Getting Searched At Boomtown: What You Need to Know
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17 December 2023 / Festival FAQs / 5 minutes of reading
Do You Get Searched at Boomtown? Security searches at the gate of any festival or large event can make people feel anxious – even if they’re not carrying prohibited items!
This article contains information about the process of entering Boomtown, how thoroughly people are searched and what to look out for.
The conditions of entry do state that you may be searched upon entry and that the organisers reserve the right to search festival goers for prohibited items. If you’ve never been to Boomtown before, you may have some questions about getting searched and what the process is.
It’s extremely common for festivals to search people upon entry for public safety and to prevent prohibited items such as weapons or drugs getting past the gate.
FAQs about searches at Boomtown Fair
Since 2015 – this is how entrance into Boomtown works:
You start off by queueing – this is just like any other festival queue. You have to queue through the zig-zags (often walking uphill – it is Boomtown after all!) while laden with all your stuff.
Near the end of the queue, after checking your tickets but before getting your wristbands, you will come across some amnesty bins.
Amnesty bins at the entrance to Boomtown
After the amnesty bins will be an area just before you get your wristband where you will walk past security, dog handlers and bag searchers.
A security guard with a security dog (aka “sniffer dog” at the gates of Boomtown) – the dog is just behind this fencing as I didn’t want to make it obvious that I was taking a photo!
What are they searching for?
Security at the festival gate are searching for prohibited items:
– Fireworks – Weapons – Glass* – Drugs – Live animals (seriously, people try to bring pets to festivals!)
* This includes mirrors and cosmetic items, but excludes glasses and sunglasses
Does everyone get searched at Boomtown?
No, it would be impossible to search every single person but everyone has a potential to get searched when going into Boomtown.
How thorough are the searches at the gate?
As thorough as they need to be to find what they’re looking for.
Sometimes searches are just are cursory glance in the top of your bags, but they can ask you to empty everything out if they feel its necessary. If this happens to you, just comply with what they’re asking, it’ll only hold you up for longer if you don’t.
Do they open up your tent and search your camping gear?
If they feel it’s necessary, yes they can ask you to unroll your tent and sleeping bag and feel around for any prohibited items such as glass bottles etc.
Are there sniffer dogs at the gate?
Yes, I have seen sniffer dogs and handlers actively working at the gates when entering Boomtown Festival.
Are they always there? No. But, most of the time, they are going to be there in the interest of public safety.
You aren’t made to stand in front of a dog, but the dogs and their handlers will be walking around the entrance lanes waiting for the dog to indicate next to someone.
If a handler and their dog approaches you, let them sniff around and move on.
If the dog does indicate next to you, you will be taken away to a tent for a thorough bag search. Scroll further down this article for a video showing the full “thorough” searching process at Boomtown.
It’s fairly common to see sniffer dogs at the Boomtown gates, unlike festivals like Glastonbury where searches are far more relaxed (but still can happen)
Do you get searched inside the festival or at the stages?
Probably not. Firstly, Boomtown doesn’t have any separate arenas, once you’re inside the fence, the campsites, stages, market areas and everything else is all accessible.
It’s extremely uncommon for festivalgoers to be searched at stages or while walking around inside the festival. Most of the random searches happen at the gates and not inside the festival.
However, suspicious behaviour or using prohibited items out in the open could result in you being searched if security wanted to.
Do you get searched upon second entry or re-entry at Boomtown?
Yes, the same rules apply for getting searched upon re-entry as they do for the first time entry. If you leave the festival and come back in, you may be searched again.
Also, you’re only allowed to bring all your alcohol upon your first entry into Boomtown – so you cannot re-enter the festival with any alcohol at all.
Do they search Campervans & Caravans at Boomtown?
Yes, they can search campervans and caravans upon entry to Boomtown.
They’re looking for prohibited items such as glass, live animals, drugs and even smuggled people trying to get in without a ticket! It’s much faster to comply with their requests when they’re searching your van.
What happens if you’re caught with prohibited items?
The items are confiscated. If the items are illegal, you may also be ejected from the festival and handed to the police.
Can you refuse to be searched by security at Boomtown?
Of course you can, but they can also refuse you entry into the event. Searches are a condition of entry so when you purchase a ticket, you agree to the possibility of being searched.
Once you’re inside the festival – it’s extremely relaxed and easy going! You can enjoy yourself!
Conclusion: Getting searched at Boomtown
Getting searched at festivals it’s extremely common, and it’s important part of the process to deter criminals and keep people safe. Most people are not searched thoroughly. Security staff are training to look for suspicious behaviour in crowds so they will be keeping a close eye on everything.
Don’t let the anxiety get the better of you, entering a festival is extremely stressful but it’ll be aaaaaaalllll worth it once you’re in your campsite with a beer in your hand watching the sunset ?
Alexis has been attending, working and volunteering at festivals since the early 2000s. With a firm belief that festivals are not just about a weekend away - festivals are a way of life! Without festivals, where would we be? In a very boring place! Festivals can be extremely overwhelming for a first-timer, so I've documented as many tips, tricks and hacks as possible on this website for you to peruse at your own leisure.
