How does festival ticketing work?
Unlike a single concert, a festival rarely sells just one type of ticket. There are generally a 'T0' pass 'T1' covering the entire duration of the event, 'T2' day tickets 'T3' for a single date, and sometimes 'T4' campsite offers 'T5' or packages with accommodation. Special feature: the ticket office frequently opens 'T6' before the full announcement of the 'T7' poster, based solely on the reputation of the festival. The first buyers then benefit from the lowest prices, before the price levels rise.
Types of tickets to know
- Multi-day pass : access to the entire festival, often the most advantageous option per day.
- Day ticket : to only come on a specific day, ideal if you are interested in only one date.
- Early bird price: a reduced price for first buyers, in limited quantities and for a limited time.
- Camping/accommodation pass : an add-on which includes accommodation on site, to be booked early as places are limited.
- Official resale ticket : recirculated by other buyers via a supervised platform, useful when everything is complete.
Full pass or day ticket?
| Criteria | Multi-day pass | Day ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal for | Experience the whole festival | A single date / a single artist |
| Cost reported per day | Often more advantageous | Higher per day |
| Flexibility | Long-term commitment | You choose your day |
| Availability | May leave before full poster | Depends on the day and the headliners |
The exact offer (titles, packages, levels) varies from one festival to another: check it on the official ticket office.
Buy your pass at the right time
- 1
Locate the opening of the ticket office
Follow the festival on its official channels: the opening date of the sale, often announced well before the poster, determines access to early bird prices.
- 2
Choose your formula
Full pass, day ticket or package with camping: decide based on your availability and your budget before opening.
- 3
Aim for the first steps
Rates generally rise in waves as quotas fill up. Buying early means paying less.
- 4
Prepare your account and payment
As with a concert, a created account and a ready payment method save you precious minutes on the opening day.
If the festival is sold out
A sold out festival still leaves options. The legal resale platforms put passes and tickets transferred by other buyers back into circulation, in a secure environment. Also keep an eye out for possible resale quotas and day tickets which may remain available even when full passes are sold out. However, avoid informal resales between individuals, which are more exposed to counterfeit notes.