Large outdoor events are some of the best experiences you can have, but with big crowds, unfamiliar surroundings, and variable weather, a bit of preparation goes a long way. Most people attend events without any problems at all, but knowing what to do if something goes wrong can make a genuine difference.
This guide covers the practical safety steps that every event-goer should know.
Before you go
Tell someone your plans
Let a friend or family member who is not attending know where you are going, roughly when you expect to be there, and when you plan to be home. Share the event location and your phone number. This sounds basic, but if something unexpected happens, someone knowing your whereabouts matters.
Check the event information
Read the event website or confirmation email thoroughly. Look for information on prohibited items, entry procedures, bag policies, and any specific safety guidance. Many large events have dedicated safety pages with maps showing medical tents, emergency exits, and meeting points.
Charge your phone fully
Your phone is your lifeline at a large event. Charge it to 100% before you leave, and consider bringing a portable power bank. Save the event organiser's emergency number in your contacts. If the event has an app, download it beforehand as it often includes live updates and maps.
Plan your exit
Know how you are getting home before you arrive. Whether it is driving, public transport, or a pre-booked taxi, have the details confirmed. Trying to sort transport at midnight when 50,000 other people are leaving at the same time is stressful and can leave you stranded.
Crowd awareness
Crowds at large events move in ways that individuals cannot always control. Understanding this helps you stay safe.
Know the warning signs
A crowd crush happens when density reaches a point where individuals can no longer move freely. The warning signs include:
- Feeling unable to move your arms or lift them above your waist
- Being involuntarily moved by the crowd around you
- Difficulty breathing or expanding your chest fully
- A sensation of rising pressure from all sides
- People around you looking distressed or calling for help
If you experience any of these, try to move diagonally towards the edge of the crowd rather than pushing directly forwards or backwards. Move with the flow, not against it. If you fall, try to get up immediately. If you cannot stand, curl into a protective position with your arms over your head and chest.
Positioning yourself
At large outdoor stages, the densest and most pressurised area is typically dead centre, about 10 to 20 metres from the barrier. If you want a calmer experience, position yourself towards the sides or further back. The sound and view are often better from slightly further back anyway.
Identify the nearest exit or clear path out of the crowd when you arrive at any stage or area. Having a mental escape route gives you options if conditions become uncomfortable.
Personal security
Valuables
Pickpocketing can occur at any large gathering. Reduce your risk with some simple steps:
- Carry only what you need: phone, ID, bank card, and a small amount of cash.
- Use a zipped pocket, crossbody bag, or a purpose-built festival pouch that sits under your clothing.
- Never leave bags unattended, even briefly.
- Be aware of your surroundings, particularly in crowded walkways, at bars, and near toilets where people cluster.
- If using contactless payment on your phone, make sure you have a PIN or biometric lock enabled.
Drinks
Drink spiking is a real concern at any event. Protect yourself by buying your own drinks, keeping your drink in your hand or in sight at all times, and never accepting a drink from someone you do not know unless you watched it being poured or opened. If your drink tastes odd, do not finish it. If you suddenly feel much more intoxicated than you should, seek help from event staff, security, or a medical tent immediately.
Weather preparedness
British weather can change rapidly, and outdoor events offer limited shelter. Being caught out by weather is one of the most common reasons people have a bad experience at outdoor events.
- Rain -- A lightweight waterproof jacket is essential. Ponchos are cheap and pack small. If the ground is likely to be muddy, wellies or waterproof boots prevent misery.
- Heat -- Suncream (minimum factor 30), a hat, sunglasses, and regular water intake. Heat exhaustion can sneak up on you, especially if you are standing still in direct sun for hours. Seek shade during the hottest part of the day if possible.
- Cold -- Evening temperatures in the UK drop surprisingly fast, even in summer. A warm layer for the journey home, even if you do not need it during the day, is always worth packing.
Medical help
Every licensed large event in the UK is required to have medical provision on site. This typically includes first aid tents staffed by trained paramedics and first aiders. Their services are free and confidential.
If you or someone near you needs medical attention, look for medical staff wearing high-visibility clothing, ask any event steward for directions to the medical tent, or call the event emergency number. Do not try to be a hero. If someone is seriously unwell, get professional help rather than trying to manage the situation yourself.
For a detailed look at what to do if you or someone else feels unwell, read our guide to feeling unwell at events.
Meeting points and communication
Phone signal at large events is notoriously unreliable. Tens of thousands of people on the same network masts can slow data and calls to a crawl. Plan for this:
- Agree a physical meeting point with your group before you enter the event. Choose something distinctive and easy to find, like a specific food stall or landmark.
- Set check-in times rather than relying on being able to text whenever you want.
- If you get separated and cannot make contact, go to the agreed meeting point and wait.
- Consider using offline messaging apps that work on Bluetooth if signal is truly unavailable.
Know your limits
The most common safety issues at events are not dramatic emergencies. They are dehydration, sunburn, over-consumption of alcohol, exhaustion, and minor injuries from uneven ground. All of these are preventable.
Drink water regularly, even if you do not feel thirsty. Eat proper meals rather than relying on sugary snacks. Pace your alcohol consumption. Take breaks from standing and dancing. Wear appropriate footwear for the terrain.
Looking after yourself is the foundation of event safety. Everything else builds on that.
If something goes wrong
In the unlikely event of a serious incident at an event, follow these principles:
- Listen to instructions from event staff, stewards, security, and emergency services.
- Move calmly towards the nearest exit. Do not run unless you are told to.
- Help those around you if you can do so safely, particularly anyone who has fallen or is struggling.
- Once safe, contact your group and let someone outside the event know you are alright.
- Do not go back into an area that has been evacuated.
Large outdoor events are overwhelmingly safe and well-managed. The vast majority of attendees have a brilliant time with no incidents at all. But a few minutes of preparation and awareness means you are ready for anything, which lets you relax and enjoy the experience fully.
Planning your next outdoor event? Check out our guide to Glastonbury and other major UK festivals for detailed venue-specific advice.
