New to festivals - taking teenager - advice needed please

[2026funtimes]

Thinking we love music but neither of us does well without sleep. We can stay on site in a pre pitched tent or stay in a hotel but that would mean a bus and train at the end of the day which could be very late. We will be travelling by Eurostar so can’t take much and I’m wondering if my back will survive 4 nights on an airbed!
Would you stay on site?
Also I’m really excited to go but is a festival fun at 50?! Have toilets and showers improved?

Why not start a new thread with the name of the festival you’re going to in your title? That way people who have knowledge or experience of that particular event will be able to advise you.

Yeah - there are so many variables here it is hard to advise. As you are getting the Eurostar I am assuming the festival is in France or Belgium (or possibly the Netherlands?)

Are you travelling to England or out of England?

@2026funtimes please come back, before the thread fills up with people asking necessary questions.

No one seeing your thread title will know if it’s relevant to them or not.

Sorry at work all day. Rock Wechter. And wondering whether to camp or stay in Brussels.
i was wondering around festivals generally though, whether it’s non stop partying teens/20s. Whether it’s any more civilised than 30 years ago.

I've not been but the bill is pretty varied and fairly mainstream so I suspect there will be a big age cross section in the crowd. My 50 something colleague goes every year and loves it.

As for camping, well only you can make that decision. Belgium has pretty much tnr same weather as the UK so rain is a possiblity!. Belgium is a small countrt and thr public transport is pretty decent if you do decidd to use a hotel. However if it is a trek you may wish you had chosen to stay on site to really get the atmosphere.

Also if you do decide to use a hotel stay in Leuven rather than Brussels, it is nearer and (I think) nicer than Brussels.

Finally you may not get so many crazed teens at festivals in Belgium as they can drink beer and wine legally from 16.