Information

Accessible Campsites

Our accessible campsites are secure, safe spaces where the accessibility team and stewards will be based throughout the festival to assist you. The following
facilities are available within these campsites.

• A dedicated accessibility information hub.
• Wheelchair accessible and standard unisex toilets.
• Wheelchair accessible and standard unisex showers.
• Accessible routes.
• 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.
• Kettle and hot water.
• Secure cold fridge to store medication.
• Essential electric power supply (if requested and approved).
• Food traders.
• Merchandise stand.
• Lockers to rent.

Accessible viewing areas

There are raised viewing platforms and ground viewing areas available within the arena and District X.

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.

Changing places units

There are changing places units featuring an adult changing bed, toilet, sink, and hoist.

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 two 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

Dedicated accessible lanes are available at each main bar. This section of the bar has a lowered counter and bypasses the main queuing system.

For enquiries about accessibility, please contact accessibility@downloadfestival.co.uk
You can also visit our accessibility page.

For information about the accessible campsite, please visit our accessibility page.

If you have any queries that aren’t answered in our FAQs, we have a dedicated accessibility team working all year round to assist customers who can be contacted by emailing accessibility@downloadfestival.co.uk.

Both Weekend Arena and Day ticket holders can access District X South (including the Co-op, and the Megastore).

£1 from our car parking passes is donated to Trees for Cities, who have this year celebrated planting their two millionth urban tree! Recent local projects coming from Download Festival’s involvement include 22 Standard trees 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. 1,500 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.

Stay in our dedicated Campervan Campsite! Bring your own caravan and enjoy exclusive parking, added onsite comfort and easy access to the festival. Read our Campervan Rules & Info for more details.

Please note, access to District X from the Campervan field, outside of Arena opening hours, is provided via a dedicated shuttle bus service that runs between District X South and the Campervan field.

New for 2027, all guests staying in the Campervan Campsite will need to purchase a 5 or 3 Night Campervan / Caravan (Event Ticket), plus a Campervan / Caravan (Vehicle) pass per vehicle. There will be 2 options to select from when making your booking.

Please note, Campervan / Caravan (Event) tickets + Campervan / Caravan (Vehicle) Pass tickets are now sold out.

1. Campervan / Caravan – Adult *Inc Campervan / Caravan (Vehicle) Pass* – this includes your event ticket and will automatically add on your vehicle pass during check out.
2. Campervan / Caravan (Event Ticket) – Adult or Child *Ticket Only* – this is your event ticket only, at check out you will need to accept and confirm that you have already purchased your 3 or 5 Night Campervan / Caravan (Vehicle) pass or that you are staying with someone else who has a Campervan / Caravan (Vehicle) pass booking.

If you have any questions regarding your Campervan booking, please contact info@downloadfestival.co.uk who will be happy to assist.

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.

Download Festival has a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and discrimination against all members of the festival community, including our customers, staff, artists and vendors.

It is an objective of the Festival to ensure that Download is accessible to all, regardless of religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender presentation, disability, body size, national origin, citizenship, race or age, and that it provides a safe and enjoyable experience for all in attendance.

Any person at the Festival who is found to be in breach of this policy and to have engaged in behaviour deemed to be harassing or discriminatory in nature may be liable to eviction from the event site. Such behaviour includes, but is not limited to, offensive verbal comments, physical intimidation and assault, unwelcome physical attention and contact, stalking, non-consensual photography and video recording and disability discrimination.

If you experience or witness anything that makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, please report this to a member of staff, who will be able to assist. Additionally, there are a number of support services on site that can help you. These include, but are not limited to:

• A dedicated welfare support service based within both District X and the Arena. These are located next to the medical tents in each of these areas.
• Help Hubs are located throughout the campsites. These are staffed by members of one of the Festival’s welfare providers and will be able to support you with any concerns you may have. These staff members will also be based within the Information Hubs in both District X and the Arena.

Before you arrive

• Test your gear in advance.
• Set up your tent at home so you’re confident using it and know all parts are present.
• Tip: go for a double-layered tent, as single-skin tents may result in leakages and flooding!
• Remember, festivals are limited in space so please don’t bring an overly large tent if you don’t need it!

Pack for changing weather

• Bring waterproof clothing, warm layers for night-time and sun protection for daytime.
• Adding your name or a unique marker can help identify your gear if it gets misplaced.

Secure your tent properly

• Use all pegs and guy ropes to keep your tent stable in wind and crowded conditions.

Create a recognisable base

• Use a flag, coloured tape or distinctive feature so you can easily find your tent.
• Use a tent peg puller/remover to safely remove the tent pegs when dismantling. Do not pull on the guy lines.
• Always camp in allocated areas and look out for fire lanes – you’ll be asked to move if you pitch within these spaces.

Staying safe & comfortable

• Keep valuables with you or hire one of our lockers. These are located in Refresh Retreat and the Arena (near the Big Wheel). If you are staying in Accessible Campsite A or B, lockers are also available there.
• Only bring essentials and avoid leaving important items unattended in your tent.
• Light your way at night – a torch or headlamp is essential for navigating safely after dark.
• Be aware of your surroundings, know where welfare points, medical services and exits are located (see the Help Map for all key details).
• Plan how to reconnect with friends, as campsites can be disorienting – set meeting points in advance.

Stay hydrated and fuelled

• Drink plenty of water and keep snacks handy, especially after long days.

Fire & cooking safety

• Do not smoke inside tents!
• Open campfires are not allowed at Download Festival. Anyone who 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 and anyone found using gas may be asked to leave the 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 BBQs and camping stoves at least 30cm off the ground to avoid burning the site.
• Do not use any cooking appliances inside of tents.

Campervan fire safety

• Please refer to the Campervan Site Terms before coming to the site.
• It is recommended that all campervans have a fire alarm installed that is regularly tested. Additionally, it is recommended that a Carbon Monoxide detector is fitted.
• Make sure the campervan is well ventilated.
• Turn off all appliances before going to bed and leaving the vehicle and take special care whilst cooking.
• Keep a fire extinguisher within the van.

Looking after each other

• Respect your neighbours.
• Keep noise to a reasonable level, especially late at night.
• Look out for fellow campers.
• If someone seems unwell or unsafe, alert a member of our staff immediately!

Packing down & leaving

• Take everything home with you. This includes tents, chairs, and equipment – don’t abandon gear.
• Dispose of rubbish responsibly.
• Use bins and recycling points provided on site.
• Leave your pitch as you found it.
• Help keep the festival clean and safe for everyone.

Lockers will be available in the Main Arena, District X and the Accessible Campsites.

Upgrade your experience for access to our 24 hour reception, pamper area, showers & flushing toilets.

Check what you can and can’t bring before arriving at Donington.

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 Download.

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

Read more about BBQ Safety.

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.