Burning Man is a commitment, of time (a week-plus), of planning (camping gear, costumes, food, etc.), of cash (tickets start at $575 each, not including taxes and fees) and of your very body (to the elements: wind, dust, heat and cold of the barren, remote, northern Nevada desert affectionately dubbed 'the playa').
But Burners (as they call themselves) will tell you that the commitment is returned manyfold once you arrive at Black Rock City, Nevada the temporary metropolis that houses 70,000 souls each year around Labor Day. Because, as they say, the playa provides.
The storied festival returns this year after two long years dark due to the pandemic. This year's theme is Waking Dreams. Read on to find out exactly what you’ll find on the playa.
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A tall sailing ship coasts the playa at sunset © BLM Photo / Alamy

What does Burning Man's playa provide?
A culture of gifting
There are two refrains heard over and over at Burning Man, even if they’re sort of paradoxical: 'radical self-reliance' and 'the playa provides'. Radical self-reliance is an essential principle of the festival: bring everything you need and leave nothing behind. The concept of the playa providing is a key part of the culture. No money changes hands at Burning Man (with two exceptions: you can buy ice and coffee). So, pretty much anything you need or want might suddenly, randomly, magically appear, just when you think of it. Whether that need is physical, spiritual or psychological; the playa has your back. Non-Burners often refer to this as a barter system, but that’s not right. Rather, the culture is one of gifting.
Pro-tip: Think of something you’ll want to gift and bring a lot of it. Hand-sanitizer? Pop-tarts? The choices are endless and you’ll want to participate in the culture of gifting too.
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Musicians and DJs find all kinds of ways to share their music with the crowds, including on rolling music cars © Photoshot / Getty Images

Music
Whether it's right up close or from a megablaster a mile away, the techno-thump of 'boom, ba-la-la-la-la-la, boom, ba-la-la-la-la-la' is so omnipresent that silence, when it happens, can feel odd. Whether your style is intimate parties or giant makeshift clubs for thousands, Burning Man has you covered.
With all that music, dancing is also a huge thing. Some Burners spend day, night and the hours in between grooving to bands like Daft Punk and world-famous DJs from Diplo to London's Carl Cox spinning at makeshift, indoor-outdoor dance clubs (these artists all appeared at Burning Man 2018).
Or you might prefer your music played by lesser-known DJs on roaming ‘art cars’ styled after anything from a pirate ship to a giant sheep, cruising the playa floor like ocean liners of the desert, giving rhythm for free.
Pro-Tip: Bring earplugs if you want to attempt to sleep soundly.
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Art spans the vast playa, bring a bike to better see it all © Jim Rankin / Getty Images

Art
With some 410 art official art installations and many more unofficial ones, there’s something to see around virtually any corner of the festival. Makers are eclectic, spanning world-leading artists and architects to first-timers, and tend to follow a theme of the week. The Burning Man 2022 art theme will be Walking Dreams.
The festival's most iconic art piece is the namesake man. At the geographic center of Black Rock City, it’s a multistory wooden effigy atop a base decorated differently for each year’s festival theme. Toward the end of the festival, the man and base are set afire in a giant, convulsive blaze, encircled by fire dancers, art cars and virtually the entire population of Black Rock City.
Pro-Tip: Bring a bike to see all the art and enjoy all the music – the playa is vast.

Wander through the camp prepared to give and receive on the playa © Photoshot / Getty Images

Food
So, it was about 6:30 in the morning, and I was as far as I could be from my camp, on the vast open stretch Burners call Deep Playa. As I cruised along, a woman in a B-52s-style mini-dress sidled over and asked 'Hey, ya want an omelet?'
I did not know I wanted an omelet at that moment, but as Mick Jagger sang, sometimes you get what you need.
This kind of thing happens all the time here. The spirit of gifting might appear in crêpes or ramen or pickles (for that all-important salt ration in the desert heat).
Pro-Tip: When rationing your own non-perishable food for the week, be sure to remove excess packaging and prepare what you can ahead of time so you can just re-heat. You want as little trash as possible in the desert because what you bring in you must take out.

You never know what you'll find at Burning Man, craft cocktails perhaps or canon fire, its best to be prepared with your own cup always © Jim Rankin / Getty Images

Drink
For booze, the playa's got you covered. Many camps open bars as their gift to the community. Some are every bit as hoity-toity as bars back home, where bartenders blow-torch bacon for Bloody Marys. I came across one camp dispensing fresh-squeezed lemonade served both boozy and booze-free, while another had both wine tastings and a Moroccan mint tea ceremony.
At most others there ain’t much choice, so what the playa provides, you take, be it warm champagne, vodka with Gatorade or a shot of Kentucky bourbon with a pickleback (side of pickle juice).
Pro-tip: If you want to receive, bring your own cup (in keeping with Burning Man’s 'leave no trace' ethic) and proof of age. Savvy burners tape copies of their IDs directly on their cups.
And one more about water: There is no running water in the desert. You must bring your own water – lots of it. You will need a minimum of 1 gallon per person/per day just for drinking and you will also want to wash the desert grime from your body occasionally too.
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Some people set up shower stalls for others to use © Jim Rankin / Getty Images

Clothing and personal care
Even if you have brought all the clothing you think you’ll need, there’s always room for more: more color, more sparkle, more sass. Some camps set up clothing exchanges as their gift, where people take what they want, leave what they no longer need, or both.
Want a shower? There’s a camp for that, assuming you don’t mind being naked in front of hundreds of other people (who are also naked, it should be noted). Or you might just find a neighbor dispensing cider vinegar, a really effective antidote to the desert dust that permeates everything, and I do mean everything (see shower, above).
Pro-tip: Bring a bandana or a dust mask and goggles of some kind. The dusty sand gets everywhere and we mean everywhere. And don't forget sunscreen.

Disconnect and lean in to the freedom of Burning Man and the playa will provide © Jim Rankin / Getty Images

Companionship, spirituality and freedom
If you gain nothing else from Burning Man, these tips are the most important. The very ethos of Burning Man is wrapped up in shared experiences, radical acceptance and radical self-reliance.

Be kind. You never know who you might find yourself grooving with on the dance floor, or crying with over the beauty of a sunrise. Chances are the encounters will stick with you forever.
Be ready to let go and respect others doing the same. Besides the Man itself, the festival’s other annual grand fixture is the Temple – a magnificent structure where Burners leave what’s been on their minds. Inside, it’s not uncommon to have the air pierced by the cathartic howl of grief being let go.  The Temple Burn, on the festival’s last night, is hushed and solemn as people’s troubles go up in flames.
Put down your phone. This is possibly the festival's biggest gift: the freedom to detach – even if just for a week – and reinvent yourself in a place that’s utterly free of judgment.

Pro-tip : Embrace the freedom, and you’ll get the point of Burning Man.
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First timer's guide to Burning Man for 2022

The end of summer is coming fast, so it’s time to start planning your last hurrah for 2022.
Whether you want to tackle Utah’s hiking trails or escape to a Caribbean beach, these destinations are easy last-minute Labor Day weekend getaways.
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View of Minneapolis from St Anthony Main © Yang Yang / 500px

Minneapolis, Minnesota
Most come to Minneapolis for its art, parks and diverse food scene; many stay for the Minnesota Nice. This Labor Day weekend count up all the ‘have a nice days’ you receive while experiencing the Midwestern metropolis’ magic.
Peruse the exhibitions at the Walker Art Center, which has a fantastic collection of 20th-century art and photography from around the world. For a slice of real Midwestern Americana, make sure to check out the Minnesota State Fair, which wraps up Labor Day weekend. It’s the largest state fair in the US by attendance.
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New Smyrna Beach, Florida
This low-key beach doesn’t get the press that Daytona or South Beach do, but it packs all the ocean fun of those other strips of sand without the hubbub. Flights into Orlando are cheap, and a proliferation of rental cars that are even cheaper means getting here (it’s an hour drive) is as easy as saying ‘life’s a beach.’
Rent a surfboard at one of the many beachside stands and hit the waves, which are some of the Sunshine State’s best. After, stock up on souvenirs at the shops along Canal Street Historic District.
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The Wasatch Range is loaded with great day hike opportunities © Mike Tittel / Getty Images

Salt Lake City, Utah
By late August and early September, Salt Lake City is winding down from summer and patiently waiting for winter to arrive. The kids are back to school and the skis are still stowed away in attics. That means hotel rooms are discounted and hiking trails are virtually empty.
Swing by Gracie’s to sample the Utah-local microbrews before grabbing dinner at The Copper Onion. Just outside the city, take a hike up into Neff’s Canyon for sweeping views of the Wasatch Mountains and SLC below.
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Seattle, Washington
Seattle shines during the summer when the chance of rain is low and the warm weather gets Seattleites outside and on the trails. Labor Day heralds summer’s swan song, but it’s still a great time to visit the Emerald City. The weather has cooled from peak summer highs, and the same goes for tourists: September is generally a quieter time of year.
That means the city highlights like Pike Place Market and the Space Needle have all their Seattle delight without the crowds. Labor Day weekend also sees Bumbershoot, Seattle’s annual music and art festival – and one of the largest in the country.
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The Château Frontenac first opened in 1893 © Posnov / Getty Images

Québec City, Québec
A slice of European cool is just a short trip away in Québec City. North America’s oldest European settlement is packed with an Old World feel, with classic bistros and sidewalk cafes along cobblestone streets. Pick up a croissant and café au lait at Paillard before strolling through Parc de l’Esplanade. Above it all stands the elegant Château Frontenac hotel, the fairytale-like icon of the city.
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Detroit's art deco architecture gives the city a unique appeal © rlassman / Shutterstock

Detroit, Michigan
The fair city of Detroit has suffered its slings and arrows, but it’s emerged a city transformed. Derelict buildings have been turned into distilleries, art galleries and restaurants, while the downtown area has retained a special art deco appeal that has a ring of good times past, with plenty more yet to come.
This Labor Day weekend, two festivals kick off, capturing twin art forms that make this city great: music and design. The first is the Detroit Jazz Festival a free fete of live performances from jazz legends from around the world. The second is the Detroit Month of Design, which will celebrate the city’s legacy of creativity with lectures, special exhibitions and events.
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A woman sitting at the waterfront in Brooklyn © Westend61 / Getty

New York City, New York
Labor Day in the US began in New York City in 1882, when the city’s workers went on strike and took to the streets for a march calling for better working conditions. To get a sense of the history of that period, stop by the Tenement Museum, which recreates two tenement buildings from the 19th century and tells the stories of the immigrants who called the buildings home.
Elsewhere, enjoy the city’s staggering amount of major museums relatively crowd free – our favorite is The Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is celebrating American fashion with an incredible exhibition of men’s and women’s dress dating back to 1805.
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The Bahamas is an easy island escape for Labor Day weekend © Peter Sitterli / 500px

The Bahamas
With consistently warm water, salty ocean breezes and idyllic coastal nooks and crannies across 700 islets and islands, the Bahamas is a charmer year-round. Late August and early September is shoulder season in the Bahamas, meaning fewer visitors.
In a long weekend, you can catch a quick flight Nassau, where you can exclaim ‘shiver me timbers!’ at the Pirates of Nassau museum, catch a jitney (local minibus) for beach-side bar hopping, and take a dip in the crystalline waters at Cable Beach.
September is statistically peak hurricane season, so check that your travel insurance has a policy on cancellations due to extreme weather.
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A sunset bike ride on Folly Beach Pier © KenWiedemann / Getty

Charleston, South Carolina
Come early September, Charleston ’s muggy summer weather has abated, leaving the city’s historic streets prime for walking. Stroll through the historic French Quarter to get a sense of the city’s past, with stops at sites like the Old Slave Mart Museum for a stark look at a place where human beings were sold bought and sold, or the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon to tour a former prison used by the British during the Revolutionary War.
For a brighter side of the city, grab some Instagram-worthy shots of the pastel-colored buildings along Rainbow Row. This Labor Day weekend, the Low Country Jazz Festival takes the stage at the Gaillard Center, the city’s new performance art center.
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Introducing the USA

Best last-minute Labor Day weekend getaways for 2022

It's back, baby! The world's largest arts festival, the Edinburgh Fringe, will return to the cobbled streets of the Scottish capital in 2022 to blow out the candles for its 75th birthday.
Following a Covid-enforced cancellation in 2020 and a slimline open-air edition in 2021, the bells, whistles, costumes and comradery of the Fringe proper will once again turn Auld Reekie into one giant entertainment venue.
In a little over three weeks, Edinburgh will play host to a massive 3171 shows from 58 countries across comedy, theater, dance, cabaret, music and near-enough anything loosely described as art and entertainment. Sounds overwhelming, right? Wait until you hear there's audience participation too…
Here's how to get the best out of Edinburgh Fringe 2022 (without being called up on stage).

Navigating Edinburgh during the Fringe can be hectic, our guide is here to show you the way © Ken Jack - Corbis / Corbis via Getty Images

What is the Edinburgh Fringe Festival?
The Fringe Festival was "established" in 1947 after eight renegade theater troupes gatecrashed the fledgling Edinburgh International Festival having not been asked to perform. Undeterred, they put on their own shows on the “fringes” of the International Festival – hence its name – and vowed to return a year later with more performers.
By 1958 there were enough unofficial performances for the Festival Fringe Society to be created. The event mushroomed, eventually becoming bigger than the Edinburgh International Festival itself, and today you can barely pass a pothole without an ensemble of fire-breathing mime artists popping out with an impromptu musical performance of Hamlet (well, almost).
It’s comedy that steals the spotlight at the Fringe but the 250-or so venues put on everything from circus, cabaret and children’s acts to physical theater, poetry and Polish performance art.
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When does the Edinburgh Fringe 2022 start?
The Fringe runs from August 5-29 (with a few sneaky preview curtain-raisers from Aug 3) and happily coincides with five other summer festivals in the city: Edinburgh Art Festival (July 28 to August 28); Edinburgh International Film Festival (August 5-27); Edinburgh International Festival (August 5-28); The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (August 5-29); and Edinburgh International Book Festival (August 12-20).

The Fringe's smaller venues can be comedy goldmines © Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images

Sounds busy. How many people attend?
They say that Edinburgh doubles in population during August’s festival season, leapfrogging the likes of Liverpool, Sheffield, Bristol, Glasgow and Leicester in terms of size. We think that’s a bit a of an urban myth, but the city does get packed. More than three million tickets were sold in 2019 – when the Fringe was last held in full – including more than 850,000 tickets snaffled by locals. However, festival-goers usually attend more than one show, so the population doesn’t quite double.
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Who’s on the 2022 lineup?
The printed Edinburgh Fringe program is so big that if you unfolded it completely and lay out all the pages next to each other, they would be longer than Hadrian's Wall. Stuffed to the gills from comedic storytellers 1 Ball Show to the absurdist Zach Zucker, its the biggest names from the world of comedy that people hope to see.
Comedians at Edinburgh Fringe 2022 include Scottish offender-in-chief Frankie Boyle, the legendary comic Omid Djalili, Al Murray as the Pub Landlord and Stewart Lee who will perform two different shows this year.
Other rib ticklers in the festival brochure include Reginald D. Hunter, Josie Long, Phil Wang and controversial Scottish wit, Jerry Sadowitz. RuPaul's Drag Race stars Bianca Del Rio and Jinkx Monsoon will also be up on stage. On the more serious side, the fabled English thespian, Sir Ian McKellen, will also put on a performance of Hamlet.
Fetsival-goers can buy the full, printed program from the Fringe Shop at 180 High Street. The Edinburgh Fringe lineup is also available on the official website.
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See as much as you can. Even these guys © Stephen Finn / Shutterstock

What should I see?

German comic Henning Wehn will put on this latest two-hour laugh-a-thon at The Queen's Hall (Aug 4-6; Aug 11-13; Aug 18-20; Aug 25-28);
Former Joke of the Fringe finalist Ivo Graham performs My Future My Clutter at Pleasance Courtyard (Aug 3-28 except Aug 6);
Standup John Robins (Aug 4-7; Aug 10-14; Aug 17-21; Aug 24-28) at Just Up The Stairs and Aug 23 at Just the Spiegeltent;
Writer, comic and poet Tim Key (Aug 3-17 at Pleasance Dome; Aug 18-28 at the Pleasance Courtyard);
The queen of ventriloquism and improv star, Nina Conti, will play the Pleasance Courtyard (Aug 3-28 except Aug 16);
Fast-witted politic funnyman Nish Kumar will appear at the Gordon Aikman Theatre on Assembly George Square (Aug 22-28);
Underbelly on Bristo Square will host Irish comic Jason Byrne as he performs a one-man play as his recently departed father, Paddy (Aug 8-28 except 16 & 22).

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Is there a Fringe app for 2022?
Financial constraints from the pandemic mean there is no Fringe app this year. However, the full Fringe timetable is available online and includes a ‘Nearby Now’ section for those accessing it via the mobile website once in the city.

Resale tickets are usually available 10 minutes before show time at the box office © Ken Jack - Corbis / Corbis via Getty Images

Where are the best venues at the Fringe?
There are a whopping 255 venues at the Fringe – from St Giles Cathedral and 17th-century Greyfriars Kirk to a black Routemaster bus turned theater called the Necrobus. If somewhere has room for a show, the Fringe will usually squeeze in an act.
Most of the action takes place in and around the city center, predominantly George Square, Bristo Square, Cowgate and the Royal Mile, which makes it easy to hotfoot between shows. New venues for 2022 include St Andrew Square and St James Quarter.
The most renowned venue promotors are Assembly, Gilded Balloon, Pleasance and Underbelly. They are seen as the “Big Four” – with Just the Tonic trying to break their monopoly. Each hosts famous acts and TV names alongside up-and-coming artists on their main stages, as well as several branded venues across Edinburgh.
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Assembly
With seven venues across the city, Assembly is where you’ll catch the likes of Frankie Boyle, Fern Brady and – wait for it – Peppa Pig. As well as the Assembly Hall on the Mound, which also pulls together some ace comedy, circus and dance shows, the group has a cool outdoor hangout in George Square.
Underbelly
You’ll know when you’ve reached the Udderbelly venue on George Square – it’s the massive, upside-down, purple cow. Expect to see funny bunnies like Mark Watson, Rhys Nicholson and Troy Hawke. Underbelly also has another 18 venues across Bristo Square, the Meadows and Cowgate.
Gilded Balloon
Andrew Maxwell, Tara Boland and Basil Brush are among the big ticket names put on by Gilded Balloon this year. Their venues include the National Museum of Scotland, Adam House and a whopping nine performance spaces inside Edinburgh University’s Teviot Row House.
Pleasance
With 27 venues to fill, you’d think you’d come across a duff act or two with Pleasance. But yet again they’ve crammed their calendar full of chuckle royalty like Rosie Holt, Nina Conti and the pun-master Tim Vine.
Other Edinburgh Fringe venues worth checking out include:
The Queen's Hall
During the Fringe this former 19th-century chapel on Clerk Street turns into a comedy hot spot. In 2022, Henning Wehn will perform his latest show, It'll All Come Out In The Wash.
C Venues
With 20 spaces across the city – including the masonic Roman Eagle Lodge on the Royal Mile – C Venues host forward-thinking theater, innovative cabaret and plenty of decent comedy.
Greenside
East of the Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, Greenside will take over the historic Riddle's Court in 2022 alongside its usual Nicolson Square and Infirmary Street venues. No line-up as yet, but luminaries like Maggie Smith and Stephen Fry have performed previously.
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Watching street performers on the Royal Mile is a must during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe © georgeclerk / Getty Images

Are there Fringe events along the Royal Mile?
Absolutely. The city’s infamous cobbled runup to Edinburgh Castle springs into life during the Fringe with street performers, circus acts, dancers, buskers, drag, improv comedians, balloonists, marching bands – heck, just about every kind of live act you can imagine – doing their thing in front of thousands of onlookers along the Royal Mile and Mound Precinct. All Fringe street events are free to watch – but as a busking festival, it’s great if you can gift the performers some coin.
What’s the Free Fringe?
The Free Fringe has one of the most extensive programs at the Fringe with than 300 shows for 2022. While the performance rooms may be slightly more ramshackle (think pub backrooms, tunnels, even tents!) the Free Fringe still features some of the best and brightest comics on the circuit – keep an eye out for surprise bigger names as well.
Each show is either “Free & Unticketed” or “Pay What You Can” and performers pocket 100% of the money. Check out the Free Fringe line-up here.
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There’s so much on! How do I pick which Fringe shows to watch?
If you put your back out trying to lift the physical copy of the Edinburgh Fringe Guide, there are plenty of other ways to work out what to see. Twitter is a great way to see what’s hot. Follow your favorite acts and @edfringe or #edfringe for show updates, reviews and recommendations.
It also pays to talk to people: bar staff, those flyering for shows, the mime artists – everyone will have a show to recommend. Box Office staff are the keepers of the keys – cozy up to them for tip-offs on the best shows and under-the-radar, one-off performances.
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When you're worn out from laughing, find one of Edinburgh's chill spaces to take a break © Jane Barlow / PA Images via Getty Images

How do I get Fringe tickets?
You can buy tickets online or straight from the venue box office. All Fringe shows use e-tickets. There is a central fringe office on the Royal Mile that has some cute merch (Fringe-branded umbrella, anyone?) and doubles as an information point and box office for all Fringe shows. You can also buy tickets via the booking line: +44 (0)131 226 0000.
Free shows are typically non-ticketed,  you can just rock up and pop some cash in their bucket at the end. Comics are increasingly providing card readers these days too so you can give a contactless donation, kiboshing your own excuse, tightwad.
There is no obligation to pay for a free show, but, if you can, chuck some cash in (“not tipping can cause erectile dsyfunction”, one Fringe comic told us). Even free shows get busy, especially at weekends, so arrive early to guarantee a seat.
If your show is listed as “Pay What You Want”, you can either count it as a free show and try your luck on the door, or buy a ticket at the box office to guarantee a seat – useful if the show regularly sells out.
“Sold out” boards outside the bigger venues highlight the most popular shows, so book ahead where possible, else check the box office for returns (released about 10 minutes prior to show time).

Guru Dudu Silent Disco on the streets of Edinburgh during the Fringe © Dan Smith Photography / Shutterstock

How much do Fringe tickets cost?
Ticket prices start from nothing and go up to around £35. Most shows cost £7-10.
2-for-1 tickets, voucher codes and the Half Price Hut
Looking to score discounted Edinburgh Fringe tickets? A swift Google will reveal a number of discount codes but there are better ways of snagging a super saving.
The Half Price Hut
Located at the Fringe Box Office, just look for the Black Friday-style catfights, the Half Price Hut has thousands of half price tickets on sale each day.
Preview shows
Shoved right at the start of August, often before the festival starts officially, preview shows can be a good way of getting some money off big-name performers before they really hit their stride.
2-for-1 tickets
Exactly as the name suggests, some performers run buy one, get one free deals. Use the “Special Pricing” filter on the website to see who’s offering these deals.
Group discounts and family tickets
If you’re in a group of 10 or more, you can often get a 10% discount on shows. Confirm via the Box Office before you book. Family tickets (two adults and two children; or one adult and three under 18s) are available too and can shave a little off the ticket price.
Concessions
Students, customers with disabilities, OAPs (65+) and under 18s can all receive money off tickets. ID is required.
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However you travel during the festival, factor extra 'Fringe time' in to arrive on time © Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images

Where should I stay during the Fringe?
If you want to hear the chuckles from your window, stay around the Old Town near Grassmarket. The New Town and Holyrood are both walkable too, else you could make you way out to Leith (a short bus ride away) if you wish to pay a little less.
However, unless you’ve magically gone back to the 1500s during the reign of Mary Queen of Scots to book a room, the chances of you finding a hotel with vacancies during August is slim – unless you’re being bankrolled by the royal family.
By June, around 85% of the accommodation in and around Edinburgh has all been snapped up, but there are some rooms available at the likes of Malmaison (£297 a night) and the Balmoral Hotel (£790 a night). Even the mid-range hotels like the Holiday Inn Express cost around £277 a night. Ouch.
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More affordable lodging options:

Camping: Nab a pre-erected tent at the Royal Highland Centre. Prices start from £27 a night. You can bring your own tent to save some cash.
University housing: Edinburgh University Halls Swot up with a stay in student accommodation – this is where many of the performers will bunk up.
Glasgow: Only an hour by train, Scotland’s second city will have better value options if you don’t mind the journey in.

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Where can I escape the madness?
We’re not going to lie: the Fringe can be full on. For a little peace and quiet, head to The Meadows. This green expanse is one of Edinburgh’s best parks and is an oasis of calm compared to the city center (though there are some shows on the Fringes here too).
If you’ve got the energy, the schlep up to Arthur’s Seat feels like a world away with views right over the city and out to the coast. The Botanical Gardens are another peaceful spot worth checking out and if the weather is warm, you may want to go to the sea at either Leith or Portobello Beach, one of the best stretches of sand near the city.
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Where’s best to eat during the Fringe?
Street food stalls and pop-up bars spring up all over the city during the Fringe with clusters of huts found near the big venues in Bristo Square, George Square Gardens and along Charles Street. The Pleasance Courtyard is one of the best places to grab a drink and soak up the festival atmosphere.
Elsewhere, fill your belly at Mums, a greasy spoon that uses top-notch ingredients or wander out to trendy Timberyard – not far from Ulster Hall – a warehouse restaurant that does excellent fine dining like monkfish with wild sea kale, jersey royals potatoes and horseradish.
Provided you’re not hungover, the White Horse Oyster & Seafood Bar on the Royal Mile sells incredible seafood small plates, including a £2 happy hour on oysters. If you are hungover, we can recommend Ting Thai Caravan, Thai takeout served in what looks like a New York City loft. For something more hearty head to the Mosque Kitchen where you can get a giant portion of fragrant curry for less than a tenner.
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And where should I drink?
For a quiet wine while you digest your intake of culture, Under the Stairs is a hidden bolthole in the city center. Don’t miss stopping by Panda and Sons in New Town either: you enter through the bookcase of a barber shop to reveal a speakeasy selling intriguing cocktails.
If you really want to shake off the Fringe crowds, head down Leith Walk and make a beeline for Joseph Pearce’s for a sloe gin or The Black Fox for craft beer and drool-inducing pizzas. For something more traditional, it’s hard to beat the low-raftered White Hart Inn along Grassmarket or party pub the Beehive Inn.
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Snuggled into Alberta ’s majestic Canadian Rockies, Banff and Lake Louise are among the most exquisitely beautiful places on Earth. It’s also one of the most popular destinations for travelers from around the world, but you can avoid the crowds by visiting in winter – especially near Christmas.

Once Old Man Winter settles in, something magical happens – the land turns into a wintry wonderland, bringing with it a seasonal shift of adventures best enjoyed with snow. Banff National Park is home to three world-class ski resorts, Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt Norquay, but there are plenty of other ways to keep yourself entertained. Cross your fingers for a good northern lights forecast, pack your warmest layers and head to Banff and Lake Louise to see how much frosty fun you can have.

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Sulphur Mountain summit

Perhaps the best way to acquaint yourself with the lay of the land is to summit Banff’s Sulphur Mountain (7486ft / 2281m). Climb the six-mile alpine switchback trail, which begins at the Upper Hot Springs parking lot and emerges at the summit. Or ride the Banff Gondola to the top, which takes less than ten minutes. As you stroll around the rooftop observation deck, you’ll see six snowy mountain ranges and have sweeping views of the Bow Valley and the town of Banff below. Between mid-November and Christmas, you’ll find Santa’s workshop in full swing at the summit of the Banff Gondola.

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Johnston Canyon ice walk

A local outfitter will supply you with ice cleats and hiking poles for the moderate trek to the must-see cerulean blue waterfalls in Johnston Canyon. On the three-mile round trip journey, you’ll be treated to dramatic views of frozen waterfalls and snow-covered trees inside the towering canyon walls. Johnston Canyon is also a popular place for ice climbing, so you may see climbers making their way up the icefalls as you hike along the icy trails and catwalks. If this inspires you to try ice climbing, you’ll find Johnston Canyon has an excellent range of routes from beginner to expert.

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Moraine Lake forest bathing

Don’t worry – this is a fully-clothed activity. Forest bathing originated in Japan and is known there as shinrin-yoku, which means "taking in the atmosphere of the forest." Hire a guide from Forest Fix to lead you through a guided meditation and take a hyper-conscious slow walk in the woods, listen to the birds, smell the trees and breathe in the crisp mountain air. Over the past few years, this form of nature therapy has caught on everywhere, and Moraine Lake’s solitude makes it the perfect location to try it out.

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Cave exploration

Open year-round, the Rat’s Nest Cave near Canmore has more than two miles of tunnels and plenty of geological features to keep it interesting. Once you reach the Grotto, you’ll be more than 180ft underground. Your guide from Canmore Cave Tours will give you a lesson in natural history as you delve into this subterranean safari and worm your way through the Challenge Squeeze. If you’re there between December 20 - 23, wriggle your way to the cave’s Grand Gallery for a holiday concert unlike any other.

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Winter whirlybird

The best way to appreciate the staggering grandeur of the Canadian Rockies is to fly high above them, getting a close look at the snow-capped peaks and marveling at the dazzling turquoise-hued lakes in the valleys below. Alpine Helicopter Tours will whisk you away in a helicopter, piloted by an expert aviator, for 12 - 45 minutes of glorious sightseeing and have you exclaiming “Heli-yeah!” as you soar among the clouds.

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Banff Upper Hot Springs

After a day of cold adventures, relax in the steamy Banff Upper Hot Springs while watching the sun go down behind snowy peaks. Banff National Park’s only hot springs pool is also the highest operating hot spring in all of Canada (5200ft) and has a sustained water temperature between 98 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Forget your swimmers? No problem – rent a 1930s-inspired heritage bathing suit for less than $2, absolutely worth the price considering you’ll walk away with some of the best photos of your trip. The suits are properly sanitized between uses, so it’s not that weird.

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Medicinal walk

Learn about ancient plant-based remedies with a Mahikan Trails medicine man or woman on a snowshoe tour through the woods at Cascade Pond. Your guide will educate you about the various Indigenous plants and trees and their secret healing powers at this day-use area inside Banff National Park, which also has arguably the best views of Mount Rundle and is a good place for spotting wildlife.

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Holiday happenings

The Banff and Lake Louise holiday season kicks off with the annual Santa Claus Parade of Lights in November, when everyone gathers around the fire at Banff Avenue Square to welcome Kris Kringle to town. Find fairytale activities throughout the town including browsing locally made artisan gifts at the Christmas Market, celebrating Christmas traditions at the Fairmont Banff Springs “castle” and taking a horse-drawn sleigh ride to Brewster’s Barn for a cozy holiday dinner.

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Why you should visit Banff and Lake Louise this winter

Firework displays, backyard barbecues, and family-friendly entertainment – the Fourth of July is one of America's most festive holidays, and this year, the nation's major events are back in full swing with in-person celebrations.
From big-city bashes to wild-west rodeos, here are the best places to salute the red, white and blue in 2022.

Celebrate the Fourth of July in NYC © Alex Llobet / Shutterstock

New York City, New York
The home of Lady Liberty goes all out for America's birthday with events scattered around NYC's five boroughs. In Brooklyn, the nation's bravest bellies gather at Coney Island for Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog-Eating Contest, followed by a Cyclones baseball game and an evening fireworks show. In Staten Island, the tiny town of Travis dons stars and stripes for a historic parade dating back to 1911.
But nothing holds a candle to Macy's Fourth of July Spectacular — one of the country's biggest pyrotechnic performances. The event begins around 9:30 pm, with over 65,000 shells launching from five barges on the East River near the Brooklyn Bridge. Head to Brooklyn Bridge Park or reserve a spot at riverside joints like Watermark or Fornino for unblocked views.

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Huntington Beach, California
When the surf capital of SoCal threw its first Fourth of July fête in 1904, there were roughly 50,000 attendees. Now, 500,000 people flock to this sunny Los Angeles suburb to participate in what's become the largest Independence Day shindig west of the Mississippi.
Visitors can partake in four days of events, including an all-American 5K, a float-filled parade along historic Main Street, and the Pier Plaza Festival, featuring live entertainment, amusement rides, and tasty grub. The carnival climaxes on July 4th, when fireworks light up the night sky over Huntington Beach Pier at 9 pm.

Head to Colonial Williamsburg to celebrate the holiday © jiawangkun / Shutterstock

Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
July 4th is a celebration of American history, and no place brings that history to life quite like Colonial Williamsburg — an authentic 18th-century town where re-enactors transport visitors back to the nation's earliest days. Start your morning listening to Thomas Jefferson read the Declaration of Independence from the Capitol building's West Balcony, then take the Freedom's Paradox tour to investigate the contradiction of American liberation and slavery.
At 8 pm, join the crowds at Palace Green for Lights of Freedom. The concert features American marching music, a patriotic sing-a-long, and selections from George Frideric Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks — a pitch-perfect accompaniment when actual fireworks go off at 9:30 pm. Palace Green and Market Square are the best spots to see the kaleidoscopic spectacle.

Jackson Hole serves up Americana like nowhere else © Mark Read / Lonely Planet

Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Scenic Jackson Hole serves up Wild West Americana ideal for July 4th celebrations. The annual jamboree starts with a community pancake breakfast hosted in Town Square. A parade packed with horses, clowns, and all the trappings of a John Wayne blockbuster takes off afterward, followed by a shootout reenactment worthy of Billy the Kid's praise.
If you're crazed for more cowboy culture, cap the evening with an old-school rodeo at the Teton County Fairgrounds. While evening fireworks at Teton Village and Snow King Mountain are stunning, nothing beats the sun setting behind the Grand Tetons' white-capped peaks. It's arguably the nation's most magnificent light show.
Seward, Alaska
Seward's fireworks don't erupt until 12:01 am because of Alaska's midnight sun, and the late-night display is almost an afterthought. In this tiny port town, the main event is the Mount Marathon Race, founded in 1915.
Every year, Seward's population balloons from 3,000 to 30,000 as spectators gather to gawk at the race, dubbed the world's most challenging 5K. Join the crowd as madcap adventurers ascend and descend a 3,022-foot peak above Resurrection Bay in the hopes of becoming the marathon's winner. The trek — which scrambles over thick roots, loose shale, and muddy waterfalls — isn't for the faint of heart, but those who compete earn a lifetime of bragging rights.

2012 July 4th firework display in Philadelphia shot from Fairmount Park © Tongshan/ Getty Images / iStockphoto

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The City of Brotherly Love is where America's forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence; you better believe locals take the Fourth of July 4th seriously. The events begin on June 19th, when the Wawa Welcome America festival presents the Juneteenth Block Party, connecting the thread between American liberation and African American emancipation. A series of free museum days, outdoor films, and live performances follow, leading to a holiday weekend brimming with national pride.
If patriotic songs and orchestral tunes suit your style, register for a free ticket to Independence Mall on July 3rd to see the Philly POPS Orchestra. On July 4th, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway becomes an all-day pedestrian party with everything from entertainment and food trucks to games and a kids zone. At 7 pm, the Parkway turns into an outdoor concert featuring pop icons Jason Derulo and Ava Max. Fireworks over the Philadelphia Museum of Art button the day's festivities at 9:45 pm.
Aptos, California
If you're looking for a kitschy way to celebrate small-town America, look no further than Aptos — a sleepy hamlet on the Monterey Bay known for hosting the world's shortest parade.
The route might be a mere 0.6 miles, but don't let the size fool you — this unassuming town has major stamina. Thousands of spectators visit every year, and the march lasts for a couple of hours. The festivities kick off on Soquel Drive and State Park Drive at 10 am. After the parade, make your way to Aptos Village Park, where locals lounge around ten grassy acres and celebrate all afternoon.

Celebrate the holiday with cowboy boots in Nashville © Pez Photography / Alamy

Nashville, Tennessee
Music City, USA, lives up to its nickname with an action-packed holiday featuring performances by world-class musicians. Start the weekend on July 1st by seeing singer-songwriter Ben Folds groove with the Nashville Symphony, rock out on July 2nd with Chagall Guevera at the Ryman Auditorium, and feel your country roots when Riley Green takes over the Ascend Amphitheater on July 3rd. Kids can enjoy the free Family Fun Zone at Music City Walk of Fame Park on July 3rd and 4th, which boasts games, inflatables, and live music.
Let Freedom Sing! Music City is the July 4th grand finale. The free Downtown Nashville bash will feature reggae star Gramps Morgan, pop-punk princess Cassadee Pope, and country heartthrob Levi Hummon. Once the concert ends, head to Ascend Amphitheater for show-stopping fireworks. The city synchronizes its pyrotechnics to a live performance by the Nashville Symphony.
Addison, Texas
3500 pounds of fireworks. 500,000 spectators. Everything really is bigger in Texas — particularly in this suburb north of Dallas. On July 3rd, Addison hosts Kaboom Town! — a half-hour pyro-palooza that sets the sky ablaze.
A limited number of free tickets go on sale on June 22nd at 10 am, but don't worry if you miss out. Restaurants and hotels host watch parties for out-of-towners, and the rocket's red glare is visible from almost anywhere. If you attend, be sure to stretch your neck and shoulders beforehand. A patriotic "Freedom Flyover" airshow precedes the main event, meaning you'll be craning your neck sky-high for most of the night.

See the fireworks over Boston this year © JesseJamesPhotography / Getty Images

Boston, Massachusetts
Walk Boston's cobblestone streets and you can't help running into Revolutionary War-era relics like Bunker Hill and the resting place of Paul Revere. This means Beantown gets a lot of Fourth of July hype — and the city lives up to expectations.
The events begin on July 1st at Downtown Crossing (DTX), where visitors can peruse an Arts and Crafts market, meet re-enactors and staff from the USS Constitution (the world's oldest floating ship), and enjoy music from the 215th Army Band. The DTX party continues on July 2nd with free performances leading to the Harborfest fireworks at 9 pm.
On July 4th, follow a brief parade from City Hall Plaza to the Old State House (built in 1713), where there's a reading of the Declaration of Independence. The day ends with the Boston Pops' annual Fourth of July Spectacular, which returns to the Hatch Memorial Shell on the Charles River Esplanade for the first time in three years. Stick around for the rousing rendition of the 1812 Overture as cannons and fireworks light up the city.
Fire Island Pines, New York
Independence Day on Fire Island is a drag. Every summer, queens and kings of all kinds catch a ferry from Cherry Grove to the Pines, two LGBTQ+ havens off the coast of Long Island. The event, dubbed the Invasion of the Pines, commemorates the summer of 1976, when a Pines restaurant refused to serve a Cherry Grove drag queen because of their outfit. On July 4th, a group of queens 'invaded' the Pines in protest, only to be met with free drinks and admiration.
Today, hundreds of flamboyantly-dressed revelers make the same journey. Once they arrive at the Pines Marina, they strut down a red carpet and into the open arms of friendly onlookers. When the runway ends, the party continues at bars lining Harbor Walk. The event might not celebrate Independence Day, but it certainly celebrates American liberation.

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Rainbow paint and feather boas at the ready – it’s time for Pride season.
This year Pride comes back to life after two years of virtual celebrations – so expect even-more joyful, colorful affairs filled with parties, activist meet-ups, live music and parades.
From queer capital San Francisco to non-stop party town NOLA, there are lots of incredible events taking place. Here's our guide to where and how you can celebrate Pride in 2022.

Portland is a particularly LGBTIQ+-friendly US city © Png Studio Photography / Shutterstock

Portland, Oregon
Portland has a thriving LGBTIQ+ scene year-round, but the highlight is the annual Pride parade and festival, started in 1977. This year, the festivities return with in-person, June 18-19 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The parade draws around 60,000 spectators.
Where to stay: For easy access to Waterfront Park and downtown nightlife, try the Ace Hotel, the Nines or the Jupiter Hotel.
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The DC Pride Parade route goes through popular Dupont Circle © bakdc / Shutterstock

Washington, DC
DC ’s Capital Pride is one of the nation’s oldest, with the first event organized in 1975 as a one-day block party and street festival. This year Washington DC is hosting a colorful pride parade on June 11 – with a caravan of decorated Pride cars following a new route. Watch out for veritable rainbows on every street corner, as local businesses and residents in DC are being encouraged to show their support for Pride by decorating their buildings balconies and yards in a 'Paint the Town Colorful' campaign.
Where to stay: The major locations are Dupont Circle and Pennsylvania Avenue, with both offering excellent accommodation options. Try the Kimpton Palomar in Dupont, and several Marriotts near Pennsylvania Ave. If you need peace and quiet, opt for Georgetown instead (try the quirky-yet-sophisticated Graham).
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'Unapologetically Us' is the Pride theme in New York 2022 © lazyllama / Shutterstock

New York, New York
The first Pride event in US history was the Christopher Street Liberation Day March in 1970 – a protest march spurred by the 1969 Stonewall Riots that signaled the beginning of the gay rights movement. Over 50 years later, Pride in NYC has become a city-wide celebration that’s evolved way beyond its party-hard reputation of previous decades. 'Unapologetically Us' is the theme of Pride 2022 in New York, a reflection of a number of campaigns still ongoing for members of the LGBTQIA community and New Yorkers.

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The NYC Pride March will take plan on June 26 with grand marshals Ts Madison, Punkie Johnson, Schuyler Bailar, Dominique Morgan, and Chase Strangio leading the event that includes live performances and street side activities. The Rally on June 24 is back in person this year and will host a number of speakers in various locations throughout the city. Other aspects of the festival this year include a human rights conference and the PrideFest street festival on June 26. All details can be found here.
Where to stay: New York is pretty gay-friendly wherever you go, The Standard is much in demand. For more Pride fun head to where it all began – the West Village – bar-hopping at stalwarts like Stonewall Inn, Julius' Bar (one of the oldest gay bars in NYC), Cubbyhole and Henrietta Hudson.
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All kinds of crazy costumes are on display at Chicago's Pride festivities © Cafebeanz Company / Shutterstock

Chicago, Illinois
Pride month is a major affair in Chicago, centering around vibrant Boystown, an enclave of welcoming clubs, restaurants and shops that forms one of the country’s longest-established gayborhoods.
This year marks the 51st year of Chicago's Pride Parade with a four mile procession through Lincoln Park, Uptown and Boystown on Sunday, June 26.
Where to stay: Lively Best Western Hawthorne Terrace compensates for somewhat unremarkable interiors with a smack-dab central Boystown location.
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LGBTIQ+ Pride Parade celebrating in sunny LA  © Roberto Galan / Getty Images

Los Angeles, California
The centerpiece of a month of events, the LA Pride Parade and Festival traditionally attracts crowds in the hundreds of thousands along Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood. The live events return this year with a special performance from Christina Aguilera joined by Bob The Drag Queen, Syd, Chika and many others at LA Pride in the Park on June 11. LA's Pride Parade returns for its 52nd Annual procession through Hollywood on June 12.
Where to stay: In past years the party was non-stop at the Standard Hollywood, offering plenty of eye candy poolside and views across the LA basin. But if you're looking for a quiet retreat, boho chic Petit Ermitage offers all-suite rooms and topless bathing.
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Love has no labels © lazyllama / Shutterstock

Denver, Colorado
Denver ’s LGBTIQ+ scene is fit, fabulous and present – the Rocky Montain region's largest festival returns to a lavish, live-inperson celebration June 25-26. Denver PrideFest is a weekend-long event drawing over 350,000 people to Civic Center Park. Denver's Pride 2022 event highlights include two parties at Meow Wolf, a 5k race and Denver's Dyke March on June 25.
Where to stay: Stay downtown at swanky hotel Art to be where it’s at. For something quieter but with urban flair, try the Queen Anne B&B in Five Points.
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Watch parade groups sashay along the route in New Orleans © lazyllama / Shutterstock

New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans has welcomed the LGBTIQ+ community for longer than many American cities have existed. The first recorded pride celebrations date to the 1970s, but there have been publicized gay Mardi Gras events since 1949. Pride in New Orleans largely takes place around the French Quarter and Faubourg Marigny neighborhoods. In 2022, live events return for the weekend of June 9 - 12, with highlights including the Pride Parade on June 11 and New Orleans PrideFest, a large block party along along Bourbon Street.
Where to stay: All French Quarter hotels are gay friendly, and there are many explicitly gay-friendly B&Bs in Faubourg Marigny, including the Burgundy Bed & Breakfast, Lions Inn B&B and Bywater Bed & Breakfast.
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What's Pride all about? Let's spell it out for you... © Kobby Dagan / Shutterstock

San Francisco, California
When it comes to celebrating Pride, there are few cities that rival the spectacle and community commitment of San Francisco. While Castro is the city’s oldest pro-gay neighborhood, Pride takes place all over San Francisco. The large-scale weekend of events returns live this year with the theme 'Love Will Keep Us Together', June 25 - 26.
Where to stay: Parker House is B&B chic; Inn on Castro makes you feel like you’ve stepped straight back into the 70s and Beck’s Motor Lodge, which underwent a makeover in 2016, is not specifically LGBTIQ+ oriented but is in the heart of the Castro and perfect as a base for exploring SF. Book in advance.
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This September, the traditional cry of "O'zapft is!" (it's tapped) will sound from Munich again as the world-famous Oktoberfest resumes after a two-year cancellation.
Munich announced the hugely popular celebration of beer, food, and fancy dress will take place between September 17 and October 3, 2022, Germany 's national day, after the rollicking annual festival was shut down for two years by the pandemic.
Announcing the news, Munich mayor Dieter Reiter said the festival will return "without conditions and restrictions" — meaning there will be no face masks or vaccine passes required for entry, and no social distancing inside the tents.
The big cheers: Oktoberfest for first-timers

Hippodrom beer tent interior at Oktoberfest ©jefmenko/BudgetTravel

The festival, which has swelled to more than seven million visitors in recent years, started in 1880 for the wedding of Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Two years later the beer tents arrived and now it's Germany's biggest tourist attraction.
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It's usually a reliable event on the calendar and has only been cancelled a handful of times. The first shut down was caused by the Napoleonic Wars, four years after the festival began. It was closed again in 1854 due to a cholera epidemic, in 1886 because of the Austria-Prussian War, in 1870 due to the Franco-Prussian War, and again in 1873 due to another bout of cholera. One of the last major cancellations occurred during both World War I and World War II when Oktoberfest was cancelled for several years in a row.
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Due to present global events, the decision to bring it back this year was not taken lightly, according to Reiter. There were concerns that a two-and-a-half-week celebration may seem inappropriate given the still-present threat of the virus and the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, but ultimately it was agreed that "it's up to everyone to decide for themselves anyway whether and how much they want to celebrate," Reiter told a news conference.
How to download Lonely Planet’s Ukranian Phrasebook for free "I'm looking forward to a Oktoberfest 2022 that I hope everyone who wants to go will enjoy," he added.

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Germany's entry rules
Restrictions have eased in Germany in recent months and it's likely that by the time Oktoberfest rolls around, they'll have been relaxed even further.
However, as it stands, officials require that arrivals from the EU or Schengen Zone countries present their EU Digital Certificate to show proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative test to enter Germany. Travelers from non-EU countries must be vaccinated.
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Oktoberfest is back for 2022 without any restrictions

The first challenge of Glastonbury is securing tickets for Glastonbury.
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably already succeeded in that.
The second challenge of Glastonbury is surviving Glastonbury.
Thankfully, we've got your Glastonbury guide sorted.

A little preparation goes a long way at Glastonbury © EON NEAL / AFP / Getty Images

The mega-watt six-day festival returns for the first time since 2019 this June 22 - 26, 2022, stacked with an incredible that includes Paul McCartney, Megan Thee Stallion, Billie Eilish, Dianna Ross, Kendrick Lamar and Olivia Rodrigo.
With some strategic and sensible packing, the right attitude and a versatile wardrobe, you can not only survive one of the most iconic music festivals in the world but thrive in it too. We're here to guide you through until the very last song plays on Sunday night.

When packing, remember you have to carry everything back as well © REBEL Media / Getty Images

Pack like a pro: don't forget the snacks
When you’re packing your bag, the quickest way to eliminate non-essential items from the pile is to remember that everything you bring, you have to bring back with you. Enthusiasm carries you and your heavy luggage through Glastonbury's gates on Wednesday morning but when you’re a brittle shell of a human on Monday morning, you deserve an easy exit. Limit your belongings to one backpack, one holdall bag full of snacks and leave one hand free to share the weight of the tent with your camping gang. Need more guidance? Check out our guide on how to pack for any festival.

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Traffic is inevitable, make sure to treat your driver like royalty © Matt Cardy / Getty Images

Getting there will be a trip
No matter where you’re coming from, you have a long journey ahead of you and can expect some serious traffic. If you’re using the coach service, use this time to stock up on shut-eye. There will be plenty of time for drinking, so hold your horses until you’ve found the perfect camping spot (up next). If you’re driving, be very kind to your designated driver. Buy them treats, shower them with praise and let them have the final say on the playlist.
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Camp uphill, no matter what © AOP.Press / Corbis via Getty Images

The perfect camping spot should be uphill
It’s easy to get stressed out about snagging a spot in the coolest campsite but each area fills up on a first-come, first-serve basis, so if you don’t get your top campsite, be tactical in where you pitch your tent. Our number one tip is to aim for an uphill spot to avoid any possible flooding. The rest, is about compromise.
If you camp along a pathway, you’ll hear snippets of hilarious conversations all weekend long which might keep you awake at night but will make for good anecdotes later. If you camp near the portaloos, you’ll have to face the wrath of the stench but preemptively get ahead of the queues at peak times. If you camp near the entrance, you’ll have a long walk into the main arena but your exit on Monday will be made a bit easier.  Before you commit to hammering in those pegs, let it be known that Pennard Hill Ground is the 'lively' campsite, Lime Kiln & Hitchen Hill are generally on the quieter side.
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Wellies are a must © Gideon Mendel / Corbis via Getty Images

Function versus fashion: prepare for rain and mud
There are two types of Glastonbury; the wet kind, and the dry kind. If the forecast is for rain, don’t cheap out on a raincoat or underestimate the power of a solid welly boot. The wonderful thing about wet gear is that you can rock your best-sequined garms beneath a waterproof exterior and do a sparkling reveal once you’ve found shelter in a dance tent. If you’re pairing wellies with shorts, wear knee-length socks or roll your boots down because calf burn is real. If the sun does decide to make an appearance, keep layers tied around your waist because sun-scorched skin at night is no reveler's delight.
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During your five-day stint, you will endure the following: sleepless nights, irregular meal times, dance marathons, explosive hangovers, bouts of dehydration and the constant threat of hayfever. While prevention is the best cure, preparation is the best remedy. Pack a ziplock bag with painkillers, anti-nausea medication, gentle laxatives, electrolyte powders, antihistamines, plasters, heartburn medication and the all-important anti-diarrhea medication. You and your bowels will communicate like never before at this festival.
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Establish meeting points early on in a festival situation - 'Meet you at the exploding spider later?' © Simone Joyner / Getty Images

The most essential 'essentials' are...essential
At all times, have the following on your person: a reusable water bottle, toilet paper, hand sanitizer and sun lotion.  Bring a portable charger pack but remember that your phone is not an essential item – live in the moment! Phones are infamously unreliable in festival situations, so wear a watch and on your first day there, pick out different landmarks or stalls that will act as your official meeting spots all weekend long. If your gig plans vary from your friends’ plans, all you have to say is, “see you around midnight in front of the katsu curry stand,” rather than constantly trying to find signal. Or, even better, bring a tall, personalized flag so your friends can spot you from the back end of the Pyramid Stage.
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Fight the FOMO and pace yourself...
With over 1100 acres and close to 100 music venues or stages to explore, you might feel like you have to be everywhere at once and do everything that Glasto veterans told you to do. But, a little tip from the top, you can't do everything. Due to the size of the site and with over 210,000 people to wade through, splitting half a set might suck the enjoyment out of the night.  So be flexible with your timetable and accept that you simply cannot be in two places at once. Fun is on tap 24 hours a day at Glastonbury, so if you need to sneak a nap in during the day, fight the FOMO and rest safe in the knowledge there's a lot of fun in your near future.
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Be flexible with your schedule to make the most of Glastonbury © Matt Cardy / Getty Images
... But don’t waste the day away at the campsite
Watch the sunrise at Stone Circle. Warm-up by the fires of Arcadia’s Pangea. Watch Diana Ross perform at the Sunday 'legend' slot on the Pyramid Stage. Find the tunnel under the railway track that connects the Greenpeace Field and Green Futures. Get into Shangri-La early and got lost in there for the night. Dance until 6am in the NYC Downlow. Find the new hidden gem micro venue No Average Groove in the Silver Hayes area. But most importantly, throw out the rulebook, and enjoy your lucky self.
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A handy guide to Glastonbury 2022: Paul McCartney, Diana Ross and everything you need to know

Preparing for a festival this year? Don’t panic: from practicalities to planet-friendly tips, we’ve got it covered.
To ensure you’ve accounted for wading in mud, crippling hangovers and entertaining little ones, we've put together a guide to festival necessities you're going to want to bring for 2022: whatever the weather, budget and company involved.

Pray you get along with the new neighbors © Anton Gvozdikov / Shutterstock

To camp or not to camp
First off, read what not to take with you on the festival’s website – this can be anything from aerosols to paper lanterns to gazebo tents. If you’re camping, leave behind that expensive tent if you’re expecting lots of partying around your pitch. And whatever your tent size, double the number of people it suggests it accommodates – you’ll always need more space.
Not a fan of pitching up? Consider city-based weekend festivals, such as Field Day in London, Sydney Festival or Movement Detroit, USA, as well as those such as Ultra Music Festival held across the globe, from Shanghai to Lima.
If glamping, take note of what the festival provides so you can rock up and relax. Whatever you opt for, check to see if there are amenities near to the site or if you’ll have to take more stuff with you.
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Where did I put that eye mask again? © Collin Quinn Lomax / Shutterstock

Only bring the bare necessities
After you’ve checked and double-checked that you’ve got your festival ticket, ID, cash and debit card, pack solar chargers so you can charge on the go instead of queuing to top up on-site and missing your fave band or losing your friends. If camping, always take a mallet, use folded clothes as a pillow and invest in a good mummy bag and fold-up camping chairs. If you’re taking an airbed, buy a battery-powered pump so you don’t wear yourself out first thing. And stock up on reusable bags like organic cotton bags for carrying merch or food and drink.
Then come the things you think you won’t need but probably will: gaffer tape (it fixes anything), lighter, torch, clothes pegs, ear plugs and eye mask. Make sure you take enough cash, too, and store money in various places such as a hidden money-holder in case of disasters.
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Festival food is sometimes delicious, but it’s always expensive © Alexandr Vorobev / Shutterstock

Food and drink on the cheap
Conscious of the cost of festival food all day, every day? Pack the bare minimum of cooking supplies: small saucepan, spatula, cutlery, plates and bowls, multi-tool or firm knife, tin opener, washing up tools, waste bags and reusable bottles. Most festival sites aren't keen on gas or meth stoves, so opt for multi-fuel or solid gas. Go for long-lasting veggies such as broccoli, kale and potatoes, tinned goods like fish, beans and chopped tomatoes, plus non-perishable foods such as dried fruit and nuts, tofu, couscous and pasta, rice cakes and even dried meat.
Be responsible and leave no trace. At many festivals, you can use the same cup at different bars – check this out and stock up on reusable cups if it applies. Consider taking bamboo utensils, stainless steel straws and food containers. And when it comes to hangovers, ginger tea can ease nausea and grapefruit juice boosts sugar levels. Bananas and coconut water are the ultimate fixes, though – full to the brim with antioxidants and nutrients.
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Whatever the weather
The biggest conundrum: how to prepare for festival weather? The most crucial thing to do is to double up with clothing: sarongs or bandanas turn into skirts and bags; swimwear becomes shorts or underwear. If you’re braving the cold at festivals like Iceland Airwaves, take thermals, thick socks, gloves and insulated foam mats. Prepare for sandstorms with dust masks, goggles or scarves in the desert and temperatures dropping at night at Burning Man, Nevada and Oasis Festival, Marrakesh. In soggy British Glastonbury Festival -type conditions, take big boots and invest in a waterproof tarpaulin cover. In mosquito-ridden areas like Rainforest World Music Festival in the Malaysian jungle or Envision Festival in Costa Rica, buy repellent containing DEET, as well as unscented deodorant. Hitting the sands at Croatia’s Hideout or Australia’s Airlie Beach Festival? Make sure you opt for the ocean-friendly sun lotion to take with you.
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Take a pair of durable boots and make like a hippo if it rains © Dmitri Fedorov / Shutterstock

Keep it clean
Chances are, you’re prepared to get messy, but you'll still want a minimal wash kit. Hand sanitizer, baby wipes, toilet paper (without the roll) and a washbowl can work wonders for day-to-day care. Pack light with shower essentials and take just a slither from your soap bar. Save the travel-size purchases by filling reusable eco-friendly containers.
Then, the little tips: take one small mirror with you, opt for Sun Protection Factor (SPF) products and for those with long hair, always keep a hairband on your wrist. For women, menstruation cups can be reused and last longer.
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You’re never too young to enjoy the festival experience, right? © Olga Enger / Shutterstock

For the kids
Pack Calpol or similar. You could also consider purchasing a portable toilet such as Boginabag. Collapsible bottles are a great shout, too, if your bag of kiddy essentials is about to burst. On top of the regular holiday kit, poncho towels are winners for drying littluns off after getting dirty, kids’ onesies are perfect for the evening and cool sunhats and child-size ear protectors are essential.
For fun, choose things that kids will keep playing with when the sun goes down or in a crowded field – think glowsticks, festival make-up kits, disposable cameras and mini binoculars. For when their feet ache? Go for carriers such as Ergobaby, folding camping stools, portable cushioned beds for the younger ones like Sleepyhead or even a Radio Flyer. To ensure a good night’s sleep amid the noise, get some scent spray such as Long Barn and a good quality miniature sleeping bag.

Camaraderie and cooperation are part of what makes festivals so magical © Briony Campbell / Getty Images

Beg or borrow
The key things you can rely on at a festival are: a) the sheer number of people around you in the great outdoors and b) the willingness to share, so make use of it! Allocate different jobs between you and your fellow festival-goers beforehand so you don’t end up with five mallets and one air-pump. And don’t fret if you can’t pack camping chairs in your car or fit a cool-box on your back. Friendly neighbors or festival staff can always lend a helping hand.
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Make your festival experience even more of an eye-opener by adding a splash of colour © Lapina / Shutterstock

Dress-up, glitter and more
Stand unique flags at your pitch so that you can find your way back to it. But perhaps leave the sumo suit at home if you’re tight for space. With or without a dress-up theme, go for lightweight finds like printed leggings, face paint and glitter, headbands, wigs and masks. And you should be able to squeeze in compact games such as Bananagrams and Storycubes, or there’s the conversation-starter Twister (without its packaging), which can double-up as a somewhat less practical camp mat.
You might also like: Glastonbury guide: how to survive the iconic music festival The Lonely Planet guide to Coachella 10 of Europe's best music festivals in amazing locations

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