Why There's No Glastonbury in 2026: Everything You Need to Know
Is Glastonbury Cancelled in 2026?
Yes, Glastonbury Festival will not take place in 2026, but don't panic - it's not cancelled in the traditional sense. The iconic Somerset music festival is taking what's known as a "fallow year," a planned break that's been part of Glastonbury's DNA since 1988.
Emily Eavis, co-organizer of the festival, confirmed the news, stating: "We're taking a fallow year in 2026 to give the land a rest, and the festival before a fallow year is always a fun one to plan because you almost have to fit two years in one."
This means festival-goers planning their Glastonbury glamping experience will need to wait until 2027, but the break ensures the festival returns better than ever.
What Is a Glastonbury Fallow Year?
A fallow year is an agricultural tradition where land is left unplanted to allow the soil to recover and replenish its nutrients. For Glastonbury, this means giving Worthy Farm a much-needed break after hosting over 200,000 festival-goers annually - many of whom stay in glamping accommodations or traditional tents.
The concept isn't new to Glastonbury. The festival has observed fallow years in:
1988 (the first official fallow year)
1991
1996
2012
2018
While the festival was also cancelled in 2020 and 2021, these were due to the COVID-19 pandemic rather than planned fallow years.
Why Does Glastonbury Need a Fallow Year?
Protecting the Land
Worthy Farm is a 900-1,000 acre working dairy farm that produces milk for Worthy Farm cheddar. When the festival isn't taking place, the land is home to herds of cows that need healthy pastures to graze on. The intensive use from festival infrastructure - including campsites, glamping sites, stages, and foot traffic from hundreds of thousands of attendees - takes a significant toll on the land.
The fallow year allows:
Grass to regenerate properly after being trampled and compacted
Soil quality to improve following the installation of temporary structures
The cows to reclaim their land for a longer period
Prevention of irreparable damage to the working pastures
Recovery of areas used for premium glamping and camping zones
Emily Eavis emphasized: "The fallow year is important because it gives the land a rest, it gives the cows a chance to be out for longer and reclaim their land."
Supporting the Local Community
The break also provides crucial respite for the residents of Pilton village, who live with the impact of hosting one of the world's largest music festivals. This helps maintain good relations with the local community and ensures their continued support for the festival.
Sustainability Commitment
The Eavis family has always prioritized environmental responsibility. Emily Eavis stated: "Sustainability and the need to live in harmony with the land has always been vital to Glastonbury Festival."
The festival has implemented numerous eco-friendly initiatives including:
Banning single-use plastic plates, cups, and cutlery
Prohibiting glass bottles, flares, and Chinese lanterns
Requiring festival-goers to sign a 'love the farm, leave no trace' pledge
Reducing ticket sales to create more space
Encouraging sustainable accommodation choices, from traditional camping to eco-friendly glamping options
When Is the Next Glastonbury Festival?
Good news for festival fans: Glastonbury will return in 2027. The festival has confirmed dates of Wednesday 23rd June to Sunday 27th June, 2027.
Since Glastonbury always takes place on the last full weekend of June and after the Summer Solstice, this timing follows the traditional pattern. This gives glamping providers and accommodation services plenty of time to prepare for the 2027 festival season.
Glastonbury Accommodation: Camping vs Glamping
Traditional Camping
The majority of Glastonbury festival-goers bring their own tents and camp in the general camping fields. This authentic festival experience is part of Glastonbury's charm, though it requires bringing your own equipment and dealing with unpredictable British weather.
Glastonbury Glamping Options
For those seeking more comfort, glamping at Glastonbury has become increasingly popular. Glamping options typically include:
Pre-Pitched Tents: Arrive to find your tent already set up with bedding, saving you the hassle of carrying heavy camping gear.
Bell Tents: Spacious canvas tents with proper beds, often including luxury touches like rugs and furniture.
Tipi Accommodation: Stylish and spacious options that offer a unique festival experience.
Luxury Packages: Some glamping providers offer premium packages with dedicated toilets, showers, charging stations, and even breakfast service.
Campervan Glamping: For those who prefer wheels, designated campervan fields provide a more comfortable base with the convenience of your own facilities.
Why Choose Glastonbury Glamping?
Glamping at Glastonbury offers several advantages:
No need to carry heavy camping equipment
More comfortable sleeping arrangements
Better protection from mud and rain
Often includes extras like bedding, towels, and welcome packs
Closer proximity to better facilities
Perfect for first-timers or those who want to prioritize comfort
While glamping comes at a premium cost beyond the festival ticket price, many attendees find the enhanced comfort worth the investment, especially given Glastonbury's five-day duration.
How to Get Glastonbury 2027 Tickets
Registration
Registration for Glastonbury 2027 is essential and typically opens in autumn 2026. Here's what you need to know:
Register at glastonbury.seetickets.com/registration/register
You'll need to provide a photo and contact details
Registration is free
Make sure your photo is current and clearly shows your face
Long-time festival goers should update outdated photos
Ticket Sales
General admission tickets usually go on sale in late October or early November 2026
A resale typically happens in April 2027
Tickets are sold through SeeTickets
2025 tickets cost £378.50 plus a £5 booking fee - expect prices to rise for 2027
Tickets typically sell out in under an hour
Note: General admission tickets do NOT include glamping - this must be booked separately
Booking Glamping for Glastonbury 2027
If you're planning to glamping at Glastonbury 2027, here's what you need to know:
Secure Your Festival Ticket First: You must have a valid festival ticket before booking any glamping accommodation
Book Early: Glamping spots sell out quickly, often within hours of going on sale
Official vs Third-Party: Research whether you're booking through official Glastonbury glamping providers or external companies
Read Reviews: Check previous years' reviews to ensure quality
Understand What's Included: Packages vary significantly - know exactly what you're paying for
Location Matters: Some glamping areas are closer to stages than others
Top Tips for Success
Team up with friends to increase your chances of getting tickets
Use only one device per person during the sale
Avoid unofficial sellers at all costs
Be ready the moment sales open
Check your registration details are up to date well in advance
Research glamping options before ticket sales so you're ready to book quickly
Glastonbury 2025: What We Learned
The 2025 festival proved why Glastonbury remains the UK's premier music event, featuring:
Headliners:
The 1975 (Friday)
Neil Young (Saturday)
Olivia Rodrigo (Sunday)
Rod Stewart in the legendary "legend slot"
Memorable Moments:
Lewis Capaldi's emotional comeback with a surprise set
Pulp's secret set revealed as the mysterious "Patchwork"
Olivia Rodrigo performing a duet with The Cure's Robert Smith
Lorde performing her new album 'Virgin' in full at a secret Woodsies set
Peter Capaldi joining Franz Ferdinand for 'Take Me Out'
By the Numbers:
Over 200,000 festival-goers
120 stages
Nearly 3,972 artists performing
1.2 million pints of beer consumed
Emily Eavis also revealed that organizers had been "trying to make as much space as possible" by selling "a few thousand less tickets" for 2025, showing their continued commitment to improving the festival experience. This reduction in capacity may also positively impact the glamping and camping experience, with less crowding in accommodation areas.
The Benefits of a Fallow Year
While fans will miss their annual pilgrimage to Worthy Farm, the fallow year brings several advantages:
Better Planning: The festival team can use the time to undertake repair work, improve infrastructure including camping and glamping facilities, and renew contracts
Enhanced Experience: The break allows organizers to plan improvements for 2027, potentially including upgraded accommodation options
Administrative Tasks: Staff can focus on behind-the-scenes work without the pressure of an imminent festival
Mental Health Break: It gives the entire team, volunteers, and community a chance to rest and recharge
Accommodation Evolution: Glamping providers and campervan services can use the year to innovate and improve their offerings
As Emily Eavis noted: "It's important because it just gives everybody a little time to just switch off."
What to Do Instead: UK Festival Alternatives in 2026
While there's no Glastonbury in 2026, the UK has an incredible array of music festivals to explore, many with excellent glamping options:
Isle of Wight Festival: Offers extensive glamping packages and a legendary lineup each year.
Latitude Festival: Known for its family-friendly atmosphere and quality glamping accommodations.
Wilderness Festival: Combines music with outdoor activities and premium glamping experiences.
Green Man Festival: Set in the Brecon Beacons with boutique camping and glamping options.
Bestival: Famous for its creative theme and diverse accommodation including luxury glamping.
Reading & Leeds: Rock-focused festivals with campervan and glamping areas.
Many of these festivals have learned from Glastonbury's success and now offer comprehensive glamping options, from basic pre-pitched tents to luxury lodges with private facilities. This makes 2026 the perfect year to explore alternative festival glamping experiences while Glastonbury takes its rest.
Planning Your Glastonbury 2027 Glamping Experience Now
Even though the festival is still over a year away, smart festival-goers are already planning their Glastonbury 2027 glamping strategy:
Start Researching Providers: Look at different glamping companies that service Glastonbury and compare their offerings, locations, and prices.
Set Your Budget: Glamping packages can range from £500 to several thousand pounds depending on luxury level. Knowing your budget helps narrow options.
Form Your Group: Many glamping options are better value when split between groups. Start organizing your festival crew now.
Sign Up for Alerts: Join mailing lists for your preferred glamping providers so you're notified the moment bookings open.
Consider Alternatives: Research nearby off-site glamping options if on-site packages are too expensive or sell out.
Learn from 2025: Watch videos and read reviews from Glastonbury 2025 to understand what glamping areas and providers performed best.
Glastonbury Festival Facts
Glastonbury is the largest greenfield music festival in the world
It was originally organized by Michael Eavis in 1970
The festival features diverse genres including rock, pop, hip-hop, dance, folk, jazz, and world music
Beyond music, there's theatre, circus, cabaret, comedy, and poetry
Coldplay holds the record for most Pyramid Stage headline appearances with five (2002, 2005, 2011, 2016, and 2024)
The Cure follows with four headline slots
Accommodation ranges from traditional camping to luxury glamping, with options to suit every budget and comfort level
The Bottom Line: Why No Glastonbury 2026?
Glastonbury 2026 won't happen because the festival follows a longstanding tradition of taking a break every five years. This fallow year is essential for environmental sustainability, maintaining the working farm, supporting the local community, and ensuring Glastonbury can continue for generations to come.
While this means no Glastonbury glamping in 2026, it gives festival-goers time to save up for a premium experience in 2027, explore glamping at alternative UK festivals, and plan the ultimate Glastonbury accommodation strategy.
Mark your calendars for June 23-27, 2027, when Worthy Farm will once again become the epicentre of the UK music scene. Whether you're planning to rough it in a basic tent or indulge in luxury glamping, start preparing now. Until then, the land rests, the cows graze, and anticipation builds for what promises to be an incredible return.