Filthiest Festivals Revealed

UK festivals are among the richest in the world, but they are also the filthiest.

Two people are standing in a pile of trash at a festival.

The UK festival scene is hands down one of the richest in the world , but it's also one of the filthiest.

A new study conducted by SpaSeekers has revealed the top ten filthiest festivals in the UK. The reasearch was conducted via a survey which sampled 500 festival-goers nationwide and asked them questions regarding their personal hygiene during these events. The topics revolved around how often they shower, change their underwear and brush their teeth while they are running wild in these hedonistic, happy-go-lucky locations.

The muck-covered trophy for the dirtiest festival in the UK goes to Download Festival, where 40 per cent of attendees said they do not shower over the full five-day weekend and only one-in-ten actually brush their teeth.

Creamfields takes the prize for dirtiest underwear, with 13 per cent confessing that they do not change their filthy undergarments once over the course of the festival.

Check out the ranking below (from dirtiest to cleanliest)

1. Download Festival
2. Creamfields
3. Reading and Leeds Festival
4. V Festival (now known as RiZE)
5. BBC Big Weekend
6. Wireless Festival
7. Isle of Wight Festival
8. Parklife
9. Bestival
10. Latitude

The study also revealed the average amount of sleep that an individual grabs on any given night at each of these festivals. Download Festival ranked best with four hours and eighteen minutes while Bestival ranked worst with an average of three hours and two minutes. Perhaps Bestival's ranking had something to do with the fact that a number of substances sold at the event this year kept people up for four days.

Overall, the average amount of z's a festival attendee will grab at any one of these events comes down to 3 hours and 33 minutes.

Credit: Mixmag

The little south logo is on a blue background.

Written by

Editorial Team • 23 September 2018
by Editorial Team 5 September 2025
Youth Music unveils ambitious £2.25M fund to enhance arts access for young people.
by Editorial Tem 5 September 2025
Ben Lawrence delivers a podcast mix influenced by his live club DJ sound, reflecting his current artistic direction. In our catch up, Ben discussed his year highlights, what he enjoys most about DJing and the artists who have shaped his sound.
by Editorial Team 24 August 2025
We are excited to welcome Fatboy Tim into our spotlights with a tribute mix to Fatboy Slim’s “Everybody Loves a Carnival”. This exclusive DJ mix features big rhythms, tropical percussion, and a full-on street party feel. The carnival music features vibrant elements that evoke a sun-soaked atmosphere.
by Editorial Team 20 August 2025
The proposed outdoor event at Pendennis Castle in Falmouth has been cancelled. Initially scheduled for September 2025, the event was set to feature orchestral renditions of popular dance anthems. A large stage was to be erected within the castle grounds, which would have provided a picturesque backdrop
by Editorial Team 11 August 2025
We are pleased to welcome the return of South West house DJ Andy Bacon to our podcast series. This mix features deep disco elements and heavy grooves. In this feature, Andy discusses several events that have significantly influenced his year so far, as well as sharing insights into his upcoming plans in Plymouth.
by Editorial Team 2 August 2025
On Saturday, October 11th, 2025, renowned trance artists Lange and The Space Brothers will perform alongside Torquay’s own Trance music duo, The Beri Brothers, at Arena, a newly opened live music venue in Torquay. The event will commence at 4 PM, featuring a competition winner to kick off the evening.
Show More