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General Information 

Volunteering at Houghton is a light touch work experience for those interested in entering the festival world as a career path. You are able to work alongside experienced teams to assist and gain valid experience while also having the opportunity to enjoy the festival outside of your shifts.

Volunteer Arrival Date: Wednesday 5th August 2026

Volunteer Departure Date: Monday 10th August 2026

Shifts: Each volunteer has the opportunity to do up to 3 x 8 hour shifts at the festival. It is worth noting that not all shifts may happen over the festival weekend and one of these shifts could potentially be on Monday, meaning departure may not be until 5pm. Please take this into account when applying & making travel arrangements.

* Decor & site office runner team shifts are different.

Deposit: Cost of a festival ticket (refundable)

Camping: Crew camping available

Catering: One meal token per shift

* Please read the below descriptions on the different roles available before applying.

Application form opens on Wednesday 24th February 2026. Last year we had an outstanding 500 applications and only 80 spots.

Applications close on Monday 20th April, and successful applicants will be notified by 15th May 2026 (If you have not heard anything back by then unfortunately your application was unsuccessful).

Apply here

Due to the ever changing nature of festivals our volunteer team may need to be flexible and therefore roles are subject to change or adaptation to meet changes at any time. You will always be working with an on site team who are there for support and guidance during your shifts.

Festival volunteering is great fun, but it can also be physically demanding. The majority of our volunteer roles require you to be on your feet for the duration of your shift. As it can sometimes be tiring the festival has on site crew welfare available and we also work with a team of Guardians who are the there to support festival audiences and crew in looking after themselves.

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Roles and Responsibilities

Campsite Stewarding

Our Festival Stewarding Team are the eyes and ears of the festival. You work with our campsite managers in maintaining the best experience for festival-goers, with a major focus on friendliness and helpfulness. 

This role includes:

  • Stewards will be positioned in the campsites to help maintain a pleasant experience, and ensure festival-goers are able to seek assistance and report any issues in these areas. 

Gate Team

Our Gates Teams are the first point of contact for all festival-goers on arrival. Working alongside our gates manager is part of the role with the aim to give audiences a warm welcome on arrival. 

This role includes:

  • Welcome Team: Stewards will work at the entry points and routes to the event, ensuring festival-goers know where and how to enter the event safely and quickly.
  • Ticket Scanning: Stewards will work with gate manager for scanning festival-goers’ tickets when they enter the festival, as well as redirecting issues and queries to the relevant location/people.
  • Wristbanding: These stewards will work with the ticket scanners to wristband festival-goers. 
  • Queue Stewarding: Under the guidance of the gate manager stewards will be responsible for helping to manage queues at points of entry to the festival. This includes directing people to the correct queues for their ticket type, directing the crowd to the designated queuing area and ensuring general welfare is available at the perimeter of the site.

Decor Team

You will be working with the creative production team, to install the design and decor across the site and stages. Please note this role has different working dates for the build and break of the festival.

  • Build dates: Arrive Sunday 2nd August to start Monday 3rd till Thursday 6th August.
  • Friday 7th - Sunday 9th: time off to enjoy the festival
  • Break dates: Monday 10th August

* Catering: 3 meal tokens each shift

Karmie

You will be located at The Orchard working with the Wellness managers. Assisting the stage managers in the running of the area, including the wellness schedule, managing guest access to classes, tidying the dome / cleaning equipment used, hosting the sauna desk, tidying the Orchard grounds furniture etc. You will also be taking bookings for the massage therapists.

Green team - Eco Bear

We made a commitment to be an environmentally responsible festival. The festival is constantly putting new measures in place to improve our sustainability.  EcoBear volunteers are there to help the Ecobear manager with on site initiatives in place. You will mostly be located in the campsite where you’ll actively contribute to sustainability efforts of the beautiful Houghton Festival site. Help us reduce waste, promote recycling, encourage campers to take their tent home and create a greener & cleaner festival for everyone to enjoy.

Site office Runner

Based in the festival’s Site Office, you’ll be working with the site office team for general assistance across departments. This role involves  errands, deliveries, and supporting them with communication between teams on site. 

Artist Liaison

The Artist Liaison Team is the friendly link between the festival and the performers. From welcoming artists on arrival to keeping everything running smoothly backstage, this team ensures artists have the best possible experience. With the festival running over 24hrs the artists liason team in place is very extensive. Getting industry experience in this team will feature accreditation, coordinating transport, or lending a hand where needed, you’ll be part of a dynamic, supportive crew working behind the scenes to make the festival happen.

Role could include:

* Accreditation Assistant
 Help manage artist check-ins, organising wristbands, car passes, and accreditation packs. Be the friendly point of contact for artists arriving at the festival.

* Artist Liaison Assistant
 Work backstage with the Artist Liaison Manager team to support artists on the stage, helping with load-ins/outs, preparing artist riders, and keeping the area welcoming and organised.

* Logistics Assistant
 Support the Logistics Manager team to ensure artist transport runs smoothly. Use the radio to communicate updates and assist with artist movements around the site.

* Runner Assistant 
A helping hand across the Artist Liaison team, stepping in wherever extra support is needed. Stay adaptable, positive, and efficient — ready to tackle a variety of tasks and keep everything running smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How old do I need to be?

    To volunteer at Houghton Festival you must be 18 on the day you are required to arrive on site for your first festival. We also welcome older and more experienced individuals. It’s great to have a variety of skills and to learn from each other while enjoying the festival together. 

  • Do I pay a deposit?

    Yes you need to pay the price of a festival ticket which is a refundable deposit. This acts as a bond to ensure that you attend and complete all your responsibilities onsite. 

    Your deposit will be returned to you 4 weeks after the festival. This deposit will be returned if you attend all your shifts satisfactorily. This means checking in at the volunteer hub before your shift, attending and being on time for all your shifts, and returning any tabards or radios. 

  • I am not from the UK. Can I volunteer?

    Yes, in some cases! You can volunteer at our festival if you are:

    • From the Common Travel Area (UK, Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man), or
    • An EU/EEA citizen with Settled or Pre-Settled Status, European Temporary Right to Remain, or a Working Holiday Visa.

    If you hold another type of visa, please check whether it allows you to volunteer before applying.

    Please note:

    • Visitors from the EU can volunteer for up to 30 days in total.
    • Unfortunately, we can’t provide or sponsor volunteer visas.
  • My friends are camped in the public area. Can I join them?

    We are afraid not. Space is limited and allocated based on how many tickets the festivals have sold. In addition, we need to ensure your welfare while volunteering. You can ofcourse go and visit them when you are not on shift.

  • Can I bring a live-in vehicle(motorhome/caravan)?

    Yes! But you must specify this on the Transport section of your profile.

    Once sited, your live-in must remain static for the duration of the show, to minimise unnecessary vehicle movement in our campsite. If you leave the site in your vehicle you may not be allowed back in.

  • What should I bring?

    You will need to provide your own camping equipment such as a tent, airbed and sleeping bag.

    Make sure you have clothes suitable for extreme weather conditions, hot and cold / rain. We recommend always bringing a raincoat, wellington boots and a warm jumper as well as a sunhat and sunscreen. We can provide emergency ponchos, earplugs and sun cream if needed.

    The festival takes place early August in the UK so expect all weather types and the evenings can be cold so it’s essential to bring layers if you are working in the evening.

    Don’t forget your travel mug and water bottle.

    Bring some good footwear. You need good solid shoes, boots or wellies to wear on shift.

    Please check the website information page for detailed information regarding restricted items.

  • What facilities are there?

    The volunteer hub is where you go to check in each day along with it being a place to chill out before or after your shift. There is a tea and coffee station, phone charging points and a chill out area. 

    You have access to crew toilets and shower facilities in the crew campsite.

  • How do I cancel my place if I can't make it?

    There is a cancellation deadline of 6 weeks before the festival.

    If you need to cancel your place before the cancellation deadline you won’t be charged a fee, but after the deadline with no valid reason you will lose all the deposit. 

    If you have valid reason and can provide evidence you will be charged an admin fee of £20. 

    To cancel, please email us with ‘CANCEL’ as the subject heading to volunteers@houghtonfestival.co.uk with your details, and the reason.

  • Can I volunteer the same shifts with my friend?

    We do our very best to make sure you’re on the same shifts, but it can’t be guaranteed. Make sure you arrange your shift partner before signing up, and have their full name, and date of birth.

  • When can I leave?

    As soon as you have completed your final shift, handed back your tabard and given us your bank details so we can process a refund where applicable.