YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
General Info
- Where is Medicine Festival?
- When is Medicine Festival?
- What are the opening and closing times for the Box Office?
- Wednesday 12th August: 11am - 10pm
- Thursday 13th August: 9am - 10pm
- Friday 14th August: 9am - 10pm
- Saturday 15th August: 10am - 10pm
- Sunday 16th August: 10am - 2pm
- When are opening and closing ceremonies?
We will have a number of collective moments on site where we will gather everyone at the festival and of course would love you all to be there too if you are able to join.
Opening Ceremony & Eclipse Celebration (Wednesday 4pm-11pm) - Main Stage and Sacred Glade
Collective Meditations (Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7-8pm) at the Goddess Fyr
Despacho Offering to the Land (Friday 10am - 12pm) at Main Stage
Closing Ceremony (Monday 11am - Midday) at the Goddess Fyr
- How can I report something I lost at the festival?
- Is there a community hotline for local residents during the festival?
- Do you offer help with getting to the campsite from the car parks?
- Is Medicine family friendly?
- Can we swim in the lake?
- Cash, Cards and Paying for things on site?
- What is the policy with Fires on site?
- FIRE SAFETY
- Disposable BBQs
- Camping stoves of any kind (gas, gel, alcohol, tablet)
- Gas canisters
- Portable fire pits or fire bowls
- Chinese/sky lanterns
- Fireworks, flares, and pyrotechnics
- Sparklers
- Candles and tea lights
- Incense and smudge sticks
- Lighter fluid, firelighters, and fire-starting products
- Never leave cooking equipment unattended
- Dispose of food waste thoughtfully using the bins provided
- Be mindful of shared space within busy camping areas
- What do you mean by 'Leave No Trace'?
- Take all camping equipment home with you
- Please be sure to check bin signs and separate your waste carefully
- Avoid single-use plastics in life, and on the Medicine lands.
- There's a couple of zero-waste shops in Reading and/or you can collect soft plastic film and return to supermarkets to recycle!
- Dispose of cigarette ends in General waste bins, they are toxic to land and animals
- Respect trees, wildlife, waterways, and natural spaces, and do not leave waste at your campsites
- Do not leave tents, chairs, gazebos, or broken equipment, please take them, or leave in waste pens
- Travel consciously and seek to share and offer lifts where possible
- Please answer our travel surveys, to help us calculate our carbon footprint as part of our Transparency movement.
- Is there anywhere I cannot smoke or vape on site?
- Are dogs or animals allowed?
- Is there phone charging on site?
- What is the phone signal like at the festival?
- What should I bring?
- Tent or live-in vehicle setup.
- Camping items - bed roll, sleeping bag, pillow and warm bedding etc.
- Earplugs and an eye mask.
- Waterproof clothing (raincoat, ponchos, wellies), sturdy footwear
- Plenty of layers of clothing for both warm and cool days/evenings.
- Sun protection, including a hat, scarf, parasol and natural sunscreen.
- Reusable water bottle and a mug or cup for hot drinks (Medicine bottles and cups will also be available to purchase on site).
- Torch or headlamp, with spare batteries if needed.
- Portable charger or power bank.
- Eco-friendly toiletries and biodegradable personal hygiene products.
- Non-toxic baby wipes.
- Shower towel, shower shoes, swim towel and swimmers.
- Any prescribed medication or personal wellbeing essentials.
- Yoga mat.
- Notebook and pen.
- Musical instruments if you feel called to bring.
- An offering for the community altars, if you feel called to bring one.
- If you smoke, please bring a canister for your cigarette butts.
- And perhaps most importantly: bring openness, kindness, and a willingness to slow down.
- Are there any prohibited items?
- Alcohol
- Single use plastics
- Illegal drugs, legal highs / NPS, and nitrous oxide (now a controlled Class C substance)
- Weapons of any kind - knives, blades, anything that could be used as one
- Glass (bottles, jars, containers)
- Fireworks, flares, Chinese lanterns, and explosives
- Gas canisters and unsealed/large fuel containers
- Generators
- Drones / unmanned aircraft
- Laser pens and high-powered torches
- Sound systems / amplified speakers
- Can I bring a drum?
Yes. Drumming has long been a cherished part of Medicine, bringing people together in rhythm, celebration and connection. Informal drum circles are a much-loved part of the gathering and are welcome at designated times throughout the festival.
As guests on this land, we're also committed to caring for our neighbours and the surrounding community. Drum circles can carry well beyond the festival site, so there will be times when drumming is asked to come to a close to help minimise noise for those living nearby.
If a member of the Medicine team or Security asks that drumming stops, we kindly ask that this is met with immediate cooperation and respect. By honouring these requests, we help care for our relationship with the local community and protect the future of Medicine for years to come. Thank you for helping us hold this gathering with care, respect and consideration for everyone it touches.
- Who should I contact for general enquiries, tickets, or partnerships?
- Can I volunteer at Medicine Festival?
- Who do I contact for enquiries or media requests?
Food & Drink
- Is the festival vegan /vegetarian-friendly?
- Can I bring and prepare my own food and drink?
- FIRE SAFETY
- Disposable BBQs
- Camping stoves of any kind (gas, gel, alcohol, tablet)
- Electric stoves
- Gas canisters
- Portable fire pits or fire bowls
- Chinese/sky lanterns
- Fireworks, flares, and pyrotechnics
- Sparklers
- Candles and tea lights
- Incense and smudge sticks
- Lighter fluid, firelighters, and fire-starting products
- Never leave cooking equipment unattended
- Dispose of food waste thoughtfully using the bins provided
- Be mindful of shared space within busy camping areas
- Will you sell alcohol?
Medicine Festival is an alcohol-free space. By choosing to leave alcohol behind, we collectively support the prayer and intention throughout the event.
This choice cultivates a truly unique atmosphere, enhancing the energy of presence, clarity, and connection. It allows us to engage deeply with ourselves, each other, and the essence of what we’re trying to touch into through Medicine.
We kindly ask for your respect and commitment to this principle, as it enriches our shared experience and upholds the integrity of our gathering.
We do not wish to profit from the commercial sale of alcohol and we believe the container is much more potent when people are not drinking alcohol, so we will not be selling any alcohol at the event. We have an amazing botanical cocktail and elixir bar on site, and other great drink options.- Are plastic water bottles allowed?
- I have a nut / dairy allergy – what should I do?
Tickets
- How much does a ticket cost?
- I have purchased my ticket/s and have my booking confirmation but haven’t received my ticket/s for the festival.
- Do you offer low income tickets?
- How do I access my Easol account to manage my booking?
- I have an enquiry about tickets – who do I contact?
- I have a ticket for 2026 but can’t come – what are my options?
- By entering into a payment plan, you commit to purchasing the ticket in full.
- Instalments already paid are non-refundable under any circumstances.
- Tickets are only valid once the full balance has been paid.
- Tickets cannot be resold or transferred until payment has been completed in full.
- Can I sell my ticket if I can no longer make it?
- If I leave the site can I re-enter?
- Can I change the name on my ticket?
- Are there any age restrictions?
- Who qualifies for a ‘Family’ ticket?
- I’ve lost my wristband – what can I do?
- Can I come for the day?
- Can you add other products to your booking after you have purchased your tickets?
- Are workshops included in the festival ticket price or do you need to purchase these separately?
- I have purchased extra's that I no longer want on my booking. What are my options?
- I have a disability or a medical condition – do you offer free tickets for carers?
Campsites & Facilities
- Generators are not permitted on site due to health and safety and licensing agreements.
- Standalone tents are not permitted in the live-in vehicle area. Only tent boxes attached to the roof of your car are accepted.
- Awnings in live-in camping must be kept minimal, only pulled out by a couple of feet, to respect neighbouring space.
- If you bring a caravan, your car will need to be moved to the car park once your caravan is set up.
- Family & Quieter camping:
- Drinking water stations are available across the site, so please bring a reusable water bottle and refill throughout the gathering. Single-use plastic bottles are not permitted on site (and also will not be sold)..
- Towel to dry yourself.
- Flip Flops to use in the showers.
- Torch or headlamp.
- Eco-friendly toiletries.
- Hand sanitiser.
- Reusable water bottle.
- Warm layers for nighttime trips across the campsite.
- PEEQUAL Squatting UrinalsThis year we’ll also have Peequal on site - a waterless squatting urinal designed to help reduce queues and improve accessibility for women and anyone who squats to pee. Peequal urinals are touch-free, open-air, faster to use, and designed with comfort and inclusivity in mind. They are also made partly from ocean plastic and use a bio-polymer derived from sugarcane.Note that toilet paper is not provided in the Peequal areas. You will need to provide your own toilet paper for this space, and pooping is also not allowed!. This is for peeing only.Look out for Peequal signage around the site.
- We encourage you to bring whatever helps you feel comfortable and supported during your cycle throughout the gathering. Bins for sanitary disposal will be provided within toilet areas across the site to support safe and respectful disposal of period products.You may also wish to bring:
- Menstrual cups or discs
- Reusable pads or period underwear
- Comfort items and self-care essentials.
- There are no cashpoints on site, but most points of sale will take cards.
Travel
- Where is Medicine Festival?
- How do I get to the festival?
- Do you offer public coaches or shuttles?
- ARRIVING BY MEDICINE COACH
- ARRIVING BY SHUTTLE
- Can I get to the Festival by Train?
- Aldermaston
- Midgham
- Thatcham
- Can I be dropped off or get a taxi?
- Do you have bike lock facilities?
- Is there parking at the venue?
- Can I bring my live-in vehicle?
- Can I sleep in my car?
- Do I need a visa or ETA if I'm travelling from Europe?
If you're an EU citizen travelling to Medicine for up to six months, you don't need a visa, but you WILL need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK. An ETA costs £20, is valid for two years (or until your passport expires), and is required before boarding your flight or other transport to the UK. Irish citizens are exempt, and you won't need an ETA if you already hold a UK visa, eVisa, or settled/pre-settled status.
Please check the latest guidance via the official UK Government website before you travel and APPLY HERE FOR ETA.Accommodation
- Where can I stay?
- Is there camping on site?
- Do you have boutique camping?
- Is there room for awning attachments to campers?
- Are generators allowed in the camping areas?
- If I am bringing my own tent, is this included in the festival ticket price?
- Can I rent a tent?
- If I pay for a ‘Live-in’ ticket for my car, can I bring a tent to sleep in?
- Can my car be parked in the Live-in site with my caravan?
First Aid + Welfare Spaces
- THE SUPPORT ZONE
- Emotional Support Space
- PsyCare Uk
- Medical
Accessibility
- ACCESSIBILITY HUB
- ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES AVAILABLE
- Accessibility aid charging points (In Accessibility Camp)
- Fridges for medications (In Accessibility Camp)
- Wheelchair accessible toilet (In Accessibility Camp)
- Wheelchair accessible shower (In Accessibility Camp)
- Large print documents and maps if requested in advance
- Queue jump for all workshops and F&B areas
- ACCESSIBILITY AROUND THE FESTIVAL
- Most of the site is flat and accessible in good weather conditions
- Mud may occur during wet weather
- Some parts of the site contains rough ground and gravel pathways which may be more difficult to navigate
- Lighting levels are low in some areas at night
- Some venues use strobe lighting
- ACCESSIBILITY TEAM & INFORMATION HUBS
- PRESCRIBED MEDICATION
Lost Child / Adult
- If your child (or adult) is missing
- Immediately find the nearest steward, team member with a radio or security team member.
- Give our team a description of your child: their age, height, hair colour, eye colour, what they were wearing, and where and when you last saw them.
- Keep your phone with you and let our team know where you are on site, so we can reach you the moment your child/adult is located.
- Our team will begin a coordinated search straight away - checking your camp, familiar areas, and the Family Area - and will keep you updated throughout.
- If your child has not been found within 30 minutes, our Event Control team will contact the police on your behalf.
- If you find a child (or adult) who appears to be lost
- Stay with the child or adult and reassure them calmly. Do not leave them alone.
- Find the nearest steward or security team member. Our team will take over and remain with the child in the Family Area until their parent or guardian is found.
Nudity Policy
- We reserve the right to request anyone to either leave a space or put clothes on, should we consider the nudity in that case inappropriate or offensive.
- Adult nudity is completely prohibited in the Family Area.
- Workshop facilitators or Area Guardians will let people know if nudity is welcome during their sessions. If the request is not followed the person will be asked to leave.
- Offensive or overtly sexual behaviour is not tolerated in any circumstances.
Fly Pitch Trading
We appreciate and honour the beauty, personality and value, that fly pitching brings. To ensure a safe and comfortable space for everyone to flourish, we have developed a structure to allow a streamlined format.
Given our position as a non-profit organisation, we feel it only fair that those looking to financially benefit from their attendance, contribute a fly pitch fee for each day they’re looking to trade.
This contribution will get you a fly pitch pass which will need to be displayed on your stall for each day.
Those fly pitching without a pass will be politely asked to pack up or purchase a pass to continue their craft.
We’re thrilled to welcome you to the trees once more for another beautiful weekend and we appreciate your understanding and support in keeping things fair for all involved.
If you are looking to purchase fly pitching passes pre-event, please email traders@medicinefestival.com
Patreon
- What is Patreon Membership and how can I sign up?
As a Patreon member of the Medicine Festival, your membership will help to support our year-round vision to empower indigenous communities and environmental conservation efforts.
In return for your generosity you will be able to enjoy a number of benefits such as exclusive content, early access to Medicine event tickets and discounts. For more information and to sign-up please visit our Patreon page.