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Leeds Festival for a 17 year old

109 replies

Throwmoneyatit · 17/07/2026 18:15

Good evening everyone!

I need advice! Talk to me about Leeds Festival please!

I just want to start by saying that when I was 17, I was horse obsessed and didn't like to go too far from my horses so I've led quite a few sheltered teen years!

My son has asked for a ticket to Leeds Festival for his birthday. He will turn 17 a month before.

The thing is, I'm 3 hours away from the site and I'm working that weekend. Obviously if there were any problems, I'd leave work or pay for a taxi home (ideally neither of these things but this is where we are on emergencies).

There is return coach travel available to the Festival from a city about an hour away from me so it would be train and then coach. He knows how to catch trains, buses, read timetables etc.

I've taken him to Highest Point every year (and I think this is where he got the festival bug), went to Kendal Calling last year with his girlfriend and some friends. There was a parent at this festival and I'm less than an hour away, in the event of an emergency.

He has saved up and bought a ticket for Kendal Calling again this year, saved his spending money, bought a tent etc. He's an apprenticeship and works really hard. He will continue working during the holidays and has booked the weekend of Leeds Festival off.

He is kind, considerate, well mannered, reliable and sensible. I'm biased but I am so incredibly lucky to have a son like him. We are close and he tells me a lot. Dh thinks because of how he is as a person, he will be absolutely fine but this is our first child and I don't know if it's a sensible idea due to my teenage years.

He will be attending the events with his lovely girlfriend and their friends (mainly couples) who have a similar mentality to my son and I've met them all. They're all fabulous 17 and 18 year old.

I would book the train, coach, festival ticket and the powerbank swap scheme.

I know I can't have absolute certainty, and I don't know if I'm thinking too much as I suffer with diagnosed anxiety, but is Leeds Fest OK for a 17 year old?

OP posts:
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OnTheBoardwalk · 30/08/2026 20:48

beadyboo · 30/08/2026 20:33

She went (course she did!)
she researched, with the help of ChatGPT, a solution. Bought a big green coach ticket which takes you there directly. Promised to have her phone and location on and took a portable charger. There was no signal, but the coach company gives you a password on the outbound journey just in case your phone dies for the return leg.
it all seemed to be well organised and efficient. Only downside was having to pick her up from Manchester at 1.30 am as we definitely were comfortable with her proposal of “I’ll just get an uber”
She had a blast though and I’m glad we let her go.

Ah I’m glad it all worked out for her and you!

the old ‘I’ll just get an Uber’ works on so many parents and usually guarantees a lift

beadyboo · 30/08/2026 20:33

She went (course she did!)
she researched, with the help of ChatGPT, a solution. Bought a big green coach ticket which takes you there directly. Promised to have her phone and location on and took a portable charger. There was no signal, but the coach company gives you a password on the outbound journey just in case your phone dies for the return leg.
it all seemed to be well organised and efficient. Only downside was having to pick her up from Manchester at 1.30 am as we definitely were comfortable with her proposal of “I’ll just get an uber”
She had a blast though and I’m glad we let her go.

Throwmoneyatit · 30/08/2026 20:31

Fibrous · 28/08/2026 16:53

I didn't even tell my parents when I went to reading festival when I was 17. They probably thought I was at scout camp. The funny thing was, I bumped into my 15 year old sister at it - we didn't know either of us were going 😂. No idea what she told them. We both turned out okay.

The days before mobile phones were good times!

Edited

That's hilarious! Is it still a secret between you both?
My sisters would have definitely grassed 😂

OP posts:
Throwmoneyatit · 30/08/2026 20:30

FettleOfKish · 28/08/2026 15:46

Our nieces (raised in Jersey so rather more sheltered than some teens in the UK, and no real experience of train or coach travel) both went to Reading at 17, were absolutely fine and had a blast.

I'm so glad they enjoyed too! Great memories!

OP posts:
Throwmoneyatit · 30/08/2026 20:29

Wingingit73 · 28/08/2026 15:13

Going with friends. What an adventure. Let him go. No taxi. That's not cool. Worry in secret

He went! Enjoyed it but wouldn't go back. He's organising his festival calendar for next year!
We did end up being his taxi but me and dh are cool 😂

OP posts:
Throwmoneyatit · 30/08/2026 20:25

Yetanotherone12 · 26/08/2026 23:57

Keep an eye on resale sites, tickets often come up last minute.

That's what my son ended up doing. Since this thread was started, he changed his mind a few times so the ticket was bought the week of the festival for £30 less from Tixl.

OP posts:
Throwmoneyatit · 30/08/2026 20:23

ItsAllSoUnfair · 24/08/2026 08:25

There are shuttle busses from Leeds train station to the site. I assume that’s for day trippers as well as the full weekend but definitely worth checking. Depending on her age I would be wary of her being on her own. The last act finishes at just before 11pm so it’s late to be getting home alone.

Agree, definitely wouldn't want them out and about somewhere unfamiliar on their own at that time!

OP posts:
Throwmoneyatit · 30/08/2026 20:22

Jo14357 · 23/08/2026 23:58

Yes this always happens on the Sunday night with the tents so mine were picked up on the Sunday at 11pm.

Yes! I ended up arriving to collect him at about 3pm. There wasn't anyone he was desperate to see. I'm glad he's home 😁

OP posts:
Throwmoneyatit · 30/08/2026 20:21

OnTheBoardwalk · 23/08/2026 23:33

I’m all for everything but this is a nope from me

as you say sticking together at any festival is key, I’ve sorted all sorts out in a group

what trains are even travelling at this time? I assume all local accommodation is booked up

We gave him lifts in the end. Took close to three hours each way with traffic but at least he was safe!
Leeds isn't for him though!

OP posts:
Throwmoneyatit · 30/08/2026 20:19

beadyboo · 23/08/2026 23:06

Sorry to jump on your thread OP but everyone here seems really knowledgeable… I’ve never been to a festival so I may be worrying unnecessarily.
DDs friends have weekend camping tickets to Leeds. She’s had a sudden change of heart (FOMO) and decided to go after all but camping is sold out. Without telling us she’s bought a day ticket. The only issue for me is the travel. She could get herself from our home town to Manchester and then a train to Leeds and then figure out getting to the park in the morning but I’m really worried about the return journey. Me and her dad have a prior commitment so can’t pick her up and the thought of her getting across the venue to some sort of transport, then to Leeds, to Manchester to home on her own is dangerous. I’m seriously considering telling her she can’t go. Sticking together is always key and with this scenario she’ll be doing a lot of wandering around alone.
I hope your son has a fantastic time.

He did and we ended up managing to rearrange work so me and dh have had two lovely long drives together which a Maccies bonus halfway there 😂
I'm glad we took him and picked him up as he wanted to come home early, which he wouldn't have been able to if he'd have got the coach.
I hope your daughter loved it and travel worked out well!

OP posts:
Throwmoneyatit · 30/08/2026 20:17

BurntBroccoli · 19/07/2026 00:37

It’s mostly 17 and 18 year olds. I will say though that the year my YP went, some idiots were setting fire to tents and so they had to sleep in their car (they’d driven there).

Parents were also picking up their kids due to this.

I've read the Sunday night traditions have started 😳

OP posts:
Throwmoneyatit · 30/08/2026 20:16

OnTheBoardwalk · 19/07/2026 00:26

I’ve been to many festivals and I was at Leeds during the riots. It was fine and my car wasn’t one of the very few that was set on fire

it absolutely wouldn’t stop me going again apart from the fact I’m too old

all I would say is stick together with his girlfriend and friends. On the very very unlikely chance something happened they could all sort something out between them

Ah, that's always a bonus 😆
I loved festivals but also know what we got upto which I think concerned me 😂
I asked my son if I would have been too old, the answer was most definitely yes!
He's made loads of new friends too which is great who they could go to different stages with!

OP posts:
Throwmoneyatit · 30/08/2026 20:13

Wemustbetherebynow · 19/07/2026 00:14

Recommend booking into the eco camp at Leeds fest for a slightly more sensible camping experience. Both my DSs went post GCSE and had a great time. Despite me worrying all the time 😂one of the group one year dislocated their thumb and got excellent help on site from the medical team.

It is such a worry! And I may have shed a few tears when we dropped him off 😆
He did enjoy it, thank you but said he won't be going to it again.
I've heard the medical team and welfare tent are fantastic!

OP posts:
Throwmoneyatit · 30/08/2026 20:11

ExitPursuedByABare · 19/07/2026 00:00

He’ll be grand. My DD went post GCSEs at 16 and at 17. She did get a bin bag full of shit thrown on her head one year but hey, that’s festivals for you. She moved on to Boomtown at 18.

Boomtown is apparently next year! My son thought he was too old for Leeds 🤣

What a shame for your daughter, but glad it didn't put her off! I've read that the Sunday night antics have started so I'm glad he's home!

OP posts:
Throwmoneyatit · 30/08/2026 20:08

Blueyblueyblue · 18/07/2026 23:32

I went to Reading twice and loved it. Such happy memories.

Yes! I remember my teenage years fondly 😁

OP posts:
Throwmoneyatit · 30/08/2026 18:13

Update!

He went! I have picked him up safe and sound, just a day early after homesick messages were sent last night. I rearranged work so I've gained a day off tomorrow too!
He has enjoyed himself but wouldn't go again.

For anybody else on collection duty; it was well signposted, no queues and the drop off/pick up fields weren't muddy 😁

Thanks for all your help x

OP posts:
Fibrous · 28/08/2026 16:53

I didn't even tell my parents when I went to reading festival when I was 17. They probably thought I was at scout camp. The funny thing was, I bumped into my 15 year old sister at it - we didn't know either of us were going 😂. No idea what she told them. We both turned out okay.

The days before mobile phones were good times!

Yetanotherone12 · 28/08/2026 16:48

BurntBroccoli · 28/08/2026 00:22

Can’t she just share a tent with someone though not sure if they check wristbands ?

Fairly sure they check.

or there would be 1/4 of the tickets sold and everyone would bunk in with the one mate who’s paid for the whole weekend.

FettleOfKish · 28/08/2026 15:46

Our nieces (raised in Jersey so rather more sheltered than some teens in the UK, and no real experience of train or coach travel) both went to Reading at 17, were absolutely fine and had a blast.

Wingingit73 · 28/08/2026 15:13

Going with friends. What an adventure. Let him go. No taxi. That's not cool. Worry in secret

BurntBroccoli · 28/08/2026 00:22

beadyboo · 23/08/2026 23:06

Sorry to jump on your thread OP but everyone here seems really knowledgeable… I’ve never been to a festival so I may be worrying unnecessarily.
DDs friends have weekend camping tickets to Leeds. She’s had a sudden change of heart (FOMO) and decided to go after all but camping is sold out. Without telling us she’s bought a day ticket. The only issue for me is the travel. She could get herself from our home town to Manchester and then a train to Leeds and then figure out getting to the park in the morning but I’m really worried about the return journey. Me and her dad have a prior commitment so can’t pick her up and the thought of her getting across the venue to some sort of transport, then to Leeds, to Manchester to home on her own is dangerous. I’m seriously considering telling her she can’t go. Sticking together is always key and with this scenario she’ll be doing a lot of wandering around alone.
I hope your son has a fantastic time.

Can’t she just share a tent with someone though not sure if they check wristbands ?

Yetanotherone12 · 26/08/2026 23:57

beadyboo · 23/08/2026 23:06

Sorry to jump on your thread OP but everyone here seems really knowledgeable… I’ve never been to a festival so I may be worrying unnecessarily.
DDs friends have weekend camping tickets to Leeds. She’s had a sudden change of heart (FOMO) and decided to go after all but camping is sold out. Without telling us she’s bought a day ticket. The only issue for me is the travel. She could get herself from our home town to Manchester and then a train to Leeds and then figure out getting to the park in the morning but I’m really worried about the return journey. Me and her dad have a prior commitment so can’t pick her up and the thought of her getting across the venue to some sort of transport, then to Leeds, to Manchester to home on her own is dangerous. I’m seriously considering telling her she can’t go. Sticking together is always key and with this scenario she’ll be doing a lot of wandering around alone.
I hope your son has a fantastic time.

Keep an eye on resale sites, tickets often come up last minute.

ItsAllSoUnfair · 24/08/2026 08:25

beadyboo · 23/08/2026 23:06

Sorry to jump on your thread OP but everyone here seems really knowledgeable… I’ve never been to a festival so I may be worrying unnecessarily.
DDs friends have weekend camping tickets to Leeds. She’s had a sudden change of heart (FOMO) and decided to go after all but camping is sold out. Without telling us she’s bought a day ticket. The only issue for me is the travel. She could get herself from our home town to Manchester and then a train to Leeds and then figure out getting to the park in the morning but I’m really worried about the return journey. Me and her dad have a prior commitment so can’t pick her up and the thought of her getting across the venue to some sort of transport, then to Leeds, to Manchester to home on her own is dangerous. I’m seriously considering telling her she can’t go. Sticking together is always key and with this scenario she’ll be doing a lot of wandering around alone.
I hope your son has a fantastic time.

There are shuttle busses from Leeds train station to the site. I assume that’s for day trippers as well as the full weekend but definitely worth checking. Depending on her age I would be wary of her being on her own. The last act finishes at just before 11pm so it’s late to be getting home alone.

Jo14357 · 23/08/2026 23:58

BurntBroccoli · 19/07/2026 00:37

It’s mostly 17 and 18 year olds. I will say though that the year my YP went, some idiots were setting fire to tents and so they had to sleep in their car (they’d driven there).

Parents were also picking up their kids due to this.

Yes this always happens on the Sunday night with the tents so mine were picked up on the Sunday at 11pm.

OnTheBoardwalk · 23/08/2026 23:33

I’m all for everything but this is a nope from me

as you say sticking together at any festival is key, I’ve sorted all sorts out in a group

what trains are even travelling at this time? I assume all local accommodation is booked up

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