Where else can I go

[Bexxxxx]

Anyone got any suggestions for alternatives which are good for small kids too? I'm thinking End of the Road, Green Man, maybe Beautiful Days...but wondered if you lovely people can suggest anything else...

[BlackHole2006]

If you're favorite stages are the Avalon, Acoustic and The Glade then Bearded Theory is the a good shout. Compact festival so really easy to get around, flat ground and always has something decent on. Pretty cheap as well for 4 days, also at the end of May so you can do a bigger festival in Europe around the time of Glastonbury.

[Supernintendo Chalmers]

2 hours ago, amfy said:

we loved Sziget so much last year that we didn't even try for Glastonbury tickets this year.

its in the beautiful city of Budapest. The weather is great and it's cheap. There are a fantastic range of camping options from basic through to one with a swimming pool, or it is easy to stay in the city and come in and out daily by boat or train. It does all the stuff Glastonbury does and, despite it being a bit more commercial, I found it had more of the traditional Glastonbury vibe than the current Glastonbury has. It's friendly and relaxed, people dance to anything anywhere and are totally up for it! There is also a fantastic variety of other stuff going on political, recreational, educational, theatrical...

......but the loveliest thing is that everyone you talk to is from somewhere else, it's like a world party. 

Think we're gonna do Sziget next year. Any tips much appreciated :-)

[Supernintendo Chalmers]

1 hour ago, Bexxxxx said:

Anyone got any suggestions for alternatives which are good for small kids too? I'm thinking End of the Road, Green Man, maybe Beautiful Days...but wondered if you lovely people can suggest anything else...

Beautiful Days is a cracking little festival. Was going to suggest it to the OP as a Glastonbury alternative actually

[Tyonks]

2 hours ago, amfy said:

we loved Sziget so much last year that we didn't even try for Glastonbury tickets this year.

 

I'm very tempted to do Sziget for the fallow year. Did you stay for the whole week? Or do people generally dip in and out - I'm pretty sure partying Monday to Sunday would absolutely kill your insides, but I do suffer terribly from FOMO(Fear of missing out) so I would be tempted by the whole week

[Thearg]

Another one here for Beautiful days and they've got the Bimble inn

[jackarmy]

9 hours ago, Tyonks said:

I'm very tempted to do Sziget for the fallow year. Did you stay for the whole week? Or do people generally dip in and out - I'm pretty sure partying Monday to Sunday would absolutely kill your insides, but I do suffer terribly from FOMO(Fear of missing out) so I would be tempted by the whole week

We camped at Sziget for a full week, proper roughed it - and I'll admit that it did kill my insides! Great festival though, but I'd probably look to get an apartment if I went again - Budapest is a great city, and there's so much to do outside of the festival!

[amfy]

For those asking about Sziget..

we went for 10 days so that we would have a few days either side of the festival to explore Budapest, which we were glad we did as it is a fantastic city.

we stayed in an apartment in central Buda, which was fabulous. At the time we booked it with free cancellation, it was only just under £300 for 10 nights - we had a bath, kitchen & 2 double bedrooms and there was only the 2 of us! Unfortunately, Brexit & the effect on the exchange rate out that closer to £400 by the time we paid on arrival, but really £40/a night is still very cheap - and obviously there are cheaper places with less space! This year we have booked an apartment right opposite the festival for £322 - it's modern and has a gym, pool and sauna in the basement! I recommend centring your search on Obuda rather than Budapest as the festival is on Obudai Island. I think an ideal spot would be near to Margarit Hid (Margaret Bridge) - half way between  the festival and the city to enjoy both fully - and the transport (boat and train) is very good between there and the festival. Air bnb have some good ones.

camping is mostly in shade and like Glastonbury it is amongst the stages. Like with Glastonbury, you might end up somewhere less desirable if you arrive late. There are more showers than Glastonbury but reports I heard said they were a little hit & miss. 

you can get a Sziget city pass for about £20 and it is another wristband so you never need to worry about losing it or having it on you. Then - all public transport is free, and you get one free trip to a lido/spa too - which is an experience in itself! We travelled in by train for the first few days and it took about 30-45 mins from the centre where we were. On the first day - it chucked it down just so we wouldn't miss Glastonbury too much - so we went back for a change of clothes and realised that it took no longer than nipping back to our tent in Bushy Ground! Then we realised the boat was also near to our apartment and we went up the river for the rest of the week - which took longer but was beautiful. The last boat back is about 2am. (The weather is usually around 30 degrees at that time of year. It can be stormy but it passes and dries out quickly - during our week it was mostly around 24-25 - like good English summer)

The festival itself is very young. It is advertised as very glamorous with lots of skinny beautiful young women shaking their hair in slow motion - but, although the young people are beautiful as the young always are, there is a much greater sense that they are wearing what came to hand, punky coloured hair, less make up, a genuine readiness to enjoy whatever is happening  rather than waiting for that one tune they love ( there is a bit of that of course but much less than I have noticed at Glastonbury of late). The line up is patchy and the undercard is unrecognisable - which was my biggest worry before I went but I loved all the different music from different places, with massed singalongs in different languages - in the end, if you go with an open mind - this is an unexpected strength - everyone's openness to enjoying something new and different.

There was a high level of awareness of the refugee crisis with the 'Tent without borders' offering education and debates daily, a games section with games where competitors had to co-operate to win, a disability park where you could complete an obstacle course in a wheelchair, or rock climb blindfold, or learn sign language.

you can't take your own alcohol despite it being a non-arena festival, but alcohol is very cheap - around £2 a pint, cocktails about £4-5. (also - you can buy locally cheap and you can work out how to get it in - it's not hard!)  A wide variety of alcohol is available so you aren't stuck with pints. Most of the young people wander round with buckets of cocktails. They have a festipay system which works well - 90 different nationalities trying to work out how many forints they need at the bar would be a nightmare so everyone just loads their card - you can also cancel it if you lose it and get your money back so it is secure.

i think I have probably said too much!

[waterfalls212434]

samsara in hungary? if your into alternative lifestyles etc. big on ambient dance stuff like solar fields, carbon based lifeforms etc 
 

the 3 wishes faerie fest here in sunny cornwall?

 

Lots around away from the `main` festivals to check out.

[hfuhruhurr]

Has anyone been to Rock Werchter? The line up every year looks fabulous, but I've no idea what the vibe is like - friendly and daft like Glastonbury or young and dumb like Reading?
(disclaimer - I go to Reading almost every year since it's local, and the issue is that it's a right-of-passage for so many 16yr old GCSE students that are drunk for the first time and become a wee [yes, wee] bit feral)

[Noeliam]

11 hours ago, SPTFRE said:

Think we're gonna do Sziget next year. Any tips much appreciated :-)

 

11 hours ago, Tyonks said:

I'm very tempted to do Sziget for the fallow year. Did you stay for the whole week? Or do people generally dip in and out - I'm pretty sure partying Monday to Sunday would absolutely kill your insides, but I do suffer terribly from FOMO(Fear of missing out) so I would be tempted by the whole week

If you have any specific question send me a pm, I've been three times (and will try to go again next year!!).

In 2016 we camped for the first time the full 10 days!! It's incredible! a 7 days pass is a must if you want a good (well decorated, not on the road, with some lights if possible) camping spot, adding 3 days before also helps you get the perfect spot, and you familiarize yourself with the location (not as big as glasto but it's big). 

[Troop Dogg]

Did WOMAD this year instead of Glasto. Very friendly, very chilled out - great if you're a West Holts kinda person. 

[danegg]

Enjoying this thread a lot. Perhaps there is life outside of Glastonbury after all!

That said, i'm obviously going to be sat at this computer in April, rapidly pressing F5 etc etc. 

[Supernintendo Chalmers]

1 hour ago, Noeliam said:

 

If you have any specific question send me a pm, I've been three times (and will try to go again next year!!).

In 2016 we camped for the first time the full 10 days!! It's incredible! a 7 days pass is a must if you want a good (well decorated, not on the road, with some lights if possible) camping spot, adding 3 days before also helps you get the perfect spot, and you familiarize yourself with the location (not as big as glasto but it's big). 

Nice one, I might take you up on that once we finally decide :-)

[Noeliam]

23 minutes ago, SPTFRE said:

Nice one, I might take you up on that once we finally decide :-)

I have a lot to talk about this festival, so don't hesitate it makes me happy to share  (and maybe you'll buy me a beer next august  ).

In 2012 it was the fallow year and M. Eavis advised people to go to Sziget!

Edited October 10, 2016 by Noeliam

[grumpyhack]

I kick off my festival season with Wychwood at Cheltenham Racecourse (June 2-6 in 2017).  Good all round festival with a nice mix.  After that it tends to be much smaller niche festivals to match my musical taste and within a reasonable drive (I now tow a big caravan).

Annoyingly, some of the festivals I would otherwise consider are 'No Caravan' festivals - like Beautiful Days or Watchet.

I'll probably do Steelhouse at Ebbw Vale in July and Farmer Phil's near Shrewsbury in August but there's nothing to match or even come close to Glastonbury.  So, having failed at T Day (though hoping for the resales) I'm still not sure what to do in Glasto week.

[Avalon_Fields]

Bearded Theory is a good alternative to Glastonbury, has a similar vibe. Music is roots / reggae / punk / folk predominantly. Of those I've been to it's my favourite after Glastonbury.

[JBarbour]

Another vote for BoomTown Fair. Think stages and set up of Shangri-La / Block9 / Common on a much larger scale. 

Boomtown is a lot more creative and immersive than Glasto I'd say. The stages are so impressive.

There are "streets" like shangri la with loads of venues and little secrets all over the site.

The festival site is vast, hilly in places, wooded areas - gives it real character and separates the different areas/themes. 

Food and drink on offer rivals glastonbury. Every area has a theme and filled with actors and theatre performers that bring it alive. The crowd / festival goers are very diverse. The night time entertainment and whats on offer if fantastic.  

Prob never beat glasto on depth of music with any festival to be fair. 

There are other "grass roots" smaller festivals that people have mentioned.

Y Not Festival is one of my fav smaller festivals. Always decent line up for the price. 

 

Edited October 10, 2016 by craigb

[jamesrfisher]

17 hours ago, Bexxxxx said:

Anyone got any suggestions for alternatives which are good for small kids too? I'm thinking End of the Road, Green Man, maybe Beautiful Days...but wondered if you lovely people can suggest anything else...

Depends how small 'small kids' are.

 

Latitude is a very good family festival. Separate kids area with activities, theatre, fair rides. Family camping is very good too, have to have a family wristband to get in and they put on some activities before the arena opens. We have taken our son at 10 weeks, 1 year and two years and no problems. Crowd very relaxed towards children too.

 

Went to End of the Road this year and already have tickets for next year. There are things for children to do but not as much as Latitude. Also not able to take buggies into the Tipi tent or the Garden stage after 5pm, however seemed ok getting into the Garden stage. This was first year had done this and there were some complaints so they may not do it again next year, but may have to as part of the licence.

[tjamest]

On 10/9/2016 at 1:46 PM, Mich1268 said:

Sounds interesting. I am 48. Would I be the oldest there by miles? Looks young

I went to Boomtown in '14 when i was 54 and felt quite old as just about everyone i camped by were in there 20's. Went again in 2015 and although i didn't see may people older than me didn't feel as out of place as the year before.

 Like Glastonbury there will be different age groups in different areas lots of drum and bass etc Downtown for the youngsters, but also lots of Reggae, World Music, Punk, Folk etc Uptown for us of slightly more mature years.

If i don't get tickets for Glastonbury in the resale i will definitely consider it again, along with Bearded Theory at the end of May. 

[Bexxxxx]

1 hour ago, jamesrfisher said:

Depends how small 'small kids' are.

 

Latitude is a very good family festival. Separate kids area with activities, theatre, fair rides. Family camping is very good too, have to have a family wristband to get in and they put on some activities before the arena opens. We have taken our son at 10 weeks, 1 year and two years and no problems. Crowd very relaxed towards children too.

 

Went to End of the Road this year and already have tickets for next year. There are things for children to do but not as much as Latitude. Also not able to take buggies into the Tipi tent or the Garden stage after 5pm, however seemed ok getting into the Garden stage. This was first year had done this and there were some complaints so they may not do it again next year, but may have to as part of the licence.

Kids are currently 1 and 3 (will be 2 and 4 by next summer). The eldest has done 3 Glastonburys, the youngest just 1. We are Glastonbury old timers, and also have a campervan.

Thanks for the tips - Latitude appeals and I knew it was good for families. I always like the look of End of the Road. Trouble is, every time I look at other festivals I just come back to the fact that it's just not Glastonbury :(. I feel we need to branch out a bit though....

[Mich1268]

4 hours ago, Noeliam said:

I have a lot to talk about this festival, so don't hesitate it makes me happy to share  (and maybe you'll buy me a beer next august  ).

In 2012 it was the fallow year and M. Eavis advised people to go to Sziget!

Really useful info thanks Noeliam

[Mich1268]

1 hour ago, tjamest said:

I went to Boomtown in '14 when i was 54 and felt quite old as just about everyone i camped by were in there 20's. Went again in 2015 and although i didn't see may people older than me didn't feel as out of place as the year before.

 Like Glastonbury there will be different age groups in different areas lots of drum and bass etc Downtown for the youngsters, but also lots of Reggae, World Music, Punk, Folk etc Uptown for us of slightly more mature years.

If i don't get tickets for Glastonbury in the resale i will definitely consider it again, along with Bearded Theory at the end of May. 

Thanks. Me too

[eFestivals]

5 hours ago, Troop Dogg said:

Did WOMAD this year instead of Glasto. Very friendly, very chilled out - great if you're a West Holts kinda person. 

Yep, WOMAD's lovely, tho not really wild.

To go properly feral in the old styleee Glasto way, I can't recommend Boomtown highly enough. It's everything Glasto used to be tho without the mainstream acts (and with more and steeper hills).

 

[Chawk]

7 hours ago, waterfalls212434 said:

samsara in hungary? if your into alternative lifestyles etc. big on ambient dance stuff like solar fields, carbon based lifeforms etc 
 

 

Wow, this looks like something else. Although there's a fine line between genuine great vibbed hippy festival and pretentious wannabee hippy festival, and it's hard to tell without actually being there. You been?