Boomtown Launches 'Vibe Check' Safety Campaign Ahead Of 2026 Festival

Boomtown has launched a new festival-wide safety campaign encouraging thousands of music fans to "party smarter" when they arrive for this year's event in Hampshire.

The Vibe Check campaign asks festivalgoers to make a series of pledges designed to promote safer behaviour, encourage people to look after friends and know where to seek help if someone becomes unwell.

More than 15,000 people signed up to the initiative last year, with organisers hoping even more will take part at Boomtown Chapter Five: Radical Redesign, which takes place from 12-16 August at Matterley Estate near Winchester.

The pledge encourages attendees to stay with friends, familiarise themselves with the locations of medical and welfare facilities, stay hydrated, eat properly, get enough rest and recognise the signs of someone experiencing a medical emergency.

Festivalgoers are also being encouraged to spend at least one performance or event each day completely sober, with organisers saying the music, art and theatre should be enjoyed without relying on alcohol or illegal drugs.

Anyone signing the pledge will be entered into prize draws including Camp Orchid Downtown upgrades, sauna experiences and food credit to spend during the festival.

The campaign forms part of Boomtown's wider harm reduction strategy, with organisers reiterating that illegal drugs remain strictly prohibited and warning that anyone found in possession of them could be refused entry, ejected from the site or face prosecution.

Search dogs and police will be operating at entry gates throughout the festival, while amnesty points will be available before security checks for prohibited items.

Festival organisers have also confirmed a range of welfare services will be available throughout the event, including two 24-hour medical centres, welfare teams, sensory and wellbeing spaces, sexual violence support through Safer Spaces and free drug education and advice from The Loop and Bristol Drugs Project.

Boomtown says anyone seeking medical or welfare assistance will not get into trouble for asking for help and is urging people to seek support immediately if they or someone around them becomes unwell.

The festival returns to Matterley Estate between Wednesday 12 and Sunday 16 August, with organisers reminding attendees to arrive prepared, follow alcohol limits, bring valid identification and plan their journeys in advance.