Festival season is one of the highlights of the summer calendar. Whether you're heading to a music festival, cultural event or weekend camping experience, it's a chance to enjoy live entertainment, spend time with friends and make lasting memories.

While there’s no Glastonbury this year, there’s plenty of other huge weekends on the horizon, with tens of thousands packing their tent, and often a large amount of alcohol, and heading to the field of their choice to forget about the real world.

However, it is something that we need to be careful with, particularly when it comes to alcohol and drugs. While many people attend purely for the music and atmosphere, it's important to understand the potential risks and take sensible steps to protect yourself and those around you, especially with the likes of alcohol addiction and cocaine abuse rife at present. The last thing you want to do is end up on a slippery slope to drug addiction treatment! 

Here’s some guidance on how to best approach festival season and the substances that feel like commonplace…

Plan Before You Arrive

A successful festival starts with good preparation. Before setting off, familiarise yourself with the event's rules, facilities and emergency procedures.

Agree on a meeting point with your group in case you become separated, ensure your phone is fully charged and consider carrying a portable charger. It's also helpful to have emergency contact details written down in case your phone battery runs out.

If you're attending with friends, talk beforehand about looking out for one another. A simple agreement to stay in touch and check in regularly can make a significant difference if someone becomes unwell or lost.

Drink Responsibly and Stay Hydrated

If you choose to drink alcohol, moderation is key.

Festivals often involve long days outdoors, high temperatures and plenty of walking or dancing. Alcohol contributes to dehydration, which can be made worse by hot weather and physical activity.

Alternating alcoholic drinks with water or soft drinks can help you stay hydrated, while eating regular meals provides energy throughout the day. Avoid drinking on an empty stomach, as this can increase the effects of alcohol more quickly.

If you're choosing not to drink, remember that you don't need alcohol to enjoy the atmosphere. Many festivals now offer alcohol-free beers, mocktails and a wider range of soft drinks than ever before.

Be Aware of the Risks of Drugs

Illegal drugs are unpredictable, and there is no way to guarantee what they contain or how they may affect an individual. Different substances can produce unexpected reactions, and even drugs sold as something familiar may contain dangerous or unknown ingredients.

Mixing drugs with alcohol can further increase the risks, affecting judgement, coordination and physical health.

It's also important to remember that possession and use of illegal drugs can carry serious legal consequences, depending on the event and local laws.

Choosing not to use drugs remains the safest option.

Look Out for Your Friends

One of the most important aspects of festival safety is looking after the people you're with.

Keep an eye on one another throughout the day, particularly if someone has been drinking alcohol. If a friend appears unusually confused, extremely drowsy, becomes aggressive or seems seriously unwell, don't dismiss it as simply "having too much fun".

Move them somewhere safe, encourage them to drink water if appropriate and seek help from the festival's medical team if you're concerned. Medical staff are there to help and would much rather assess someone early than respond to a more serious emergency later.

Never leave someone who is unconscious or struggling to breathe on their own.

Respect Personal Boundaries

Festivals should be welcoming, enjoyable spaces for everyone.

Alcohol and drugs can sometimes affect behaviour and impair judgement, making it even more important to respect personal boundaries and obtain clear consent in all interactions.

Looking after your belongings, staying aware of your surroundings and trusting your instincts can also help you stay safe. If a situation feels uncomfortable, remove yourself from it and seek assistance from security staff or event stewards if necessary.

Remember that it's perfectly acceptable to leave an area or head back to your accommodation if you're no longer enjoying the environment.

Make the Most of the Experience

It's easy to focus on the parties, but festivals offer so much more than alcohol.

From discovering new artists and enjoying street food to taking part in workshops, comedy shows and wellness activities, there's plenty to experience throughout the day. Many festivals now include yoga sessions, creative spaces, family-friendly entertainment and quiet wellbeing areas where people can take a break from the crowds.

Focusing on these experiences can help create lasting memories that have nothing to do with drinking.

Enjoy Festival Season Safely

Festivals are about music, community and shared experiences. While alcohol may be part of the occasion for some people, it doesn't have to define the event.

By planning ahead, staying hydrated, making informed choices and looking out for your friends, you can reduce risks and make the most of everything the festival has to offer.

The best festival memories often come from the performances you watched, the people you met and the moments you shared—not how much you drank. A little preparation and common sense can go a long way towards ensuring your summer festival is remembered for all the right reasons.