Pitch a Tent, Pick Up a Shift: The UK’s Festival Side Hustles You Can Land This Summer

Summer in the UK means one thing: festival season. From the muddy madness of Glastonbury to the coastal vibes of Boardmasters, fields across the country are transformed into temporary towns of music, food, and unforgettable memories. But for a growing number of savvy Brits, festivals aren’t just about fun – they’re a prime opportunity to earn money while soaking up the atmosphere.

Whether you’re studying and looking for flexible work, a freelancer wanting a change of scenery, or simply someone keen to try something different, UK festivals offer a surprisingly wide range of side hustle opportunities. Here’s how you can pitch your tent and pick up a shift at some of the country’s biggest events this summer.

Why Festival Gigs Make Great Summer Side Hustles

Festival jobs tick several boxes that make them perfect seasonal gigs. First, they’re short-term – most roles last between a few days and a week. Second, many come with perks like free tickets, meals, and sometimes accommodation. And finally, you get to work in a high-energy environment that doesn’t feel like your average nine-to-five.

Crucially, these jobs don’t usually require prior experience. With the right attitude, you can get hired as a steward, bar worker, litter picker, or even help with setting up stages and infrastructure. It’s this mix of fun, flexibility, and finance that makes festival roles one of the smartest side hustle ideas for summer in the UK.

Stewarding: The Classic Gateway Gig

Steward roles are often the easiest entry point into the festival job landscape. You’ll be helping direct festival goers, managing queues, checking wristbands, or patrolling campsite areas to ensure everyone’s safe.

Companies like Oxfam Festivals, Hotbox Events, or DC Site Services usually manage these positions. They often offer free entry to the festival in return for a set number of hours worked across the event. You may need to attend a short training session in advance and arrive on-site early, but in return, you’ll be part of the crew keeping everything running smoothly.

Behind the Bar: Fast-Paced Work with Summer Perks

Bar jobs at festivals can be intense – think long queues and high energy – but they’re also among the most beneficial in terms of wage. Companies like The Bar People, Peppermint Bars, and Staff Heroes recruit for festivals across the UK, including the Isle of Wight, Reading & Leeds, and Lovebox.

Pay typically ranges from £10-£13 per hour, with some shifts offering tips or bonuses. Expect to work busy periods (often during headline acts), but you’ll usually get scheduled downtime too.

Set-Up and Breakdown Crew: Behind-the-Scenes Muscle

If you don’t mind physical work and prefer your shifts before or after the main event, consider roles in set-up or breakdown teams. These crews arrive days before the crowds to build tents, install fencing, or unload gear. After the festival, they help deconstruct the site.

These gigs often pay well, especially if you have specialist skills (e.g., carpentry, rigging, electrics), and sometimes come with longer contracts.

Food Stall Assistant: Feed the Masses

Independent vendors and catering companies always need help during festival weekends – whether it’s flipping burgers, selling ice cream, or managing till points. These jobs often include free meals and occasional tips, and depending on the stall, you might work more sociable hours than bar staff.

Some vendors advertise on Gumtree or local job boards, but others tend to recruit directly through their websites or social media. A friendly attitude and willingness to work hard are usually more important than formal qualifications.

Litter and Recycling Teams: The Unsung Heroes

They might not be glamorous roles, but litter pickers and recycling crews are essential to any successful festival. Many festivals pride themselves on their environmental credentials and need large teams to keep sites clean during and after events.

Companies like Greenbox Events and Eco Warriors hire for these roles. You’ll often get a free ticket and can work part-time shifts while still seeing plenty of the event. If you don’t mind donning a high-vis vest, this can be one of the easiest ways to get involved.

Bonus: Go Freelance – Create Your Own Festival Gig

If you’ve got a skill – photography, social media, face painting, hair braiding, even tarot card reading – you might be able to turn it into a micro-business at festivals. Some smaller, independent festivals have markets or “healing fields” where traders and creatives can apply to rent a pitch. Others look for content creators to document the event in real time.

While this requires a bit more planning and often some upfront costs, it can be a rewarding and memorable way to turn a passion into a side hustle.

Work the Field (Literally)

As the UK continues to embrace side gig culture, festivals are proving to be more than just entertainment hotspots – they’re becoming economic ecosystems where short-term work, social connection, and summer adventure collide.

Whether you’re up for a physically demanding role behind the scenes or a front-facing shift on the bar, there’s a festival side hustle to suit most lifestyles and levels of experience. And the best part? These roles offer more than just a paycheck. They provide an opportunity for personal growth, skill development, and a chance to be part of something bigger. If you’re browsing for smart side hustle ideas that make the most of the British summer, a festival field might be the place to start.