Flags at Glastonbury: A Tradition Under Scrutiny Amidst Calls for Protest and Concerns Over Excess
Glastonbury Festival, renowned for its vibrant atmosphere, has long embraced flags as a defining visual element – a way for attendees to locate friends and express themselves. However, this tradition is facing increasing scrutiny, with debates ranging from concerns over flag visibility and authenticity to calls for using them as a platform for political statements, particularly regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
For many,flags are an integral part of the Glastonbury experience. As one festival-goer put it in an online forum, “The problem with the flags thes days is that every f**ker brings one, most of which are half arsed or unfunny, purely to be seen on TV or in the hope of an act pointing them out.” This sentiment highlights a growing frustration with what some perceive as a performative aspect of flag-bearing at the festival.
Did you know?-Glastonbury Festival started in 1970, the day after Jimi Hendrix died.About 1,500 people attended, paying £1 for entry, which included free milk from the Worthy Farm.
The debate isn’t new. Approximately 15 years ago, festival organizers even polled attendees on a potential flag ban, acknowledging the rising complaints. “Our gut feeling here at Festival HQ is that they shouldn’t be banned, as we think they add to the magic of a big Pyramid stage performance. But we wanted to find out what you folks think,” the Glasto team stated at the time. ultimately, 55% of voters from 71 countries opted to keep the flags, securing their place in the festival’s landscape.
Reader question:-Beyond visibility, what other purposes do you think flags serve at large festivals like Glastonbury? Do they enhance the experience, or detract from it?
Though, the increasingly polarized global climate has introduced new complexities. Discussions have emerged regarding the appropriateness of certain flags and whether any restrictions should be imposed. Online forums have become a space for strategizing how to visibly demonstrate support for Palestine amidst the conflict in Gaza. “Flags,” one online profile asserted, “They’re an iconic part of Glastonbury, so the reappropriation of them for protest makes them fit in to the wider festival. They’re also really visible, they will be noticed. You can get them in the shot for the TV cameras, shown on the BBC who haven’t been exactly golden on the whole situation. You should join your mates and all bring flags. Power in numbers. Maybe bring spares to give to people to hoist.”
Despite these discussions, Glastonbury itself has not explicitly banned any specific flags. The festival champions political discourse at its Speaker’s Forum and allows artists to express their views during performances, suggesting a commitment to freedom of expression. Organizers did not respond to inquiries regarding a specific flag policy at the time of reporting.
While the festival maintains a relatively open approach to flags, it does enforce a comprehensive list of prohibited items. Beyond the expected restrictions on weapons and illegal substances, attendees are barred from bringing glass containers, drones, excessive alcohol, and even plastic cutlery.The full list of ‘contraband’ items for 2025 includes:
- Excessive amounts of cigarettes (any amount over personal use for the duration of the event)
- Excessive amounts of alcohol (any amount over personal use for the duration of the event)
- Excessive amounts of soft drinks (anything over personal use for the duration of the event)
- Glass containers / bottles (likely to cause harm to livestock)
- Sound systems (without written approval)
- Knives (without written approval)
- Weapons and potential weapons; anything adapted for such a purpose
- Unauthorised or counterfeit merchandise; with or without the Glastonbury Festival or Pilton Party logo
- Body piercing equipment
- Flares; such as emergency or distress flares manufactured for legitimate military, maritime or transport purposes (under any circumstances)
- Smoke Bombs
- Fireworks, including sparklers (without written approval)
- generators (without written approval)
- Lasers / Laser Pens
- Plastic or polystyrene disposable plates, trays, cups, mugs or plastic cutlery
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s); commonly known as ‘Drones’ or ‘Remotely Piloted Aircraft’
- Chinese / Sky Lanterns
- Kites
- Professional tape recorders, film and video equipment (without written approval)
- Forged tickets and wristbands or an access pass of any description
- All substances defined as a ‘Psychoactive Substance’ under the new Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.These substances will be those substances previously referred to as ‘Legal highs’ and will include herbal materials, powders, tablets, crystalline substances, gas or liquids and might potentially be packaged and marked as ‘smoking materials’, ‘research chemicals’, ‘room deodorisers’, ‘herbal incense’ and ‘cream chargers’, some may even state the product is not for ‘human consumption’
- Nitrous Oxide in any form (without written approval)
- Alkyl Nitrates (or else known as Poppers)
- Any object that GFEL considers to be potentially dangerous.
Glastonbury festival, which describes itself as a celebration of “the best of human endeavour, with ideals of peace, unity, respect and hope,” appears to be navigating a delicate balance between upholding freedom of expression and maintaining a safe and inclusive surroundings. As the festival evolves, the role of flags – and the messages they carry – will undoubtedly continue to be a subject of discussion and debate.
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Beyond the Fabric: The Deeper Meanings and Practicalities of Flags at Glastonbury
The flags at Glastonbury, while offering a vibrant spectacle, serve purposes beyond mere decoration or locating friends in the crowd. They are a part of the unique culture and history of the festival. From personal expression to political statements, flags become a way for attendees to connect with each other and the larger event. The visual language of flags is powerful, and how they are used at Glastonbury is an ongoing conversation.
While a simple search for “Glastonbury flag policy” yields no official specific rules, the existing guidelines on prohibited items [[1]] implicitly influence what flags are appropriate. the festival’s stance on freedom of expression,allows for broad interpretation. Yet, the scale of the festival, with its diverse demographic, invites considerations about inclusivity and potential for offense.
what purposes do flags serve beyond visibility? Flags can signal group affiliation, celebrate shared interests, and commemorate specific events. They can also act as conversation starters, fostering a sense of community among attendees. The flags give a visual portrayal of the diverse backgrounds and perspectives present at Glastonbury.
How do flags add to the overall Glastonbury experience? Flags enhance the visual spectacle of performances, amplifying the energy of
