Glastonbury Festival: 15 of the Most Surreal Moments at Worthy Farm

Glastonbury Festival is renowned worldwide for its dazzling Pyramid Stage performances by global superstars. Yet beyond the music, the event has experienced an array of surreal and unexpected moments that have become legendary in their own right.

Here are 15 of the most surreal happenings that have marked Glastonbury’s history:

The Other Stage Sinks (1997)
Heavy rain turned the ground beneath the Other Stage into a quagmire, causing it to literally sink into the mud midday Friday and forcing cancellations.

Michael Jackson’s Death Rumors (2009)
Before smartphones were common, rumors of the King of Pop’s death swept through the festival, leaving many in shock. The festival paid tribute, with artists like Lily Allen wearing a white glove on stage.
Odd Lost Items
Andy Wilcott, former head of Glastonbury’s cleanup crew, recounted discovering bizarre lost items over the years, including a “poo in a bra hanging in a tree,” mannequins, and even a cannonball.
Teen Rap Sensation (2019)
Local teen Alex Mann stunned the crowd by joining rapper Dave on the Other Stage to perform “Thiago Silva” flawlessly, sparking viral fame and a TV appearance.
Keanu Reeves Rocks the Stage (1999)
Known for his acting, Keanu Reeves performed with his band Dogstar, enduring objects thrown by a raucous crowd.
Bradley Cooper’s Secret Appearance (2017)
Filming “A Star Is Born,” Cooper surprised audiences by briefly appearing on the Pyramid Stage before Kris Kristofferson’s set, calling the experience “magical.”
Birthday Wishes During Elbow’s Secret Set (2017)
Thousands joined in sending birthday wishes to a young fan named Sarah during a surprise performance, creating a truly special moment.
Giant Sex Toy on BBC (2017)
During Stormzy’s set, a man in a policeman’s outfit waved a large sex toy, which was accidentally broadcast again on BBC Breakfast later that year.
Guitarist Left Behind (2005)
The Killers’ guitarist Dave Keuning was accidentally left at a motorway service station en route to Glastonbury, nearly missing the band’s Pyramid Stage performance.
Euro 2004 Football Watch Party
Approximately 65,000 festival attendees watched the England vs Portugal match live on site—an audience surpassing the stadium’s actual attendance.
Oasis Parka Theft (2017)
Former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher revealed his iconic Stone Island parkas were stolen from his hotel room during the festival.
Riots and Police Clash (1990)
Following accusations of theft, a convoy of travelers clashed with security and police, leading to arrests and a year-long festival hiatus.
The Dalai Lama’s Visit (2015)
The spiritual leader addressed the crowd, joined climate change protests, and celebrated his birthday with festival-goers on the Pyramid Stage.
Boris Johnson’s Poetic Performance (2000)
Then London Mayor and future Prime Minister Boris Johnson recited The Iliad in the Poetry Tent, claiming the festival represented “a triumph of right wing ideology” despite being confronted by nudists.
Prince Charles Tours the Festival (2010)
Now King, Charles visited as WaterAid’s president, touring key festival areas, meeting performers, and appearing on the Pyramid Stage.

Across its storied history, Glastonbury Festival has been a stage not just for musical excellence but also for extraordinary, surreal moments that continue to captivate fans worldwide.