Glastonbury Festival has earned a reputation as one of Europe’s most exhausting music festivals, with attendees averaging a mere four hours and 18 minutes of sleep per night. According to a recent survey conducted by sleep experts MattressNextDay involving 1,000 festival-goers, Glastonbury ranks as the tenth worst festival in Europe for getting adequate rest.
Between the relentless music, flashing lights, and non-stop partying until dawn, it’s no wonder campers struggle to catch sufficient shuteye. This level of sleep deprivation is concerning, especially given the NHS warnings linking chronic lack of sleep to serious health issues like weakened immune function, weight gain, elevated blood pressure, and a higher risk of diabetes.
Safety is also a concern, as tired festival attendees face a greater risk of accidents compared to well-rested individuals. So if you’re heading to Glastonbury this year, prioritizing sleep should be high on your list.
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Martin Seeley, CEO and Senior Sleep Expert at MattressNextDay, offers practical advice for catching better rest amid the festival chaos: “Try to set up camp in a quiet spot away from busy areas like walkways and toilets, or seek out designated ‘quiet camp’ zones. Bringing your own pillow can introduce comfort and familiarity, helping you fall asleep faster. If you feel drained during the day, a quick 20-minute power nap can work wonders—but be cautious not to nap too long, or you might wake up feeling groggy instead of refreshed.”
He adds, “Festival sleep may never be perfect, but with the right setup and habits, you can stay more rested and fully enjoy the experience without burning out.”
Interestingly, Glastonbury isn’t the most sleep-deprived festival in the UK. That title belongs to Wales’ Green Man Festival, where attendees average just four hours and four minutes of sleep each night.
On a quirkier note, Boomtown Festival in Hampshire claims the ‘weirdest places to nap’ crown. Nearly one in four attendees (23%) admit to dozing off in portable toilets — not the most comfortable rest stop — while over a third (35%) say they have fallen asleep in crowded areas.
Below is the list of the top ten most sleep-deprived festivals across Europe, highlighting just how challenging it is to get rest when the party never stops.
