What age can my child go to a UK concert without me?

It depends on the venue. Many UK arenas allow 14+ with an adult and 16+ unaccompanied; some seated events are 16+ regardless. Always check the venue's published age policy.

What if my child gets separated from friends?

Have a meeting point agreed before they go in. If their phone dies, they should head straight there and wait, then find a steward if no one shows up.

What if I think my child's drink has been spiked?

Call 999 if they are very unwell or unconscious. Otherwise get them to a venue medic, stay with them, save the cup if possible, and report to the venue and 101 afterwards.

Should my child take cash?

A small amount of cash is sensible in case their phone or card fails. It also means they can get a taxi home if needed.

Your Child's First Concert or Festival

A UK pathway for a first concert or festival, with meeting points, lost-friend plans and harm-reduction advice.

Overview

A first big gig or festival is a brilliant milestone, and most teenagers come home tired and happy. The risks are predictable: getting separated, phone dies, queueing crush, alcohol or drugs in the crowd, and unwanted attention.

Good preparation is not about scaring them off. It is about making sure they know exactly what to do when something predictable goes wrong, so they can enjoy the night without panicking.

Keep the tone curious and matter-of-fact. Teenagers tune out lectures very quickly.

Readiness signs

Can navigate public transport with friends in daytime.
Manages a phone responsibly and charges it consistently.
Talks to you about plans without being prompted.
Knows their address, your number, and at least one other parent's number by memory.
Has had a basic alcohol and drug conversation already.
Can resist friend pressure to do things they are not comfortable with.

Parent checklist

Check the event's age policy (many UK venues are 14+ with adult, 16+ alone).
Agree the group going, who has tickets and how they will travel.
Set a specific meeting point inside the venue and a backup outside.
Buy or charge a small power bank for their phone.
Agree a check-in time and a hard pickup time and place.
Make sure they have a small amount of cash in case the phone dies.
Save the venue address, your number and a second parent's number on a card in their pocket.
Discuss alcohol, drugs and drink spiking calmly and without panic.
Agree a no-questions-asked pickup code word if they need out.

Agreement with your child

•I will stay with the group I left with.
•I will not accept open drinks from strangers.
•I will text you at the agreed check-in time.
•I will go to the meeting point if I get separated.
•I will find a steward or staff member if anything goes wrong.
•I will not leave the venue with anyone we have not agreed.
•I will use the code word if I need to come home early, no questions asked.

Conversation guide

“Pick one meeting point inside and one outside, and stick to them if anything goes wrong.”
“If your phone dies, head to the meeting point and wait. I will get to you.”
“Stewards in hi-vis are your best friends. They are paid to help you, not to get you into trouble.”
“If someone hands you an open drink, leave it. If you feel suddenly very strange, find a steward straight away.”
“Use the code word any time and I will collect you, no questions, no telling-off.”
“Crowds can surge. If you feel crushed, raise your arms, move sideways out of the flow and shout.”

Settings to review

•Phone battery at 100% and power bank packed.
•Find My or Family Link sharing on for the night.
•Group chat set up with the friends going.
•Ringer and notifications turned on, not silent.
•Apple Wallet or ticket apps logged in and tested.
•Emergency SOS shortcut tested with the child.
•Bank card limit reviewed if they are taking one.

Red flags

Vague or shifting plans about who is going and how.
An older person you do not know offering lifts or tickets.
Pressure to take a substance to fit in with the group.
Refusing to share location or skipping check-ins repeatedly.
Coming home with bruises, missing items or no memory of part of the night.

30-day review

Ask what they would do differently next time.
Check that the agreed meeting point and code word still feel right.
Talk through anything they saw that worried them.
Note any sleep, mood or appetite changes since the event.
Look at photos together to spot anyone you do not know.
Decide what kind of event they are ready for next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last reviewed: 2026-05-20Next review: 2026-11-20

This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.