Festivals No Glastonbury ticket? Don't get down - you can still party

Price hikes aside, there are stacks of events out there to suit all tastes and budgets,

- Rupert Jones and Mabel Banfield-Nwachi

Those who missed out in the Glastonbury tickets scrum last November have two more chances to strike it lucky next week when the official resales take place. On Thursday, at 6pm, tickets with coach travel will go on sale, while from 9am on Sunday 27 April general admission tickets are up for grabs. These are tickets bought by people who can no longer attend or who were unable to pay what they owed, though with only a "very limited" number available, most Glastonbury fans are going to be disappointed.

But if you come away empty-handed (again), don't be downcast. There are stacks of other festivals to suit all tastes and budgets, ranging from the one-dayer in London where tickets cost up to £380 each to free and low-cost events that are promising some decent acts.

Festival price hikes

In 2019, before the pandemic caused chaos, Glastonbury's general admission tickets cost £248 each. This year they are £373.50. That is a 50.6% rise in six years - roughly double the headline, 25%-ish, increase in the cost of goods and services in the UK.

For Latitude festival in Suffolk, where headliners this year include Sting, Fatboy Slim and Snow Patrol, the increase in ticket price is even greater: 52%. An adult weekend ticket was £202.50 in 2019 - this year it's £308.

Meanwhile, the cost of an adult weekend ticket for the Isle of Wight festival has soared by almost 66% over the period - from £175 in 2019 to £289.95 for non-islanders.

These are all face value costs - there may be fees and charges on top. For example, with Glastonbury there is a £5 booking fee for each ticket, plus postage and packing at £10.25 an order.

Make a holiday of it