There’s something magical that happens when the music kicks in, the crowd starts moving as one, and you feel the ground beneath you pulse with the bass. It doesn’t matter where you are – a muddy field, a sun-soaked beach, a city rooftop – because when that moment hits, you’re not thinking about your age. You’re thinking, this is where I’m meant to be.

Festival season is here again, and I’ll be right in the thick of it. No hesitation, no apologies, and certainly no talk of being “too old” for it. Because despite what outdated stereotypes might suggest, the joy of dancing under open skies isn’t reserved for the under-25s. It never was.

Here’s the truth: the idea that festivals are just for the young is completely outdated. Sure, back in the day when Glastonbury first kicked off in 1970, or Studio 54 was full of disco-drenched 20-somethings, it might have felt like a youth-only zone. But fast forward to now, and the dancefloor is gloriously diverse – age-wise, style-wise, vibe-wise.

These days, the crowd is wonderfully mixed. According to some recent stats, the number of over-41s heading to festivals matches the number of under-25s. We’re out there in force, and we’re having just as much fun – arguably more, because we actually brought wet wipes and earplugs!

And honestly, why wouldn’t we be there? Festivals have changed too – we grew up with this music, and they’ve grown with us! We were there when some of these headliners were making history. We remember the first time we heard that song, that album, that voice. And now we get to hear it live again.

And we’re not just stuck in nostalgia mode either – we’re discovering new sounds, sharing playlists with our children, and showing them how it’s really done in the dance tent. This isn’t about holding onto the past. It’s about expanding the present.

This isn’t a last hurrah. It’s a reawakening.

This stage of life – sometimes called middlescence – is a gift. That moment when your kids are grown (or at least semi-independent), your confidence is peaking, your spirit’s still wild, and you finally have both the means and freedom to say “yes” to things like weekend festivals and weeknight gigs.

So no, I won’t be dragging a battered rucksack or crashing in a collapsed two-man tent. I’ll be glamping (with electricity!), sipping something bubbly, and heading towards whatever stage is calling my name. And I’ll be surrounded by people who are dancing not to impress, but to feel. Who know that joy doesn’t have an age limit. Who’ve swapped peer pressure for pure pleasure.

The best part? The vibe is infectious. People of all ages, moving together, laughing, living, losing themselves in the music. That’s the real magic of festivals – they remind us how deeply human it is to connect through rhythm, sound, and shared experience.

So if you’re wondering whether you’re “too old” to go to a festival, let me say this as clearly and as loudly as possible: you are not.

Book the ticket. Pack the glitter. Call your friends. There’s space for you on the dancefloor – and in every field, forest, or beach party where the music takes you.

As for me? I’ve got a few festivals lined up, a growing list of artists I can’t wait to see, and no intention of slowing down any time soon. Whether it’s disco under the stars, a DJ at sunset, or live soul on a Sunday morning – I’ll be there, dancing like it’s ’92, but living fully in the now, and loving every minute.