Go To Music Festivals for Free With These Gigs

Koi
Nov 24
5 min read

Looking for a way to make money while traveling? Workamping jobs offer a place to stay while doing temporary or seasonal jobs.

Working at a music festival is a fun way to make some money while traveling, or experience festivals you may not be able to afford a ticket to.

I love helping make the magic happen at festivals- EDC Las Vegas 2025 was my first time attending it, and I had an amazing experience. Now I'm here to tell you everything you need to know to work at music festivals.

Jobs at Music Festivals

Music Festival Companies such as Insomniac events, Live Nation Entertainment, and AEG Presents need staff before, during, and after the festival to help it run smoothly. This includes positions such as administration, ticket scanning, harm reduction, info booths, performers, and more.

Vendors and brand partners provide food, clothes, art, beauty services, and more for attendees to browse and enjoy during the festival.

Security companies are hired to keep festivalgoers safe and to ensure that no dangerous or banned items are brought into the festival.

Construction and delivery - Like Burning Man, many music festivals operate like mini cities that are built and then taken down in a short period of time. This includes stages, art pieces, light shows, carnival rides, shade structures, and anything else not provided by the venue. This requires construction, delivery, and project management staff to achieve.

Music - artists, organizers, stagehands, and others provide the central entertainment for the event, including smaller stages for up-and-coming artists.

Where to Stay While Working at Music Festivals

Hotels/ Airbnbs

Most music festivals are located close enough to drive or even walk to a hotel where you can relax, recharge, and explore the local area in your free time. It's essential to book your room in advance, as prices tend to skyrocket closer to the event. Events like EDC Orlando, which is located in the middle of a city, may have locals renting out rooms nearby, or public transportation to help avoid traffic and give you access to cheaper rooms.

Depending on your employer, they may be able to comp you a hotel room or free parking to help with expenses.

Home

If you live in the area, you can simply commute to the festival. You can also make a little extra money on the side by offering rides to coworkers or renting out rooms. However, if you're working long hours, it may be hard to juggle a commute with getting enough sleep.

Camping

Camping festivals like Nocturnal Wonderland have a staff camp set in a designated area. The staff camp may even come with perks to help you recharge between shifts, such as showers, an air-conditioned staff lounge, and access to pre or post-parties.

Will I Still Get to Enjoy the Music Festival?

Whether you'll be able to meet up with your friends or watch your favorite sets heavily depends on your job. If you’re working a day shift, you will have more time at night. If you’re working a festival shift, you'll have to decide between resting and partying on your breaks. You could also work anywhere from a few hours per day to twelve-hour shifts.

On the flipside, your job may be mostly pre- or post-festival, giving you free time to enjoy the event itself with no restrictions. It's important to be clear about the hours and type of work you will be doing, so you don't feel overwhelmed.

No matter how much you get to wander the festival, simply being in the atmosphere, seeing things in passing, and spending time with attendees is enjoyable. I work for Insomniac Ground Control, and after several festivals I can say that it is a genuinely fun and rewarding job. This is because providing services for festival-goers is very different from doing so at a store or restaurant; ravers want to be there, and most are kind, considerate folks who are having a great time.

Must Have Rave Gear for Working at a Music Festival

While you will have support from your employer, it is important to be self-sustainable when working at a music festival. Some important items include:

Appropriate clothes for work. Your employer will outline what this looks like. It is also important to be aware of the weather and bring a coat, rain jacket, sunscreen and hat as needed. An umbrella can do double duty, being helpful in rainy weather or to provide shade.
Good shoes. Depending on your position, you may be on your feet for hours or walking back and forth from one end of the event to the other. I always wear my favorite barefoot shoes to stay as comfortable as possible.
A bag or two. I wear a hydration pack and fanny pack to keep all my valuables, water, and snacks on my person. You may need to change clothes between work hours and off hours, so being able to carry a change of clothes will prevent you from having to go all the way back to camp.
Earplugs. Music festivals are generally noisy places, so you will also want to protect your ears with high-fidelity earplugs while working. You may also need foam or silicone earplugs to sleep through any noise made by your campmates and the neighbors while you're trying to rest.
Gifts. This is not actually a must have, but I always have fun exchanging Kandi and sprouts with people I connect with.

The Most Important Tool for Working At A Music Festival

While we go to music festivals to live in the moment, there is no denying that our phones have become a core part of the gig. That being said, there are many ways to use your phone to enhance your experience rather than detract from it.

Join relevant Facebook groups. I used an EDC Las Vegas work group to find a ride from the airport, saving me a hefty rideshare fee. This person had worked EDC before, and helped me navigate getting my credentials and finding the staff camp. My arrival would’ve been much more confusing and expensive without this connection. You can also use these groups to find gigs and employers for upcoming festivals.
Join Radiate. This app is a great way to learn about upcoming music festivals and meet fellow ravers who might want to camp or carpool with you.
Download the Insomniac app. The Insomniac app is a great resource for any Insomniac festival. You can find set times, a live map, vendors, places to stay, and more.
Take photos and screenshots of anything important. My phone is always filled with screenshots of posters, sets I want to see on my break, contact information of people I've met, and different versions of the map. It helps to be able to access these quickly.

Be sure to download any apps before you leave! During most music festivals, the internet gets spottier and eventually drops as the event fills up with people.