After five days of music, mud, and mayhem, Glastonbury’s magical bubble has burst—and what’s left behind is anything but pretty.
As the last festival-goers drag themselves away from Worthy Farm, an entirely different kind of army steps in: the clean-up crew.
The scene this morning was less about encore performances and more about overflowing bins, abandoned tents, and thousands of crushed cans.
Volunteers faced the daunting task of turning the now-trampled fields back into usable farmland, sorting through mounds of rubbish and all sorts of debris left behind by over 200,000 revellers.
A Sea of Rubbish and Some Truly Shocking Finds
Every year, Glastonbury leaves behind an astonishing 2,000 tonnes of waste. And this year was no different.
From food containers and paper cups to soggy camping chairs and even inflatable mattresses, it’s all there—scattered across the fields.
Among the more disturbing discoveries? Nitrous oxide canisters (aka “hippy crack”), leftover bags of white powder, and even novelty-shaped pills.
One particularly unlucky picker even found an “emergency mini toilet”—basically a plastic bag used by someone too desperate to leave the crowd for the actual loo.
The Unsung Heroes: Glastonbury’s Recycling Crew
Thankfully, thousands of dedicated volunteers show up each year to help undo the damage.
Many are part of the Glastonbury Recycling Crew, who work hard to clean up responsibly and with sustainability in mind.
The Eavis family, who founded and still run the festival, also chip in by providing resources to support the clean-up.
The goal? To return the site to its natural, dairy-farm state so the cows can safely graze again once the crowds are gone.
Not Everyone Got the Memo About Cleaning Up
While festival-goers are strongly encouraged to pack up all their belongings and trash, many clearly didn’t.
This morning saw heaps of items left behind, from slippers and flip-flops to entire shopping bags full of stuff no one wanted to carry home.
Volunteers worked tirelessly, starting with overflowing bins and moving on to the more cumbersome items.
The clean-up will take more than three weeks to complete.
No Festival Next Year: Glastonbury Takes a Break
Glastonbury fans will have to wait until 2027 for the next instalment.
The festival is taking a planned “fallow year” in 2026 to give the land—and the organisers—a much-needed break.
Emily Eavis explained that this pause is vital for making improvements.
“We’re always trying to make it better,” she told the Glastonbury Free Press.
“Even small touches, like a new hedge, can really change the atmosphere.”
Controversy on Stage Sparks Police Investigation
This year’s festival wasn’t just about music.
Two Saturday performances drew sharp criticism—and police attention.
Punk duo Bob Vylan and Irish rap trio Kneecap are both under investigation after making highly charged political statements during their sets.
Bob Vylan led chants of “death to the IDF” and made other remarks about Palestine that many consider inflammatory.
Meanwhile, Kneecap encouraged the crowd to “start a riot” outside a court appearance and cursed Labour leader Keir Starmer by name.
Their comments sparked backlash, with Israel condemning both the BBC (for airing the performances) and Glastonbury (for allowing them).
The BBC may now face a public-order investigation, and Bob Vylan could even have their US visas revoked ahead of an upcoming tour.
Musical Highlights: Surprise Guests and Iconic Moments
Despite the controversy, the music still delivered some unforgettable moments.
Friday featured surprise sets by pop icon Lorde, who performed her new album Virgin, and Lewis Capaldi, who returned after a challenging set two years ago.
The 1975 headlined the Pyramid Stage with Matty Healy declaring himself “the best songwriter of his generation” while belting out fan favourites like Chocolate and Love Me.
Saturday Brought Legends and Unexpected Twists
Pulp made a surprise appearance under the mysterious billing of “Patchwork,” marking 30 years since their breakout Glasto set in 1995.
It was a fitting throwback after stepping in for The Stone Roses all those years ago.
Meanwhile, Haim lit up the Park Stage with a mix of old and new tracks, and Neil Young brought vintage rock energy to the Pyramid Stage, even strumming Hank Williams’ guitar during his set.
Charli XCX headlined the Other Stage with high-energy performances from last summer’s hits like 360 and Von Dutch.
Sir Rod Stewart Steals the Sunday Spotlight
The Sunday Legends slot belonged to Sir Rod Stewart, and he made it one for the books.
Joined on stage by former bandmate Ronnie Wood, Lulu, and Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall, Rod delivered hit after hit.
He even shared a heartfelt moment with Glasto founder Sir Michael Eavis, who was wheeled on stage by daughter Emily.
Olivia Rodrigo Closes with an Iconic Duet
Pop-rocker Olivia Rodrigo wrapped up the weekend on the Pyramid Stage with a special guest of her own—Robert Smith of The Cure.
The duo performed Just Like Heaven and Friday I’m In Love, with Rodrigo telling the crowd how honoured she was to share the stage with one of her musical heroes.
As fireworks closed the show and the final chords faded, festival-goers knew they’d been part of something special—even if they left a bit of a mess behind.
