The essential tips for getting a great night’s sleep at a festival

Music lovers are already lining up to get their hands on the hottest festival tickets of 2025. Summer might feel far away, but if you want to enjoy festival season next year, it’s the perfect time to start planning.

It’s estimated that 2.5 million people try to bag one of the 200,000 Glastonbury tickets every year. So, you often need to prepare in autumn, months before the line-up is even announced.

And if you’re hoping to get a great night’s sleep at a festival, it requires a bit of planning too.

Maintaining your sleep schedule while you’re dancing along to your favourite artists or taking in the festival atmosphere might not be the first thing on your mind. Yet, feeling well-rested means you can get through a long weekend without feeling like death warmed up.

As sleep experts at Mattress Online, we’ve got the essential sleep tips you need to really enjoy festival season.

How to get a good night’s sleep in a tent

Camping at a festival can be a budget-friendly way to be close to all the action. But a tent isn’t often associated with a good night’s sleep. Luckily, there are some tricks you can use to catch up on your sleep when you’re staying in a tent.

Be strategic about where you pitch your tent

Don’t pitch your tent in the first open space you find. Instead, think about it strategically. Flat, dry ground gives you a much better foundation to put your tent. If you’re lucky enough to be at a festival when great weather is forecast, searching for a shady spot could help keep the tent cool and promote better quality sleep too.

You might also want to think about whether you want to be away from the hustle and bustle – it may be fun to be surrounded by other lively festivalgoers at first but it can seriously hamper your shut-eye.

Don’t let light and sound hinder your shut-eye

Creating the perfect environment to catch some Zs starts with what you pack – be sure to include high-quality earplugs and a sleep mask to block out light and sound.

Prioritise your comfort

Invest in your bed for the weekend too. Sleeping directly on the ground is often uncomfortable and provides little support for your back and neck. So, purchasing an air mattress, comfy sleeping bag, or even a weighted blanket, could make sure your weekend is free of aches and pains.

Consider you diet

What you eat has a huge impact on the quality of your sleep. When you’re on the go at a festival, it might be easier to grab a greasy snack. Where you can, prioritising eating balanced, high-protein snacks and meals can make a real difference.

Don’t forget to stay hydrated either – electrolyte tablets can be handy when you’re moving between stages.

Getting to sleep starts before you get into bed

When you’re at home, you might have a routine that helps you unwind before going to bed. Recreating the routine as much as you can while you’re at a festival could make drifting off that bit easier.

Toiletries and personal items

You might need to cut back your evening routine when you’re away, but if you usually have a skincare routine or use other personal hygiene items before bed, packing some of them can help you maintain some of your habits.

Try lying out everything you need before you head off for the day – that way when you make your way back to your tent in the evening, everything is ready.

A calming, hydrating drink

After a day out and about, you might be dehydrated, especially if you’ve had alcohol, which can hamper getting to sleep. So, before bed, have a hydrating with electrolytes. Magnesium could also be your friend and aid you in getting to sleep quickly.

Items for a comfortable environment

Set up your sleeping space to be comfy and ready for you to fall into when you return. If you’re abroad, you might want to set up mosquito nets, or set up a fan to keep the room cool enough for quality sleep.

Everything you need to start your morning right

Give yourself more time in bed in the morning and save yourself from having to rush around in the morning, by preparing before you hit the sack. You might want to prepare your outfit and other items, or set out breakfast. Knowing that you’re organised could ease anxiety to you’re able to drift off quickly.

Sources:

• https://www.radiox.co.uk/festivals/glastonbury/how-to-get-glastonbury-tickets-best-tips-tricks/