s match against Kent Spitfires, while Charlie Dean showed her bowling prowess on June 19 in the Vitality Blast Women’s match versus Hampshire Hawks. These tense matches have added a sporty flair to the region’s vibrant cultural scene as the festival approaches.
Meanwhile, the legendary Flying Scotsman steam train has been chugging along its route between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead, offering four daily excursions throughout June. This nostalgic journey adds a touch of historic charm to the area, a perfect complement to the festival’s blend of tradition and modernity.
However, as thousands prepare to descend upon Pilton, the weather forecast introduces a note of uncertainty. According to the Met Office, the long spell of hot weather is expected to break just as festival-goers arrive. Between Sunday, June 22, and Tuesday, June 24, Somerset will experience a "fresher and breezier spell," with showers possible. The most likely window for rain is between 10pm on Wednesday, June 25, and 1am on Thursday, June 26, with a 50% chance of precipitation near the Royal Bath and West Showground, adjacent to the festival site.
While the possibility of showers might cause some concern, experts are reassuring. The Met Office and other forecasters like BBC Weather and AccuWeather predict no major downpours akin to the notorious 2005 floods that disrupted the festival. Instead, prolonged dry periods and warm, sunny spells are expected to prevail. Temperatures will dip to a more comfortable high of around 23°C during the festival week, which many will welcome after the recent heatwave.
For those heading to Glastonbury, preparation is key. Navigating five days in a field with 200,000 strangers can be daunting, especially when the walk from the entrance to the tents is no small feat. Attendees are advised to pack light but smart. Essentials include tickets, ID, bank cards, cash, and practical items like comfortable shoes, wellies or walking boots, waterproof jackets or ponchos, sun cream, and reusable water bottles. Camping gear such as tents, sleeping bags, roll mats, and torches are vital, alongside toiletries and first aid supplies.
Food and drink preparations are equally important. While alcohol is permitted (no glass bottles, though), festival-goers are encouraged to bring non-perishable snacks like cereal bars, nuts, instant noodles, and tinned foods. The festival’s layout has seen significant changes this year, so staying informed with the official map and guides will help visitors make the most of their experience.
Yet, Glastonbury is far more than just logistics and weather. It’s a cultural phenomenon filled with stories that range from the hilarious to the downright surreal. Attendees and performers alike share tales that capture the festival’s magic and madness. Ethan, a music publicist from London, recalls a 2017 night at the now-defunct Rabbit Hole bar where he and friends dressed in sequin dresses after skipping the queue, dancing until dawn. Sue, a nutritionist from Bristol, remembers her old Mini Metro being stolen from the festival car park in 1982, only to be found abandoned weeks later at a railway station.
Bob Vylan, performing at the BBC backstage area, witnessed a bizarre scene of four people feeding each other chips with their feet, while Patrick from London saw a man at the Pyramid Stage being turned upside down by friends as ketamine was administered, much to the crowd's cheers. Izzy and her friend volunteered for Oxfam in 2022, enduring late-night shifts and delirious puppet conversations, a testament to the festival’s camaraderie.
Jack Cullen’s story adds a twist of irony: he and a friend mocked a man leaving Glastonbury to play a "village cricket match," only to discover it was Jos Buttler, England’s cricket captain, heading to an international match. Other anecdotes include sightings of Thom Yorke nervously asking Lennon Gallagher for a selfie, a naked man bouncing on a trampoline near luxury teepees, and a 10-year-old kid walking on stilts at the Greenpeace stage.
Festival-goers also recount encounters with charismatic magicians, drag queens who help them skip queues, and secret performances like Cyndi Lauper’s raw, unplugged set at NYC Downlow. These moments, peppered with humor and unexpected connections, define the spirit of Glastonbury.
As the festival gates prepare to open, the anticipation is palpable. Local heroes like retired GP Dr. Harvey Sampson have been honoured with the British Empire Medal for their dedication to community health, reflecting the spirit of service and unity that Glastonbury embodies. The festival remains a place where music, culture, and human stories intertwine under the ever-changing British sky.
Whether drenched in sunshine or kissed by a gentle shower, the fields of Worthy Farm are ready to welcome a new wave of fans eager to create memories that will last a lifetime. With peace signs glowing in the twilight and the echoes of legendary performances awaiting, Glastonbury 2025 promises to be a chapter in the festival’s storied history that no one will soon forget.
