Glastonbury Festival updates dress code rule that was only introduced in 2024

Many people are still unaware when packing

Fans packing for Glastonbury Festival have been reminded of the one and only dress code rule, which many people are still unaware of.

Flamboyant fashion choices are celebrated at Worthy Farm, but there is one item organisers have recently banned. An official packing list is released each year advising what to bring and what not to bring, and one line in particular was quietly updated in 2024 and has been amended again for 2025.

Glitter used to be a must-have festival item, with sparkling faces a prominent feature of any crowd shot. Due to environmental reasons, Glastonbury organisers used to specify that this should be biodegradable. However, as of last year, any glitter - even biodegradable - is now on the banned list.

The change was made quietly but did get noticed on the Glastonbury Reddit thread at the time, with one festival-goer asking in 2024: "Just seen that they have updated the what not to bring list to include biodegradable glitter! What else can I adorn my face with?"

Others suggested temporary tattoos, dried flowers or face paint. One person who responded wrote: "There is no need to glue bits of plastic to your face at Glastonbury. It's relatively new as a trend, 15+ years ago no one wore glitter or face jewels etc. Spend less time faffing at your tent with glitter and more time exploring."

Back in 2023, the festival's guide clearly stated: "Do not bring non-biodegradable body glitter." Organisers' 2023 packing guide also reiterated: " Do not bring non-biodegradable body glitter. Biodegradable glitter can be bought from traders onsite."

However, in 2024 this line had been updated to read: "Do not bring any glitter (even the biodegradable kind breakdown into micro-plastics and are problematic environmental pollutants)."

The same warning has reappeared on the 2025 list, which was issued by organisers today (June 11), with an updated explanation. Under 'what not to bring', festival-goers are clearly told this year: "Do not bring body glitter. Even biodegradable body glitter will not properly breakdown without being heat-treated."

However, not everyone is aware of the change in rules. On the 'Glastonbury tips' Facebook page yesterday (Tuesday), one excited fan asked: "What face/hair glitter is everyone using? I need to re-stock and my usual buys aren't available!"

People were quick to point out in the comments that glitter is now not allowed. One person replied: "You are specifically asked not to bring it nowadays. Glitter is Litter."

Another agreed: "Get fake tattoos or stickers instead… or face paint! Glitter is a no no now."

This year's festival packing list, as with other years, also advises bringing wellies or sturdy boots, a waterproof coat and over-trousers, a hat and other "weather-appropriate clothing".