With festival season now in full swing, new research has revealed that two thirds of over 50s and 28% of over 70s are hitting the festival circuit, loving it more than ever.
The top reason for over 50s to hit the scene is rocking out to live music, along with getting up to their knees in mud and not worrying about their appearance, getting creative with fancy dress and crowd surfing, as well as experimenting with illegal substances and getting frisky under the stars.
Conducted by over 50s insurance specialist Staysure, the research shows that this age group most like to get their festival kicks from Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds, BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend and the Isle of Wight festival.
Favourite acts include Take That, Ed Sheeran and Fleetwood Mac, and those who like to "large" it even enjoy fist pumping at Creamfields.
Also top of the list is having an adventure, with the top five international festivals for over 50s as follows:
- Oktoberfest, Germany
- La Tomatina, Spain
- Running of the Bulls, Spain
- Mardi Gras, New Orleans
- Rio Carnivale, Rio de Janeiro
39% of those questioned for the research say they regret never going to a festival, with 56% admitting it's because they feel too old. 39% don't like leaving their home comforts behind, and 32% wouldn't want to use the dreaded portaloos.
When picking festival buddies, almost half (46%) prefer going with their partners, with friends clocking in at 21% and children at 17%. One in ten would even be brave enough to go it alone.
Tewkesbury's Geoffrey Nidd, 62 says: "I've been going to festivals for over 45 years and would urge everyone to give one a go. Our generation grew up through an incredible era of music, and there is no shame in continuing to enjoy and engage with it.
"The atmosphere at festivals like Glastonbury is unbeatable and it's a great way of discovering new music and meeting new people. The toilet facilities aren't always ideal and being on your feet all day can be tiring - but that's what foldable chairs are for!"
Gina Rudd of Staysure added: "We know from speaking to over 1million of our customers that people in their 50s, 60s, 70s and even 80s have the time and money to embark on all sorts of incredible and inspiring adventures around the world, that you would not have expected 10 years ago. They love to write in and tell us the amazing things they've been up to like excursion on the Nile, releasing gorillas into the wild, singing acapella in a competition in Hawaii, to rocking out in a muddy field at Glastonbury."
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