EVENT INFO
LOCATION
Connect Festival takes place at The Royal Highland Showgrounds, located to the West of Edinburgh City Centre.
Venue Address:
Royal Highland Centre
Ingliston
Edinburgh
EH28 8NB
What3Words Location - /// thud.jazzy,baseline
EVENT TIMINGS
(Please note all times are subject to change)
Opening Times
Campers:
Friday 14:00 – Monday 12:00
Saturday: 11:00 – 01:00
Sunday: 11:00 – 01:00
Campsite:
Friday 14:00 until Monday 11:00
Arena:
Friday: 16:00 – 00:00
Saturday: 12:00 – 00:00
Sunday: 12:00 – 00:00
Car Parks:
Friday: 13:00 - Close
Saturday: 12:00 - Close
Sunday: 10:00 - Close
AGE POLICY AND ID
AGE POLICY
People of all ages are welcome at Connect.
Persons under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult over 25 (1 adult minimum per 2 persons aged 0-17 years old).
Persons aged 0-12 must purchase a Child Ticket.
Anyone aged 13 and above must purchase a General Admission or VIP Ticket.
Child Tickets can only be purchased when purchasing a General Admission or VIP Ticket.
Parental or supervisory duty of care and liability of those under 18 at the event is that of the accompanying adult over 25.
If you are attending with someone under 18 years old, we would encourage you to register with our guardianship form.
If you’re lucky enough to look under 25, you may be asked for proof of age at the gates, so please bring acceptable valid photographic ID. Access to Bars is restricted to persons 18 and over.
A challenge 25 policy will be in operation at the event, and you may be asked for proof of age.
ID
You must bring valid and current photographic ID with you. The following types of ID are acceptable at the festival:
- Current UK or Overseas Driving Licence
- Current UK or Overseas Passport
- UK only 18+ PASS scheme card
- Young Scot Card
- Ireland Age Card
- Overseas Only Valid National ID card
- Forces ID Card
This is in line with the national Challenge 25 policy.
Note: Photocopies of ID and expired Passports do not count as valid ID. Anyone found in possession of Fake ID will be refused entry. The ID will be confiscated and passed to Police Scotland.
ATTENDING WITH SOMEONE UNDER 18
If you’re attending the event with someone under 18 years old, we strongly recommend that you register your contact details via our guardianship process and take the guardianship form to our event welfare team on arrival. The young person will be provided with a wristband that helps to identify them and reunite you in the unfortunate event that you should become separated. The form is available here.
The location of the welfare team will be available on the event map nearer to the event.
Safeguarding Policy
Connect Festival is committed to the protection of the health, wellbeing and human rights of individuals (especially children, young people and vulnerable adults) to live free from abuse, harm and neglect. For more information about our Safeguarding Policy, please click here.
WHAT YOU CAN BRING
| ARENA | CAMPSITE | |
| Nitrous Oxide and any associated equipment (Balloons, Co2 dispensers, cream dispensers) | NO | NO |
| Oversized Lighters | NO | NO |
| Perfume in small bottles under 100ml | YES | YES |
| Petrol Burners | NO | NO |
| Selfie Sticks | NO | YES |
| Small hammers for pitching tents | NO | NO |
| Sound systems | NO | NO |
| Tin Openers | NO | YES |
| Umbrellas | YES | YES |
| Unidentifiable Substances | NO | NO |
| Solid Fuel / Hexi Stoves | NO | YES |
| Meth Stoves Including Fuel | NO | YES |
| Green Base Camp Cooker | NO | YES |
| Heat based Camp Cooker | NO | YES |
| Gel Stoves | NO | YES |
| Firelighter Stoves | NO | YES |
| Gas Stoves (Canisters < 2.75kg) | NO | YES |
Please refer to our full prohibited items lists here before attending the event.
Bringing prohibited items will delay your entry to site, and confiscated items cannot be returned after the event.
Persons suspected of carrying items that may be used in an offensive or dangerous manner or carrying out illegal activities onsite may be searched.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Click below to view our Event Terms & Conditions.
Click below to view our Special Event Conditions.
Click below to view our Camping Terms & Conditions.
SECURITY & STEWARDING
Event stewards play a key role in ensuring you have a safe and enjoyable event. If you find yourself in trouble or needing help, let our stewards know as they are trained to assist you and direct you to our other services if required.
Security
We have 24hr security and safety stewards on site, who are there to help everyone enjoy the festival as much as possible. They are a big part of our team on site, and should be friendly and approachable, and able to assist you should you require help or assistance. Please don’t hesitate to approach anyone from the festival or security team if you need any type of assistance on site. Please look after all your valuables during your time at the festival. Remember, your possessions are your responsibility, so only bring what you need – bags should be A3 in size, or smaller. The fewer items you need to keep an eye on, the better. Bag searches will be conducted upon entry. Anyone found to be in possession of prohibited items, or illegal/banned substances will be refused entry and the appropriate action will be taken, including referrals to Police Scotland. In this instance, no refunds will be issued and items may be confiscated.
Search Process
All bags are subject to search on entry, please do not bring a bag larger than A3 in size. Please also allow plenty of time for possible queues, ticket checks and searches. It’s a really good idea to download your tickets before arriving on site, in case you have issues doing this on arrival. If you are uncomfortable about any of our entry requirements, please ask for the supervisor who will be able to offer assistance or advice.
PERSONAL WELFARE
HELP TEAMS
If you are concerned or uncomfortable while at the festival, but don’t feel you need medical attention, visit the Welfare Team. Find out where they are located when you arrive and please feel welcome to use this service; we are here to help, even if all you need is a cup of tea, some charge in your phone and a sit down. Be careful with alcohol over the weekend. Try to avoid getting too intoxicated as you can lose control or make unsafe decisions. It goes without saying that alcohol and other drugs can impair your judgement. We encourage you to be honest with the Medics and Welfare Team so that they know how best to help you.
WATER POINTS
When you are out of your normal routine, it is important to eat, stay hydrated and look after yourself. There are lots of free drinking water stations throughout the site and at every bar, so make sure you keep a refillable bottle with you and stay topped up.
NOISE
Exposure to prolonged loud music can damage your hearing; ear plugs are available on request from Welfare or the Security team at all stages. Feel free to ask for them, to protect your ears for years to come.
Alcohol & Drugs
Alcohol within the Arena
We want everyone to have a great time at Connect in the safest way possible. Please enjoy the range on food and beverage on site, and please drink responsibly. Free drinking water is available at every bar, and throughout the site at designated water points. Food and drinks, including alcohol, may not be brought into the Festival Arena (with the exception of baby food/milk) A challenge 25 policy will be in place for all alcohol sales on site. If you look under 25, you will need a valid photo ID to be served alcohol.
Alcohol within the Campsite
Alcohol brought to the festival must comply with event regulations, anyone aged 18 and over can bring in limited amounts and types of alcohol. You may be asked for proof of age. Strictly no glass is permitted. Alcohol will only be permitted on first entry to the campsite. You will not be able to exit and re-enter with more alcohol. Limits are in place in order to comply with our responsibility to promote responsible alcohol consumption on site. Personal Alcohol cannot be brought into the Arena, it will be on sale at Festival Bars subject to ‘Challenge 25’ policy in place. Connect Festival reserve the right to confiscate any alcohol we deem not to be appropriate for the customer in question.
Quantity Per Person
Up to 24 x 330ml cans of beer/lager/cider or similar
Or
18 x 440ml cans of beer/lager/cider
And
2 Bottles of Wine (up to 75cl – must be decanted. NO GLASS)
Drugs
Connect has a zero-tolerance drug policy. Any illegal drugs will be confiscated and the Police Scotland will be notified. New psychoactive substances, Poppers, and Nitrous Oxide are also strictly prohibited and may result in ejection from the event. We really want all our festival-goers to stay safe at this year’s festival. Please don’t take any risks. If you or any of your friends are feeling unwell you can visit our on-site welfare team who will be able to help you.
LOST & FOUND PROPERTY
Any lost or found property should be taken to, or collected from our Welfare Hub, situated in The Grand Parade Field. Any lost property not collected by the end of the event will be handed to Police Scotland a few days after the event. Please contact Police Scotland on 101 for further information.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
At Connect we aim to create an event that’s truly accessible, equal, diverse, and inclusive for all.
We are committed to creating a festival that welcomes everyone from all backgrounds whether they are fans, artists, performers, or staff. We believe that our festival is a place where everyone can feel confident, included, safe and represented and we are dedicated to having inclusivity at the heart of the festival.
For more information on our approach to Diversity and Inclusion at Connect please click here.
