"accessibility"
Accessible Car Parking
Accessible parking can be requested as part of your application.
- Accessible parking is free but must be requested when you apply for accessible facilities.
- Blue badge holders do not automatically qualify for accessible parking. This must be requested when you apply for accessible facilities.
- Accessible parking is limited to 1 parking pass per accessibility customer.
- By way of clarification, friends and family arriving in separate vehicles will not be able to park in the accessible car park and will need to park in the general car parks.
- RIP customers should follow the parking instructions included with their package.
If you are staying in the accessible campsite, you will have two options if you arrive by car.
Pick up and Drop Off for Private Vehicles and Taxis
If you are being dropped off at and/or picked up from the festival, please let us know as part of your application. More information about the pick up and drop off system will be available nearer the time.
Staying in the Accessible Campsite
If you are arriving by car and staying in the accessible campsite, you have two options on arrival.
Unload and Go:
- If you choose this option, you will drive onto the accessible campsite to unload your belongings. Please be aware that due to the large number of customers attending Download, there will be queues to use Unload and Go, particularly on Wednesday when the campsite opens.
- For health and safety reasons, you will not be permitted to drive to your pitch. Instead, your vehicle will be held in a designated area of the campsite. The campsite team will be on hand to assist you, if required.
- Unload and Go will only be available while it is safe for vehicles to enter the campsite. Once the campsite is at a certain level of occupancy, health and safety guidelines prevent us from allowing additional vehicles to enter.
- To reduce queuing times, we require the driver to move their vehicle from the campsite to the car park as soon as your belongings have been unloaded.
Park and Go:
- If you choose this option, you will go directly to the accessible car park to park. The distance from the car park to the accessible campsite entrance is approximately 330m over hardstanding. You can either make your own way or use the internal transport which will drop you at the campsite entrance.
- Park and Go is likely to be a quicker process than Unload and Go at peak times (particularly Wednesday).
Accessible viewing areas
There are various accessible viewing areas available within the arena and District X.
Raised Viewing Platform
Please note that applications for the raised viewing platforms have closed. The raised viewing platforms are at full capacity
Raised viewing platforms are available for wheelchair users and those with restricted mobility. Access to the platforms will be approved as part of your application.
Only the approved customer and their essential companion (or friend) will have access to the raised viewing platforms. This allows us to accommodate as many customers, who require use of this facility, as possible.
All raised viewing platforms have ramped access, wheelchair-accessible toilets, charging points, drinking water and a dedicated platform manager.
Limited seating is also available at each platform. We will be providing chairs that have a load-bearing capacity of 250 pounds (approximately 18 stone). If you have any questions or concerns regarding this, please get in touch with us at accessibility@download.co.uk.
Raised viewing platforms may get busy. Please note that these are operated on a first come first served basis.
Some raised viewing platforms are not covered so please dress appropriately for all weather conditions.
Ground viewing area
Please note that applications for the ground viewing area have closed. The ground viewing area is at full capacity.
Dedicated ground viewing areas are available for those who need a less crowded area and the option of sitting for short periods of time. Access to the ground viewing area will be approved as part of your application.
The ground viewing areas are situated in front of the raised viewing platforms and are separated from the main crowds by a barrier. These are primarily standing areas, although limited seating is available and is operated on a first come first served basis. We will be providing chairs that have a load-bearing capacity of 250 pounds (approximately 18 stone). If you have any questions or concerns regarding this, please get in touch with us at accessibility@download.co.uk.
Only the approved customer and their essential companion (or friend) will have access to the ground viewing areas. This allows us to accommodate as many customers, who require use of this facility, as possible.
Accessible toilets
Wheelchair accessible and standard toilets for accessibility customers are located across the arena and District X. They are available to all accessibility customers and their essential companions.
Changing places
In the arena and District X, there are changing places units featuring an adult changing bed, toilet, sink, and hoist. (Please note that hoist slings will not be available. Please remember to bring your own.)
Accessible entrance lanes
There are dedicated entrance lanes for accessibility customers to access the arena.
Accessibility information hubs
There are information hubs in the arena and District X for accessibility customers, staffed by our dedicated team.
Sensory calm spaces
There are Sensory Calm Tents located within the arena and District X. The aim of these spaces is to provide a safe, low-level stimulation and recalibration zone for any customers who need to use them.
Bars and merchandise stalls
Dedicated accessible lanes and accessible serving areas are available at each main bar and merchandise stall.
Please note that applications for the Accessible Campsite have now closed. The Accessible Campsite is now at full capacity.
Our accessible campsite is located next to the arena and has its own dedicated entrance. The campsite covers a large area, some of which is on an incline. Wherever possible, we aim to accommodate customers with mobility requirements on the flatter ground.
There are accessible routes throughout the campsite, comprising of temporary flooring and existing hardcore tracks.
Facilities
There is a dedicated accessibility team and stewards based in the campsite to assist you during your stay as well as with your bags on arrival.
The following facilities are available within this campsite:
- Wheelchair accessible and standard gender neutral toilets
- Wheelchair accessible and standard gender neutral showers
- Changing places unit featuring an adult changing bed, toilet, sink and hoist. (Please note that hoist slings will not be available. Please remember to bring your own.)
- Charging facilities for wheelchairs and medical equipment
- Accessible sink and drinking water points
- A dedicated accessibility information hub
- Kettle and hot water
- Secure cold fridge to store medication
- Essential electric power supply (if requested and approved)
- Food traders
- Merchandise stall
- Lockers to rent
Pitch size, group size and gazebos
We aim to accommodate as many customers as possible in the accessible campsite. To assist us with this, please be aware of the following:
- Please be respectful of your fellow campers and only bring tents appropriate for the size of your party.
- You will be permitted to camp with a maximum of three other people (this includes your essential companion).
- You may be asked to move or remove your gazebo if it is taking up too much space. We ask that you consider fellow campers when pitching your gazebo.
There will be a shuttle bus service for the benefit of accessibility customers. This will run between designated points around the site. More details of the routes and bus stop locations will be provided nearer the festival. Seating and water will be available at each shuttle bus stop.
There will be an accessible buggy service to take customers from the purple accessible car park to the accessible campsite. The buggy service will also be available to take customers between the accessible campsite and District X and the Co-op, to supplement the shuttle bus service.
Please note that the buggies cannot enter the arena or District X.
Before applying for the use of accessible facilities.
You need to have bought your Download Festival ticket before you apply. (Please note that there is no separate ‘accessibility’ ticket category).
Please do not buy a ticket for your essential companion. Essential companion tickets are allocated through the application process.
You will also need either to have a Nimbus Access Card or Digital Access Pass from one of the Live Nation events listed on the Nimbus website. If you don’t have one, you can register with Nimbus for a free Digital Access Pass.
Please note that registering for a Nimbus Access Card or Digital Access Pass is not the same as applying for the use of accessible facilities at the festival. You must still complete the application form once you have your Nimbus Access Card or Digital Access Pass.
Applying for the use of accessible facilities
- Have your ticket booking reference and your Nimbus Access Card or Digital Access Pass ready.
- Complete the Download Festival Accessible Facilities application form.
- The Download Accessibility Team will review your application.
- You’ll receive an email once it’s processed. The email will tell you what facilities you are approved to use. You should get the email within 5 working days.
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact us at accessibility@downloadfestival.co.uk.
Notes on completing the application form
- Please make sure you enter your personal details on the application form exactly as they appear on your Nimbus Access Card or Digital Access Pass. This includes the spelling of your name(s). If they don’t match exactly, it may delay your application being processed.
- Each accessibility customer wishing to apply for use of the accessible facilities should submit an individual application. Please do not include more than one person per application. This helps us ensure that everyone in your group gets the facilities they require.
Temporary impairments
Please note that our accessible facilities are unable to cater for people with temporary impairments. A temporary impairment is anything that affects an individual for less than 12 months such as broken bones, healing injuries or pregnancy.
Food
All Download customers are permitted to bring a small amount of food for personal consumption into the arena.
Accessibility customers are permitted to bring additional food in excess of the usual amount into the arena.
(This increased allowance applies to accessibility customers only and not to essential companions or friends and family.)
Drink
All Download customers are permitted to bring a sealed, unopened 500ml bottle of water or soft drink into the arena.
Accessibility customers are permitted to bring one sealed, unopened bottle up to 1.5l of water or soft drink into the arena.
(This increased allowance applies to accessibility customers only and not to essential companions or friends and family.)
Accessibility guide
Customers who have applied and been processed for accessible facilities will be sent an Accessibility Guide prior to the event.
Ground conditions / weather
Download Festival takes place at Donington Park.
The site has the benefit of existing hard standing and temporary trackway routes, in certain areas.
However, please be aware that the festival primarily takes place on grass fields with some sloping areas that are steep in sections.
It is also important to be aware that, during wet weather, the site is likely to become muddy and become more difficult to navigate.
Effect lighting
Smoke machines, strobe lights, lasers, fireworks, and other effects may be in use at this event. Anyone affected by these should bear this in mind.
Medical and welfare
Medical and welfare facilities are available throughout the festival.
Doctors, paramedics, first aiders, and fully equipped ambulances are based at the medical centre.
Security and stewards
In the unlikely event of an emergency or site evacuation, Security and Stewards are deployed throughout the festival. They will assist in moving everybody to a place of safety.
They are also briefed to offer information, help and support.
If you are unwell or require assistance, please approach a member of the Security and Stewarding Team who are clearly identifiable by their numbered tabards/shirts.
There is a dedicated accessible campervan area within the accessible campsite. This area is now at capacity.
If you want to be added to the waiting list for this area, please let us know in your application form. In the event that space becomes available, we will let you know.
- Campervan spaces are limited and sold on a first come first serve basis.
- Campervan tickets are supplementary to your festival ticket.
- You will be given a pitch measuring approximately 9m x 7m.
- Only one campervan ticket is required per pitch.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email the accessibility team at accessibility@downloadfestival.co.uk
There will be accessible toilets located within all general campsites.
Please be aware that the quiet campsite is located at the furthest distance from District X and the arena, to minimise the noise transfer.
The general campsites are located further from District X and the arena than the accessible campsite.
Assistance dogs will be approved on a case by case basis by the accessibility team. If you want to bring an assistance dog, please request this in your application. Your request will be reviewed by the accessibility team and we will let you know if it is approved.
A spending area will be available for assistance dogs.
For security reasons, we ordinarily only permit customers to bring a small bag (A4 size) into the arena.
Accessibility customers are entitled to bring a bigger bag into the arena (one bag only per accessibility customer).
Please contact accessibility@downloadfestival.co.uk
BSL Interpreting services
A British Sign Language performance interpreting service will be provided on request, providing reasonable notice is given in advance of the festival.
Please make sure you request this service on the Download Accessible Facilities Application form.
Customers who have requested this service will be contacted by the interpreting team for an understanding of which performances they would like covered; this is not guaranteed and subject to change.
Hearing loops
Hearing loops will be installed at all box offices and information hubs.
In RIP, we aim to create a camping experience that is accessible for all our customers by providing the below:
- Accessible shower & toilets units in each campsite (Park Farm, Sleepy Hollow, Metal Meadow 1, Metal Meadow 2)
- Charging points for devices such as portable medical machines or mobility scooters
For further information about accessible facilities at Download, please visit our accessibility page.
Please be aware that due to a high level of interest in our RIP packages, we cannot guarantee availability of your preferred accommodation as many are already sold out. If you have any specific accessibility requirements or concerns in RIP, please contact VIP Nation by sending an email to Download@vipnation.co.uk.
How do I book an Essential Companion ticket?
Accessibility applications are now open, please visit our accessibility page for more information. In the meantime, please secure your RIP Package. All guests (including potential essential companions) should ensure they are included in an RIP booking.
Once your application has been submitted & the approval for your Essential Companion(s) granted, a partial refund for the amount of the festival ticket included in the package will be processed. Please note the type of ticket included in RIP packages is a Weekend Arena Only ticket. Partial refunds for Essential Companions will reflect the face value of the ticket at the time your RIP booking was made.
On Site
When you check in to your RIP accommodation, please notify staff that you are an Accessibility customer – they should have your wristbands for the weekend, if there are any problems, please notify staff immediately so we can resolve this for you as swiftly as possible.
You can bring prescription medication to the festival but please ensure it is in the original packaging with the dispensary sticker intact.
If you need to bring in loose medication or medication that’s not in its original packaging, please also bring the prescription(s) with you.
Refrigerated medication storage is available in the accessible campsite, arena and District X.
Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana prescribed for daily use may be brought into the event.
Please bring the medication in its prescribed form together with the original prescription supporting its use for the entire duration of your time at the event. You may be asked to present this, along with identification matching the name on the prescription, upon entry.
No, these camping options are separate campsites and do not include RIP benefits like access to RIP or the Guest Area. Please note the Lounge is separate to the Guest Area but as RIP includes access to the Guest Area, we would not advise RIP customers to purchase the Lounge as well.
Melbourne Hall has a dedicated bar with craft beers, a tearoom in which to have a full English breakfast each morning and beautiful grounds in which to relax before heading into the main arena at Download. Visit Ticketmaster for more information on the Rock Retreat at Melbourne Hall.
If you have any further questions, please contact VIP Nation at download@vipnation.co.uk.
For information about the accessible campsite, please visit our accessibility page.
RIP (LITE) is the newest RIP addition, offering you the opportunity to camp in a secluded area of RIP with access to the RIP Village and all accompanying entertainment. Your car will be parked a short distance from your tent in Metal Car Park 2.
The primary differences between RIP (LITE) in Thunder Valley and RIP Camping in Park Farm or Sleepy Hollow are that the below are not included with RIP (LITE):
- Guest Area weekend access
- Car parking directly next to your tent*
- RIP’s ‘Doggie’ bag
- Festival programme
- Exclusive RIP 2026 T-Shirt
*Car parking will be in the adjacent Metal Car Park 2. You can choose to add 1 car pass per 2 people in your booking.
Please note, due to capacity restrictions in the Lounge, weekend Lounge upgrades are not included in RIP (LITE) bookings for 2026.
Locker Hire – £20
Keep your essentials safe with our 24hr CCTV monitored lockers, each equipped with a single USB charging port (please bring your own cable). Ideal for storing small personal belongings.
Locker size: 25cm (W) x 15.5cm (D) x 10cm (H)
Luxury Loo – £45
Enjoy upgraded comfort with access to our luxury toilets, cleaned regularly by our dedicated crew throughout opening hours. This package also grants entry to the Refresh Retreat Lounge, featuring hair care stations and dressing tables. Please note queues may form during peak times.
Silver Package – Toilets & Showers – £60
Upgrade your festival experience with access to both our luxury toilets and showers, professionally cleaned throughout opening hours. You’ll also gain entry to the Refresh Retreat Lounge. Please note queues may form during peak times.
Gold Package – Toilets, Showers & Locker – £75
Our most comprehensive offering includes secure locker access (with USB charging port), access to our luxury toilets and showers, and entry to the Refresh Retreat Lounge. Please be aware of potential queues during busy periods.
Please note, all packages will be available at our onsite ticket exchange (open 7am–1am). All facilities will be located in the general camping area and inaccessible to day ticket holders.
£1 from our car parking passes is donated to Trees for Cities. To date, 22 Standard trees have been planted in Derby, with 18 people engaged in planting events. 2,150 whips were planted in Nottingham across three sites, engaging 85 people including 12 children. 1500 whips were planted in Kirkby-in Ashfield.
- These projects all contribute towards increasing canopy cover, increasing biodiversity and contributing towards carbon sequestration, improving air quality for local communities.
- Trees For Cities also hope to increase inequalities around access to green space as studies have shown a correlation between higher levels of deprivation and lower levels of access to quality green space. These factors in turn lead to greater physical and mental wellbeing of local residents.
Booking accommodation to stay in either Metal Meadow 1 or 2, or the offsite hotels, gives you access to all things RIP including; weekend RIP Tickets for Download, Guest Area and RIP Village access, proper toilets and hot showers as well as the RIP ‘doggie’ bag with exclusive merchandise.
- Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult 18+. Every person in your party must have a valid RIP ticket to stay on the RIP campsites, including children.
- Under 5’s can stay in RIP Camping / Accommodations for no extra charge but please note that not all accommodations can accommodate additional guests and no beds or bedding will be provided. More information about age restrictions can be found in the FAQ section below.
- Strictly NO GAS canisters or petrol fuelled cookers will be allowed anywhere on site. Please see our list of things you can and can’t bring for a list of alternatives and to check on other prohibited items/substances before you pack.
- Please raise BBQ’s and camping stoves at least 30cm off the ground to avoid burning the site. Bricks are available for you to use, please ask the RIP Reception. Open campfires are strictly prohibited. BBQs and open campfires are strictly prohibited in the Metal Forest.
- Rock by day and rest by night. RIP areas are quiet campsites, so please keep noise to a minimum after 1am. Please respect your neighbours by observing the quiet time. Remember accommodation walls aren’t as thick as your walls back home!
- All RIP packages, except RIP (LITE) include access to the Guest Area and exclusive RIP merchandise.
- Please note some noise caused by festival production / vehicles and the nearby airport will be unavoidable.
- The stated locations of campsites are the expected locations but please note there may be changes to the layout subject to production requirements.
- Please do not post pictures or screenshots of your tickets online when you receive them, as people can use that information to replicate your ticket and gain entry.
- Live Nation reserves the right to eject those disturbing the peace without readmission or refund.
- Take a look at our VIP Nation terms & conditions and our Download Festival terms & conditions.
- Ticketmaster UK Limited is selling these packages on behalf of VIP Nation who are solely responsible for delivering the package & the quality of the products and services to be provided.
Both Weekend Arena and Day ticket holders can access District X South (including the Co-op, and the Megastore).
An essential companion ticket is provided, free of charge, to those customers who would be unable to attend without the help and support of another person.
Please do not buy a ticket for your essential companion. These are allocated through the application process. Please note that this is different if you are buying an RIP package, or staying in Rock Retreat. For more information about the essential companion ticket process in those cases, please visit page 4 of the RIP FAQs.
Your essential companion must be aged 18 or over. They must be willing and able to fulfil all your requirements and must provide assistance to you during the unlikely event of an evacuation or other emergency.
If the customer approved for an essential companion is a child of 12 years or under, they must also be accompanied by an adult that has purchased a ticket. The child cannot attend the festival with the essential companion alone.
If you need different people to assume the role of your essential companion throughout the festival, please indicate this on your application in the Additional Information section.
Disposable BBQs are allowed in the campsites. They must be for personal use only.
Certain cooking stoves are also permitted. For more details, please see our Things you can and can’t bring page.
We do not handle the hire of mobility scooters directly. Please make your own arrangements with your chosen provider.
Please see our Things you can and can’t bring page.
To park at Download Festival you will need to pre-purchase a Car Park or Motorbike Parking Pass. Head to Ticketmaster to purchase your pass, or alternatively visit our travel page for information on different travel options.
Last post dates:
Domestic customers: Thursday 4th June 2026 @ 5pm
International customers: Tuesday 26th May 2026 @ 5pm
For information about accessible parking, please visit our accessibility page.
To park at Download Festival you will need to purchase a car park pass in advance.
Look out for our Driving To Download Guide with information on which car park to head to and your best driving route nearer the festival.
£1 from our car parking passes is donated to Trees for Cities. These projects all contribute towards increasing canopy cover, increasing biodiversity and contributing towards carbon sequestration, improving air quality for local communities.
If you’re travelling by car, please car share. You can find people looking for a lift or offer up your spare seats via Download Liftshare.
For information about accessible parking, please visit our accessibility page.
Yes, all RIP accommodations and bookings include RIP Weekend Festival Tickets to Download.
The Eco-Camp provides space for its campers to connect with and respect nature – a community who value spending time in the beautiful fields just as much as listening to their favourite bands. This is a place where everyone wants to keep their camp clean and recycling is second nature, a place to meet like-minded people.
There is no extra cost to stay in The Eco-Camp, it just requires every guest to sign up to the following principles:
- All guests agree to being responsible for their gear and take responsibility for any waste they produce.
- All guests agree to separate their recyclables in the recycling facilities and put any residual waste in the bins provided.
- All guests agree to leave the Eco-Camp exactly as they found it. All camping equipment that is brought in must be taken home again.
- Guests are encouraged to have fun, play, explore, respect fellow campers, and enjoy the wonderful, natural surroundings.
Visit our Tickets page for the Eco-Camp tickets (note to access you must hold a valid weekend camping ticket to Download Festival).
No, car passes are included with all RIP bookings, the quantity varies by booking type so please see below for more information.
If you have purchased RIP Park Farm or Sleepy Hollow, you can choose to add 1 or 2 complimentary car passes to your booking after you have added your tickets to the basket. For RIP accommodations, there is one pass per 3 guests automatically included in your booking, i.e. a Bell House for 4 includes 2 car passes.
Any extra car passes will be charged at the price of standard car park.
RIP Hotel bookers are not sent a car pass, as they have parking at their hotel included in their booking.
Please ensure you have the access to the address that’s stated in your Ticketmaster account as that is where your car pass will be posted to. Guidance on how to update your address can be found on Ticketmaster. The address is linked to the billing method used to pay for the booking.
We encourage car sharing to minimise our impact on the environment so please share the journey with your friends where possible!
Stay in our dedicated Campervan Campsite – bring your own caravan and enjoy exclusive parking, added on-site comfort, and easy access to the festival. See our campervan rules & info for more details.
Please note: Outside of Arena opening hours, access to District X from the Campervan field is provided via a dedicated shuttle bus service, running between District X South and the Campervan field.
All Download Family perks will be listed on the Download Family section of our website after we’ve sent our monthly benefit email. Log in to your account and go to your Family Feed to see the latest perks.
Check what you can and can’t bring before arriving at Donington (changes may apply for 2026 festival).
| Item | Arena | Campsites |
|---|---|---|
| Aerosols over 250ml | NO | NO |
| Airhorns and megaphones | NO | NO |
| Alcohol (must not be in glass bottles and only for over 18s only) | NO | YES (maximum quantity alcohol allowed - 1 x 24 can/plastic crate of beer/cider or drink of choice & 1L of spirit or wine in a plastic bottle per person) |
| Animals (other than approved assistance dogs) | NO | NO |
| Any alcohol in possession of anyone under 18 | NO | NO |
| Any goods for unauthorised trading | NO | NO |
| Any goods with unauthorised festival logos | NO | NO |
| Any items which may cause danger, offence or disruption to any other person | NO | NO |
| Any items which may reasonably be considered for use as a weapon | NO | NO |
| Audio recorders | NO | YES |
| Bags bigger than A4 size (30cm height x 8cm depth x 21cm width). For more information, please visit our accessibility page. | NO | YES |
| Bicycles / scooters / roller-skates / skateboards | NO | NO |
| Blow torches | NO | NO |
| Cameras, film or video equipment | YES* (Lens <6”) | YES |
| Camping equipment | NO | YES |
| Cans | NO | YES |
| Chairs | YES | YES |
| Cutlery | NO | YES |
| Deodorant roll on | YES | YES |
| Disposable BBQs and permitted cooking stoves (for personal use only): meth stoves (with maximum 1L methylated fuel/spirit), trangia stoves (with maximum 1L Trangia fuel), gel fuel, greenheat basecamp cooker, firelighter stoves. fuel limited to 1L maximum per stove* | NO | YES |
| Drinks bottles (other than sealed plastic water/soft drinks bottles 500ml or under & empty reusable bottles of any size metal or plastic - no glass). For more information, please visit our accessibility page. | NO | YES |
| Drones or other unmanned aerial vehicles* | NO | NO |
| Excessive amounts of cigarettes (more than personal consumption) | NO | NO |
| Excessive amounts of food (more than personal consumption). For more information, please visit our accessibility page. | NO | NO |
| Firewood | NO | NO |
| Fireworks / pyrotechnics | NO | NO |
| Flags with poles | NO | YES (there will be some exclusion zones for this) |
| Flags without poles | YES | YES |
| Flares/distress flares/smoke bombs | NO | NO |
| Food - including hampers / cool bag / boxes. For more information, please visit our accessibility page. | NO | YES |
| Gazebos | NO | YES (within reasonable size limits)** |
| Generators (exemption for generators in caravans) | NO | NO |
| Glass | NO | NO |
| Golf umbrellas | NO | YES |
| Hexamine / hexi tablets | NO | NO |
| Illegal substances | NO | NO |
| Individual camping gas canisters (exemption for gas canisters fitted within campervans). | NO | NO |
| Leatherman multi tools | NO | NO |
| Legal Highs / New Psychoactive Substances | NO | NO |
| Medication (if accompanied by a prescription) | YES | YES |
| Nitrous oxide and any associated equipment (balloons, Co2 dispensers, cream dispensers) | NO | NO |
| Paper lanterns or sky lanterns | NO | NO |
| Perfume in small bottles | YES | YES |
| Petrol burners | NO | NO |
| Portable laser equipment and pens | NO | NO |
| Rooftop tents | NO | YES (campervan site only) |
| Small hammers for pitching tents | NO | YES |
| Sound systems / portable speakers | NO | NO |
| Tin openers | NO | YES |
| Umbrellas | NO | YES |
| Unidentifiable substances | NO | NO |
| Unofficial tabards or reflective jackets | NO | NO |
Please note that there will be no receipts issued for any confiscated/surrendered items and they will not be available to collect after the festival.
Campfires and Gas
Open campfires are not allowed at Download Festival. Anyone that starts a fire or throws toxic or dangerous items onto a fire leaves themselves liable for eviction.
NO GAS canisters or petrol fuelled cookers will be allowed anywhere on site. There will be no exception to this rule, anyone found using gas may be asked to leave site!
Alternatively please use one of the following: meth stoves including fuel, trangia stoves, solid fuel, gel stoves, green base camp cooker and firelighter stoves.
Any liquid fuel such as Meth Stoves (with 1L methylated fuel/spirit max) and/or Trangia Stoves (1L Trangia fuel max) should be in a sealed original container to ensure that it can be used and stored safely.
Please raise BBQ’s and camping stoves at least 30cms off the ground to avoid burning the site.
Do not use BBQ’s inside of tents.
For more information, please read our guide to cooking at #DLXXIII.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, highly poisonous gas that can kill in minutes. Never take a portable barbecue – or lit charcoal – into an enclosed space like a tent or caravan. Make sure exhaust fumes from generators are properly vented away from occupied areas.
If you think you have potentially be exposed to carbon monoxide gas from a BBQ or gas powered heater whilst at the festival, please contact a steward immediately.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Tiredness and confusion
- Stomach pain
- Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
Drones
Just a friendly reminder that drones are strictly prohibited, given the proximity to East Midlands Airport. This is a very serious offence, and police will be onsite to enforce this. Arrests have been made in the past, please don’t miss out on Download by doing this!
Illegal Substances
Download Festival does not condone the use and supply of illegal drugs on site. For more information, take a look at our drugs policy.
Fancy Dress & Costume Guidelines
We love seeing your creativity however for everyone’s safety and comfort, we ask that you don’t bring any fake or replica weapons, including toy guns, swords, or other realistic-looking props. These items can cause confusion during security checks and may be mistaken for real weapons by our team or the police. They can also be distressing to other festival-goers. Similarly, we ask that you do not bring masks that will obscure your face.
Upgrade your experience for access to our 24 hour reception, pamper area, showers & flushing toilets.