## Glastonbury Festival: A Comprehensive Overview **What the Organization Does** Glastonbury Festival is a world-renowned music and performing arts event held annually (with occasional fallow years) at Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset, England. It is one of the largest greenfield festivals in the world, combining music, theater, circus, comedy, dance, and more across dozens of stages and performance areas. The festival is also recognized for its commitment to environmental sustainability, social causes, and its unique, immersive atmosphere that blends music, culture, and esoteric traditions[1]. **History** Founded in 1970 by dairy farmer Michael Eavis, the first event—then called the Pilton Pop, Blues & Folk Festival—was inspired by the Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music and the global impact of Woodstock[1][2]. The festival’s ethos was shaped by the countercultural movements of the 1960s, emphasizing free expression, environmentalism, and spiritual exploration. By 1971, it was renamed Glastonbury Fayre and scheduled to coincide with the summer solstice, highlighting its connection to Glastonbury’s mystical heritage and the surrounding landscape’s ley lines[1]. The iconic Pyramid Stage, a replica of the Great Pyramid of Giza, became a festival landmark in its early years[1]. **Key Achievements** Over five decades, Glastonbury has grown from a modest gathering of 1,500 people to a global phenomenon attracting over 200,000 attendees and millions more via global broadcasts[2]. It has hosted legendary performances by artists such as David Bowie, Beyoncé, The Rolling Stones, and Stormzy. The festival has pioneered large-scale event sustainability, introducing wind turbines, banning single-use plastics, and promoting recycling long before these became industry standards[2]. Glastonbury’s ability to adapt—rebuilding after the Pyramid Stage burned down in 1994, and innovating wit