Festival season’s here, and I’ll be heading to Love Herder, Glastonbury and Kendal Calling this year, hangover free and loving it.

Last year I did Glasto and Kendal Calling solo and sober, and I can still remember how I felt in each moment....clear-headed, present, and weirdly euphoric without needing anything extra.

I think it’s OK to acknowledge that drinking at festivals can be fun, and I did have a good time doing them that way. It’s not about doing it better than anyone else, it’s just a different kind of experience, and for where I’m at right now, it’s the one that works.

There’s something so gorgeous about waking up early at a festival. Brewing a cuppa, watching the site slowly come to life, knowing you're going to feel amazing again. You walk the grounds as the sun rises, spotting things you’d never have noticed before, random bits of art, the sound of people coming to life, someone asleep in the most uncomfortable-looking position.

Although for a minute you might experience FOMO, I promise you, it passes. And the feeling of being fully present and trying this a new way feels exciting.

You still meet people, still dance, still laugh till your face hurts. You’re just fully there for it. And when that one song drops, the one you love , the hair on your arms stands up, and you’ll remember exactly how you felt in that moment, forever.

A Few Tips for Doing It Hangover Free

✨ Plan… but leave space for the magic
Roughly plan what you want to see each day, but don’t cling to the schedule. Some of the best moments happen when you go off route, secret sets, weird pop-ups, someone handing you freebies. You’ll be surprised how many brands give stuff away, I never noticed that before.

🧃 Still pack a stash
Bring your favourite alcohol-free drinks. Just in case the bars don’t have much, having a few cans you love helps you feel included, gives you that placebo moment and saves you cash. You get to drink what you like.

🌄 Enjoy the sunrise (on purpose)
Waking up to see the sunrise is a completely different vibe to still being up from the night before. Both may have their place, but if you’re in your hangover-free era, this version is calm, clear and peaceful, and yes, you’ll feel smug in the best way.

🧍♀️ Bring a buddy who gets it
Having someone with you who understands why you’re not binge drinking makes a huge difference. An ally who won’t pressure you or make it a thing. Just someone who’s up for dancing, snacking, wandering and doing it your way.

⏰ Leave when you want
No medals are handed out for staying up the latest. You don’t need to wait for anyone else. If you want to head back to your van or tent, go for it. One of the best parts of doing it this way is having full say in how you spend your time.

💬 Take lots of E numbers (not the illegal kind)
I always bring sweets — it genuinely helps keep my energy up.
There’ll be high-energy moments and slower ones. It’s different from that constant buzz you get when you’re drinking, so if you hit a dip, that’s normal. Go for a wander, grab a brew, take a breather, then come back ready to dive in again.

🏳️ Take a flag
This one’s for my Glasto queens. I can't tell you how much this helped me feel confident last year. I was solo, so had the added nerves, but it gave me something to focus on and something to hold when I felt a little anxious. I’ve already ordered this year’s design 🐸

There are peaks and troughs though. Don’t expect to be at full energy all day like everyone else. When a lower moment comes (which in my experience, it will), just take yourself off for a wander, have a look at the stalls, grab a coffee and five minutes to reset, then come straight back to it.

There’s no right or wrong way to festival, but if you’re curious about doing it without alcohol, just know it’s not boring, it’s not isolating, and it’s definitely not a downgrade. It’s just a fresh way of doing it, one you’ll actually remember. 

See you in the fields ✌️
Stef x