Why Glastonbury Festival Is Taking a Break in 2026
Hey everyone, let’s talk about something that might disappoint a lot of music fans — but also makes a lot of sense when you look a bit deeper. Glastonbury Festival, one of the most iconic music festivals in the world, won’t be happening in 2026. That’s right — no tents, no Pyramid Stage, no muddy fields packed with music lovers. But don’t worry, it’s not due to any crisis or controversy. It’s actually a planned move by the organisers, known as a “fallow year.”
So what’s a fallow year, exactly? It’s a concept borrowed from farming — something that makes perfect sense when you remember Glastonbury is held on a real, working farm: Worthy Farm. The idea is to give the land time to rest and regenerate, to allow the soil to recover, and to let the cows roam freely again after hosting hundreds of thousands of visitors.
Emily Eavis, co-organiser of the festival and part of the legendary Eavis family behind Glastonbury, said it’s all about sustainability. “It gives the land a rest, it gives the cows a chance to be out for longer and reclaim their land,” she explained. It’s a thoughtful and responsible decision — one that keeps the spirit of the festival in harmony with nature. After all, Glastonbury has always been about more than just music. It’s about community, creativity, and care for the environment.
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The last official fallow year was back in 2018. Of course, 2020 and 2021 were also non-starters because of the pandemic. But this 2026 break is intentional — and it’s part of a regular cycle to ensure the festival can keep going for generations to come. As Emily put it, “We are once again due a fallow year.”
The break isn’t just good for the land — it’s a breather for the entire village of Pilton, where the festival takes place. Hosting hundreds of thousands of people takes a toll on the local infrastructure and residents. A pause gives everyone — from festival staff to volunteers to locals — a chance to recharge.
And don’t worry — 2025 is still happening in full swing. That means if you’re planning to go, this year is the time to soak it all in. Take your tent, take your energy, and most importantly, take your rubbish home with you. That’s part of the "leave no trace" philosophy Glastonbury is really pushing for. They’ve already banned single-use plastic, glass bottles, and even things like flares and lanterns, all to protect the farm and the surrounding environment.
In the words of Michael Eavis, the festival’s founder: “We are striving to leave as little an imprint on the land here as we possibly can.” Glastonbury has never been just about music — it’s about respecting the space that makes it all possible.
So while there’s no Glastonbury in 2026, it’s not a cancellation — it’s a conscious pause. A moment to let the land breathe so that we can come back stronger, greener, and even more magical in 2027.
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