Festival Season: How to Manage Your Period at Glastonbury, Download, and Beyond

Your complete guide to period confidence at music festivals—from packing the right supplies to navigating portaloos and keeping comfortable for the whole weekend.

Yes, You Can Have a Great Festival on Your Period

Festival season is here. Glastonbury's iconic Pyramid Stage. Download's legendary mosh pits. Reading and Leeds' bank holiday mayhem. Isle of Wight's coastal vibes. Camp Bestival's family-friendly fields.

And your period might decide to join you.

Here's the thing: your period doesn't have to ruin your festival. With the right preparation, products, and mindset, you can dance, camp, and enjoy every moment—regardless of where you are in your cycle.

This guide covers everything you need to know: what to pack, which products work best for festival conditions, how to handle portaloo situations with grace, and tips from people who've managed periods at every major UK festival.

Before You Go: Timing and Preparation

Track Your Cycle

If you track your period, check your expected dates against the festival schedule. Apps like Clue, Flo, or Natural Cycles can predict your cycle up to three months ahead.

But here's the catch: travel, excitement, disrupted sleep, and changes in routine can all affect your cycle. Periods can arrive early, late, or surprise you entirely. Always pack supplies, even if you're not expecting your period.

Consider Your Options

If your period consistently causes significant discomfort, talk to your GP about options:

• Hormonal contraception can sometimes be used to delay or skip periods for special occasions
• Pain management plans can be discussed in advance
• This isn't about avoiding your period because it's shameful—it's about having options if severe symptoms would genuinely impact your experience

But for most people, managing a period at a festival is completely doable with the right approach.

What to Pack: Your Festival Period Kit

Create a dedicated period kit that stays with you—not buried at the bottom of your camping gear. A small waterproof pouch or bag works perfectly.

The Essentials

Period products (more than you think you'll need):

• Your preferred products—tampons, pads, menstrual cup, period pants, or a combination
• Different absorbencies for different days
• Backup products in case plans change

Hand sanitiser:

• Essential for before and after any product changes
• Festival toilets rarely have working sinks nearby
• Carry a small bottle that clips to your bag

Wet wipes or intimate wipes:

• Unscented, pH-balanced wipes for freshening up
• Useful when showers are unavailable or queues are endless
• Pack biodegradable options for environmental festivals

Disposal bags:

• FabLittleBag is perfect for festivals—opaque, sealable, and easy to use with one hand
• Festival toilets don't always have bins, and you should never flush products
• These let you dispose of products discreetly and hygienically wherever you are

Pain relief:

• Paracetamol, ibuprofen, or your preferred pain medication
• Heat patches (adhesive warming patches) can help with cramps
• Pack more than you need—you might help a fellow festival-goer

Spare underwear:

• Dark colours hide any accidents
• Quick-dry materials are useful for limited washing opportunities
• Pack at least 2-3 extra pairs

Nice to Have

• Small torch or headlamp (for nighttime toilet trips)
• Antibacterial hand gel
• Dry shampoo (helpful if you feel generally less fresh)
• Comfort snacks high in iron (dark chocolate, nuts, dried fruit)
• Reusable water bottle (staying hydrated helps with cramps)
• Small mirror (for cup insertion/checking if needed)

Choosing Products for Festival Conditions

Different products have different advantages in festival settings. Here's how each performs:

Menstrual Cups: The Festival Champion

Why they work:

• Up to 12 hours of wear means fewer changes
• Higher capacity than tampons (great for heavy days)
• No need to carry multiple products
• Empty into toilet, wipe clean, reinsert—minimal fuss

Festival challenges:

• Requires hand washing before and after—tricky with limited water
• Learning curve if you're new to cups
• May need to clean in less-than-ideal conditions

Festival tips:

• Bring a small bottle of water for rinsing
• Pack cup wipes or a cleaning spray for stalls without sinks
• If water access is limited, you can wipe with tissue and reinsert—just clean properly when you can
• Practice at home before the festival if you're new to cups

Good news for Glastonbury 2024+: WaterAid now provides "Period-Proud stations" at major festivals with sinks and warm water specifically for cleaning reusable products.

Period Pants: Comfort and Simplicity

Why they work:

• No insertion required—just wear like normal underwear
• Very comfortable for sleeping and all-day wear
• No disposal needed during wear
• Work well as backup with other products

Festival challenges:

• Need washing between uses (or multiple pairs)
• Drying can be slow in a tent
• Heavy flow may need more frequent changes

Festival tips:

• Pack 3-4 pairs for a weekend festival
• Rinse in cold water and hang inside your tent to dry
• Use as overnight protection with another product during the day
• High-waisted styles stay put during dancing and movement

Tampons: Familiar and Convenient

Why they work:

• Most people know how to use them
• Widely available if you run out
• Quick to change
• Take up little space

Festival challenges:

• Need changing every 4-8 hours
• More frequent toilet trips on heavy days
• Require disposal after each use
• Risk of running out

Festival tips:

• Pack twice as many as you think you need
• Carry a few in your bumbag/crossbody for quick access
• Always bring disposal bags—don't rely on bins being available
• Go for applicator-free if you want to reduce waste

Pads: Simple and Reliable

Why they work:

• No insertion required
• Easy to use in any conditions
• Good for overnight
• Work well as backup

Festival challenges:

• Can feel bulky in hot weather
• Need changing regularly
• More obvious under some festival outfits
• Require disposal after each use

Festival tips:

• Choose thin, high-absorbency options
• Bring disposal bags for every change
• Consider organic cotton for breathability in hot conditions
• Work well combined with period pants for extra security

The Combination Approach

Many experienced festival-goers use multiple products:

• Cup during the day (fewer changes, less hassle)
• Period pants at night (comfortable, no midnight changes)
• Tampons or pads as backup (for when other options aren't convenient)

Find what works for you before the festival—don't experiment for the first time in a portaloo.

Navigating Festival Toilets

Let's be honest: festival toilets are not glamorous. But with the right approach, they're completely manageable.

Types of Festival Toilets

Portaloos (portable toilets):

• Most common at festivals
• Basic facilities—toilet seat, toilet paper (sometimes), urinal
• Can be cramped and dark
• Varying levels of cleanliness depending on time of day

Compost toilets:

• More common at eco-conscious festivals
• Sawdust or similar material after use
• Often cleaner and less smelly
• Products should go in general waste, not the toilet

Proper toilet blocks:

• Available in some VIP areas or upgraded camping
• Running water, sinks, mirrors
• Much easier for period management

Women's urinals:

• Increasingly common at major festivals
• Some now include "Period-Proud" stations with sinks and privacy

Toilet Survival Tips

Timing matters:

• Early morning (before 10am) = cleanest toilets
• During headline acts = shorter queues
• Late night = varying conditions but usually less busy
• Midday and between sets = longest queues

Be prepared:

• Carry your own toilet paper (never rely on it being stocked)
• Bring a small torch for nighttime visits
• Use hand sanitiser before AND after
• Wear shoes you can stand in without touching anything

The period-specific routine:

1. Before entering: Hand sanitiser
2. Inside: Hook your bag on the door or wear crossbody
3. Change your product over the toilet (not while standing)
4. Wrap used products in a FabLittleBag or toilet paper
5. Place in disposal bag in your kit (or bin if available—never flush)
6. Hand sanitiser again before leaving

What If There's No Bin?

This is where FabLittleBag really shines. Our bags are:

• Completely opaque—no one can see the contents
• Sealable—no leaks, no odours
• Compact—easy to carry until you find a bin
• Easy to open with one hand—even in cramped conditions

Simply pop your used product in the bag, seal it, and carry it in your period kit until you find proper disposal. No one will know what's inside.

Staying Comfortable All Weekend

Managing Cramps and Discomfort

Festival conditions can make period symptoms feel worse—or the distraction might make you forget about them entirely. Either way, be prepared:

Pain relief:

• Take medication proactively before symptoms peak
• Set reminders on your phone if needed
• Ibuprofen can help with both pain and inflammation

Heat therapy:

• Adhesive heat patches stick to your underwear and provide hours of warmth
• Small, discreet, and perfect for wearing while watching bands
• Brands like ThermaCare or supermarket own-brands work well

Movement:

• Gentle movement can actually help cramps
• Dancing, walking between stages, and stretching keep things moving
• Don't force yourself if you need rest, but don't assume you need to sit still

Hydration and nutrition:

• Dehydration makes cramps worse
• Festival food isn't known for being nutritious—bring snacks high in iron and magnesium
• Limit alcohol on your heaviest days if it tends to worsen symptoms

What to Wear

Outfit planning:

• Dark colours on heavy days (just in case)
• Comfortable underwear that holds products securely
• High-waisted shorts or skirts can feel more secure
• Layers let you add or remove as your temperature fluctuates

Footwear matters:

• Festival grounds can be muddy and uneven
• Comfortable shoes make toilet trips less exhausting
• Wellies with warm socks if it's Glastonbury

Sleep and Rest

In your tent:

• Use your highest absorbency product overnight
• Period pants work brilliantly for sleeping
• Dark-coloured sleeping bag liner protects your gear
• Keep supplies within reach for middle-of-the-night needs
• A small torch near your pillow saves fumbling

Take breaks when needed:

• If you feel exhausted, it's okay to skip an act and rest
• Find quiet areas of the festival for downtime
• Don't feel pressure to push through if you're struggling

Festival-Specific Tips

Glastonbury

• Period-Proud stations at women's urinals (Pyramid Field, Stone Circle, Bushy Ground, Paines Ground campsites) offer sinks with warm water
• Hey Girls provides free organic pads and tampons at information points
• Long walks between stages—wear comfortable shoes
• Notoriously variable weather—pack for both sun and mud

Download Festival

• Rock and metal crowds—dark clothes are already the dress code
• Mosh pits: consider high-security products (cups or tampons with period pants as backup)
• Five days of camping means packing more supplies
• Donington Park can be muddy—wellies essential

Reading and Leeds

• Upgraded camping options in 2025+ include better facilities
• Multiple distinct campsites—some quieter than others
• Bank holiday timing (late August) means variable weather
• Young crowd—help out fellow festival-goers if they're caught short

Isle of Wight Festival

• Coastal location means wind and weather changes
• Generally more relaxed vibe—good for period rest days
• Ferry crossing: pack supplies in carry-on in case of bag delays

Camp Bestival

• Family-friendly means better toilet facilities overall
• Shorter festival with more civilised camping options
• Good choice if you're nervous about managing periods at festivals

First Period at a Festival? You've Got This

If this is your first time dealing with a period while camping or at a festival, here's your survival checklist:

1. Pack more than you need — running out is stressful
2. Tell a friend — someone who can help if needed
3. Know where the toilets are — locate them when you arrive
4. Practice at home — if using cups or trying anything new
5. Bring disposal bags — never rely on bins being available
6. Stay hydrated — it helps everything
7. Be kind to yourself — it's okay to take breaks
8. Remember: you're not alone — thousands of people at every festival are managing periods too

What About Period Delays or Emergencies?

If Your Period Arrives Unexpectedly

• Ask fellow festival-goers—people are usually incredibly helpful
• Head to first aid or information points (many festivals stock free products)
• Some festivals have dedicated welfare tents with supplies
• Toilet paper can work as an emergency pad until you find products

If You Run Out of Products

• Information points at major festivals often have free supplies
• First aid tents usually stock basics
• The crowd around you will often have spares
• Festival shops may stock products (at premium prices)

If You Feel Unwell

• Heavy bleeding, severe pain, or feeling faint should be checked
• First aid tents are staffed with professionals
• Don't be embarrassed to seek help
• Dehydration combined with period symptoms can hit hard—drink water

A Note on Sustainability

Festivals generate enormous amounts of waste. Your period management can be part of the solution:

• Reusable products (cups, discs, period pants) create minimal waste
• Organic disposables biodegrade faster than conventional products
• Never flush anything—even if toilets seem to be connected to sewage
• FabLittleBag is made mostly from plants (60% sugarcane, 30% recycled plastic, 10% cornstarch)—thoughtful disposal when you need disposables
• Pack out what you pack in—including period waste if bins are overflowing

The Bottom Line

Your period shouldn't stop you from having an incredible festival experience. With the right preparation—the right products, disposal solutions, and mindset—you can dance, camp, and enjoy every moment.

Pack smart. Know your options. Use FabLittleBag for discreet disposal. And remember: thousands of people at every festival are managing periods alongside you. You've absolutely got this.

See you in the fields.

Quick Reference: Festival Period Checklist

Products: ☐ Primary product (cup/tampons/pads/pants) ☐ Backup products ☐ Different absorbencies ☐ More than you think you need

Hygiene: ☐ Hand sanitiser ☐ Intimate wipes (unscented) ☐ FabLittleBag disposal bags ☐ Toilet paper (small pack) ☐ Small water bottle for rinsing

Comfort: ☐ Pain relief ☐ Heat patches ☐ Spare dark underwear (2-3 pairs) ☐ Snacks (iron-rich) ☐ Water bottle

Practical: ☐ Small torch ☐ Waterproof pouch for kit ☐ Mirror (if using cup) ☐ Period tracking app updated

Resources

Festival Period Support:

• Glastonbury Period-Proud stations (WaterAid partnership)
• Hey Girls free products at information points (various festivals)
• First aid tents at all major festivals

Reusable Product Brands:

• Mooncup — Menstrual cups
• WUKA — Period pants
• AllMatters — Cups and travel kits

Related reading on our blog:

• Sustainable Period Products: A Complete Guide
• Period Disposal While Travelling
• Why 40% of UK Women Still Flush Period Products

FabLittleBag makes festival period management easier. Our disposal bags are opaque, sealable, and easy to use with one hand—perfect for portaloos, camping, and anywhere bins aren't available. Made mostly from plants, they're the thoughtful choice for festival season. Shop FabLittleBag