For those who found themselves on the losing end of the Glastonbury ticket scramble last November, hope is not entirely lost. Next week, there are two more opportunities to secure a coveted spot at the iconic music festival through official resales. Set your reminders! On Thursday, April 24, at 6 pm, tickets that include coach travel will be available for purchase. Following this, on Sunday, April 27, starting at 9 am, general admission tickets will also be up for grabs.

These resold tickets come from individuals who can no longer attend the festival or who failed to complete their payment obligations. However, potential buyers should be forewarned: the number of available tickets is described as very limited, meaning that a majority of Glastonbury enthusiasts may leave empty-handed once again.

But dont let disappointment get you down if you miss out again! The festival scene is brimming with alternatives that cater to a wide array of tastes and budgets. Whether you're interested in a one-day event in London that can run as high as 380 per ticketequating to nearly 45 per houror you prefer one of the numerous free or low-cost events featuring excellent lineups, there are options for everyone.

Festival Price Hikes

Observing ticket prices over the years reveals a striking trend. In 2019, just prior to the pandemic disruptions, general admission tickets for Glastonbury were priced at 248 each. Fast forward to this year, and that figure has surged to 373.50, reflecting a staggering increase of 50.6% over six years. Comparatively, this rise is nearly double the average increase of about 25% in the cost of goods and services in the UK.

Interestingly, its worth noting that Glastonbury could potentially charge even more while still achieving sell-out status, indicating the high demand for this legendary event. Attendees this year can also expect enhanced offerings compared to previous iterations of the festival.

Notably, the ticket price for the Latitude festival in Suffolk has seen an even steeper climb. Featuring headliners like Sting, Fatboy Slim, and Snow Patrol, ticket prices for an adult weekend pass have risen by 52%. In 2019, an adult ticket cost 202.50. This year, that figure has jumped to 308.

Furthermore, the Isle of Wight festival has experienced an almost 66% rise in ticket costs, with adult weekend tickets increasing from 175 in 2019 to an eye-watering 289.95 for non-residents this year.

It is crucial to remember that these prices represent face value; additional fees and charges may apply. For instance, Glastonbury imposes a 5 booking fee per ticket along with a 10.25 postage and packing cost per order.

Combine Festival Fun with a Holiday

If youre still eager for a festival experience but miss out on Glastonbury, Europe offers numerous options, often with stellar lineups at significantly lower prices. For example, a three-day ticket to the NOS Alive festival in Lisbon, Portugal, occurring from July 10-12, is priced at just 199 (171), featuring popular acts such as Kings of Leon, Sam Fender, and Olivia Rodrigo.

While the Primavera Sound festival in Barcelona (running from June 4-8) is already sold out, tickets for its Porto counterpart from June 12-15 remain available. This festival boasts an impressive lineup including Charli XCX, Central Cee, and Haim. Standard four-day tickets are priced at 180, but with a 10% discount for Revolut users, festivalgoers can snag tickets for only 162.

Another exciting option is the Opener festival in Gdynia, Poland, scheduled for July 2-5, featuring performances by Raye, Massive Attack, and Linkin Park. A four-day ticket is priced at 1,359 Polish zoty (272) with camping or 1,089 zoty without.

Its wise to keep in mind that while traveling to these overseas festivals may seem cost-effective, expenses can add up when factoring in travel and lodging. For instance, return flights from London to Gdansk, Poland, near Gdynia, start at just under 99 per person with Wizz Air for travel between July 1 and July 6.

However, not all international festivals come with a lower price tag; for instance, a three-day general admission pass for Coachella in California, known for its star-studded lineup including Lady Gaga, was priced at $649 (490) this year, with passes for the next weekend starting at $599.

Volunteer Opportunities

For those looking to attend a festival without the hefty price tag, consider volunteering. Organizers often depend on a dedicated group of volunteers to manage various tasksranging from parking stewarding to bar workin exchange for free entry. Starting points for volunteering include recruitment agencies specializing in festival staffing or charities such as Oxfam and CND that often seek helpers.

Festaff, a notable agency, provides a plethora of volunteering opportunities at numerous festivals, including Glastonbury and Boomtown. While they were no longer accepting applications for some festivals at the time of writing, they were still looking for volunteers for events like Kendal Calling in the Lake District and Neil Youngs performance at BST Hyde Park.

Potential volunteers might be required to pay a small admin fee or a refundable depositfor example, Festaff charges 10 to 15, while volunteers at Glastonbury typically must submit a 375 deposit, returned minus a 15 fee upon satisfactory completion of work.

Luxury Experiences

Interestingly, despite financial constraints affecting many, theres still a segment of music fans willing to spend lavishly on high-end festival experiences. The Soho House festival, hosted in Gunnersbury Park, London, on July 3, has tickets priced up to 380 each for just an afternoon and evening's entertainment, marking a nearly 17% increase from 325 two years prior. While the lineup for this event is yet to be disclosed, the ticket price covers unlimited food and drinks.

If youre attending Glastonbury and seeking a truly unique experience, consider the Pop-Up Hotel, which offers a variety of luxury accommodations including the extravagant Tipi Tenthouse Suite, which costs 28,999 for six guests.

Affordable Festival Options in the UK

For those on a tighter budget, several notable UK festivals offer affordable options. For example, Festival Too is a free, unticketed event held in Kings Lynn, Norfolk, across three weekends: June 28-29, July 4-5, and July 11-12. Ocean Colour Scene and Sigala were among last years performers.

The Godiva Festival, taking place in War Memorial Park, Coventry, from July 4-6, offers adult day tickets starting at just 10, with acts including Marc Almond, Clean Bandit, Ocean Colour Scene, and Heather Small slated to perform.