As the summer sun beckons and festival season gets into full swing, being prepared can make all the difference between a magical weekend and a muddy nightmare. Whether you’re heading to Glastonbury, Reading, or a local boutique fest, your smartphone can be your greatest ally. Here’s a guide to the best apps to help you survive – and thrive – at UK music festivals in 2025.
1. Festival Ready – Checklists and Essentials
Before you pack your tent, check out Festival Ready. This app is your packing partner, offering pre-built and customisable checklists so you never forget your wellies or power bank. It’s a simple but essential tool for getting off to a strong start.
2. AccuWeather – For Spot-On Weather Forecasts
UK festivals and unpredictable weather go hand-in-hand. AccuWeather provides hyper-localised forecasts so you can plan your outfit (and your shelter strategy) with confidence.
3. Google Maps – The Never-Lost Friend
Once inside a massive site like Boomtown or Isle of Wight, it’s easy to get disoriented. Google Maps allows you to pin locations like your tent, favourite food vendors, and hidden toilets – crucial when the main act ends and thousands surge back to their camps.
4. What3Words – Find Friends Faster
Festival crowds can make it difficult to reunite with mates. What3Words gives every 3m square of the globe a unique 3-word identifier – a game-changer for finding your exact tent spot or picnic blanket.
5. Spotify – Create the Ultimate Festival Playlist
Get hyped before your trip by building your own lineup-based playlist. Spotify also helps you discover smaller acts you may otherwise miss – just search for the festival name and you’ll find curated mixes.
6. Battery Guru – Keep Your Phone Going All Weekend
With patchy signal, endless photos, and apps running constantly, your phone battery will be under siege. Battery Guru gives you tips and real-time tracking to extend your battery life as long as possible.
7. Snapchat or Instagram – For Capturing (and Sharing) the Magic
If it didn’t go on your story, did it even happen? These apps are perfect for quick updates, filters, and keeping your mates in the loop – just remember to live in the moment, too.
Bonus Tip: Download Offline Versions of these apps, maps, and playlists before you go – signal is often limited at festival sites.
Final Thoughts:
A few apps can make all the difference in navigating crowds, managing weather surprises, and keeping in touch. Whether you’re a festival first-timer or a seasoned tent-dweller, load up your phone with these essentials and you’ll be set for an unforgettable summer.
Let the music (and the tech) guide you!
