Do You Get Searched at Glastonbury Festival? 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 the festival, 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 Glastonbury before, you may have some questions about getting searched and what the process is.
It’s 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 Glastonbury Festival
This van has the greatest number plate ever. This private security firm was spotted walking their dog around the perimeter fence near Gate D at 5am on Wednesday 22nd June 2022.
What are they searching for?
Security at the festival gate are searching for prohibited items:
* This includes mirrors and cosmetic items, but excludes glasses and sunglasses
Does everyone get searched at Glastonbury?
No, it would be impossible to search every single person but everyone has a potential to get searched when going into Glastonbury Festival.
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?
There are security dogs at Glastonbury but they’re not usually used for searching people at the gate.
A dog handler walking with a dog, patrolling the perimeter fence.
It’s not common to see sniffer dogs at the Glastonbury gates, unlike festivals like Boomtown where dogs are frequently used to sniff out drugs at the entrance.
However, the police and local authorities have the power to use sniffer dogs if they want to, so don’t take it for granted that they won’t be there.
Do you get searched inside the festival or at the stages?
Probably not. Firstly, Glastonbury 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 Glastonbury?
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.
Do you get searched at Worthy View?
Worthy View is technically outside of the festival gates, so you have to enter through the main pedestrian gates every day to get into the festival, so yes, you may get searched when entering the festival from Worthy View.
Do they search Campervans & Caravans at Glastonbury?
Yes, they can search campervans and caravans upon entry to Glastonbury.
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 Glastonbury?
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.
Most people do not worry about security searches at Glastonbury
Conclusion: Getting searched at Glastonbury
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.
