With thousands expected to hit the roads and fields across the country this weekend, the UK’s largest motoring organisation is reminding festival-goers that preparation and awareness are key to a stress-free experience.
Whether you're heading to Reading & Leeds, Creamfields, Carfest, Manchester Pride, or a local independent gathering, The AA advises festival-goers to plan their journey in advance and to check for traffic updates. It's important to avoid driving tired – make sure to rest before setting off and take breaks during long trips. If alcohol is involved, designate a driver or arrange alternative transport. To stay comfortable and connected, pack essentials like water, snacks, and a phone charger.
What Gets Lost
Even with the best intentions, some items simply go missing. Among the items respondents thought would be most frequently lost are; car keys (75%), friends (51%), jewellery (40%), ID (32%), and bags (30%).
What Gets Left Behind
According to a recent AA survey, festival fields are a hotspot for lost and forgotten items. The top items most likely to be left behind include tents (78%), camping chairs (58%), reusable water bottles (56%), footwear (34%), and house keys (27%).
Keep track of valuables
Unfortunately, theft remains a concern. The survey revealed that the most commonly stolen items are mobile phones (50%), wallets and purses (59%), bank cards (51%), tablet computers (59%), and alcohol (24%).
AA Advice: Festival Packing Checklist
Label your gear with your name and contact information, use secure bags, and keep valuables on you or in a locked car. Take photos of important items like ID and tickets, and stick with your group while agreeing on meeting points. The what3words app is useful for easily locating your friends, tent, and meeting points.
To help festival-goers avoid mishaps, The AA recommends downloading the AA app, which allows you to set your route, report a breakdown, and find the cheapest fuel in your area and along your route.
“Consider filling up locally before heading to your chosen event, although the AA App can find the cheaper fuel stations along your route. On average, UK pump prices have come to rest at slightly above 135p a litre for petrol and slightly below 143p a litre for diesel. However, they may be considerably more expensive if purchased en route. In late May into June, petrol and diesel set a low by averaging respectively 132p and 138p a litre. This time last year, petrol was falling rapidly from an average of 143p to 142p a litre, while diesel was tumbling from 148p”, says Luke Bosdet, AA spokesman on pump prices.
Kieren Shadick, from AA Key Assist, said: "Every year, AA Key Assist support thousands of drivers who have lost their keys at a summer event. Festivals should be about fun, music, and memories – not lost keys, phones or frantic searches for your tent. By keeping track of your belongings, you can make the most of what should be a fantastic experience, remembered for the right reasons.”
Tony Rich, AA head of road safety, said: “Summer festivals are a fantastic way to relax, enjoy great music and spend time with our friends and family. Preparing for your journey to and from your chosen festival can really help you to make the most of it. Knowing that your route, your tyres, oil, coolant and fuel or EV charge levels have all been checked can leave you to concentrate on the good stuff, like having a great time.
“If the worst should happen, follow the safety advice given and wait in a safe location. We have extra patrols on standby to support our members across what promises to be a busy weekend. Reporting a breakdown using the AA app is twice as fast and will allow you to track your patrol.”
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