Look after each other
Safety &welfare
We want everyone to have a cracking time and get home safe. Here’s how we look after you, and how you can help.
Here if you need usFeeling rough?
Welfare & first aid
Your safety and well-being are our absolute top priorities! We have fully trained first aiders and a dedicated, friendly welfare team on site throughout both days for anyone who needs medical assistance, a quiet sit-down, a cup of water, or just a chat.
Our First Aid and Welfare points are clearly marked on the festival field, and any steward or volunteer can point you in the right direction straight away!
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First aid
Fully qualified medical personnel on site both days for any bumps, scrapes, or sudden wobbles.
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Welfare
A calm, safe space with a friendly face when you need to recharge, decompress, or get a bit of support.
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Ask the team
Look out for our stewards in their branded AycLive purple hoodies or our helpful security team in high-vis—they’re all here to help!
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Quiet space
Need a breather away from the crowds? Check out our dedicated sensory & quiet space details on the Accessibility page!
Don’t panic
Lost kids & meeting points
It happens. Little explorers can wander off in a flash! If you lose sight of your child, don’t worry. Head straight to the nearest steward or security officer. They will immediately radio our central event control and welfare team to get our lost child procedure moving straight away.
Our dedicated Lost Kids & Welfare Point is clearly marked on the festival field map and staffed all day by our friendly team.
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1
Pick a meeting point
Agree on a clear meeting point (like the main Info Point or Welfare tent) as soon as you step onto the field.
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2
Snap a quick photo
Take a quick photo of your kids on your phone when you arrive so you have an exact record of what they’re wearing.
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3
Write your phone number
Pop your phone number on a kid’s wristband (or write it on their arm in biro!) so we can ring you in a flash.
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4
Teach them who to look for
Show your kids who to approach if they get separated, look out for event staff in branded purple AycLive hoodies or security team members in high-vis!
Little ones
Wristbands for little ones
Every child attending the festival receives a specific, colour-coded wristband upon entry. This system is designed so our event staff and bar team can easily and quickly understand the age brackets of all our festival-goers at a glance.
Top tip: Don’t forget you can also write your phone number on the inside of their wristband (or even on their arm in biro!) to give you total peace of mind while they explore.
It’s the North East
Weather
July in County Durham could mean sunburn or a downpour. Possibly both, before lunch. Check the forecast and come prepared.
If it’s sunny
- Sun cream, and top it up
- Hats for everyone, especially kids
- A refillable water bottle (we have clearly signposted free drinking water points across the grounds!)
- Find some shade between sets
If it’s wet
- Waterproofs and wellies
- A spare pair of socks (trust us)
- Ponchos beat umbrellas in a crowd
- Watch your step on wet grass
Pack light
Bag policy & prohibited items
To keep everyone safe and get you onto the field as fast as possible, every bag is searched on entry (and every time you re-enter the site). Packing light helps keep queues moving swiftly for everyone!
You’re more than welcome to bring your own picnics, snacks in sealed food boxes, and unopened soft drinks or water to keep you powered up. Leave the alcohol and glass at home, though, we’ve got fully stocked bars and brilliant North East street food vendors ready on site!
Yes please (bring)
- Picnics & snacks in sealed food containers
- Unopened soft drinks & water (lids unsealed at entry)
- Reusable empty water bottles (free refill points on site!)
- Sun cream, rain ponchos & ear defenders for kids
- Foldable camping chairs or picnic blankets
- Your digital or printed tickets & payment card/cash
No thanks (leave at home)
- Outside alcohol of any kind (strictly prohibited)
- Glass bottles, jars, or containers of any kind
- Open or unsealed drink containers upon entry
- Fireworks, flares, sparklers, or paper lanterns
- Weapons, sharp objects, or anything illegal
- Drones, professional audio/video recording equipment
Be sound
Code of conduct
AycLive is a community festival, run by local volunteers, for music fans and families. We pride ourselves on creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming atmosphere where everyone can have a brilliant time. We’ve got one golden rule: be kind.
Take care of each other, look out for the little ones, respect our venue and neighbours, and help us keep AycLive the friendly event we all love.
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Respect everyone
Show love to fellow festivalgoers, volunteers, bar staff, security, traders, and performers. Kindness is key!
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Family friendly
Little ears and eyes are everywhere! Please keep language and behaviour family-friendly across the field.
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Zero tolerance
Strict zero tolerance for harassment, aggression, anti-social behaviour, or discrimination of any kind.
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Speak up
If something feels off or someone needs help, tell event staff in purple hoodies or high-vis security straight away.
Good neighbours
Respect our local community
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Leaving the site
When heading home at night, please keep noise to a minimum as you exit through surrounding residential streets.
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Keep it clean
Use the rubbish and recycling bins positioned all around the sports field. Help us keep OakLeaf Sports Complex looking spotless!
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Smoking & vaping
Please be mindful of crowd spaces and families around you when smoking or vaping, and dispose of cigarette ends responsibly.
We’ve got you
Safety & wellbeing first
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Who to look for
Our event staff in branded purple AycLive hoodies and our security team in high-vis are stationed right across the site to look after you.
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Immediate assistance
If you feel unsafe, witness anti-social behaviour, or notice someone who looks unwell, approach any member of staff immediately.
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Right to refuse
Anyone engaging in aggressive, abusive, or dangerous behaviour will have their wristband removed and be escorted off site without a refund.
Straight talking
Drugs & alcohol policy
AycLive operates a strict zero-tolerance policy towards illegal drugs, legal highs, and psychoactive substances. We want everyone to have a safe, happy, and memorable weekend, which means keeping our site completely drug-free.
All attendees are subject to security searches at the gates. Anyone found in possession of illegal substances will be refused entry or ejected from the site immediately and reported to the police.
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Gate searches
Standard bag and body searches will be carried out at the entry gates. Security teams reserve the right to confiscate prohibited items.
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Banned items
Illegal drugs, ‘legal highs’, nitrous oxide, psychoactive substances, and unlabelled liquids or powders are strictly prohibited on the festival site.
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Safety first
If you or a friend have taken something and feel unwell, please don’t hesitate or worry about getting into trouble—our Welfare and Medical teams are trained to provide confidential, non-judgmental care.
At the bar
Bar rules & age verification
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Challenge 25 in operation
Our bars operate a strict Challenge 25 policy. If you are lucky enough to look under 25, please be ready to show valid photo ID (passport, driving licence, or PASS card).
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Under-18s
Under-18s will not be served alcohol under any circumstances. Proxy purchasing (buying alcohol for anyone under 18) is strictly illegal and will result in immediate ejection for both parties.
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Colour-coded wristbands
Remember, all children and young people are issued age-specific colour-coded wristbands at entry, allowing bar staff and security to quickly identify age brackets at a glance.
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Outside alcohol
No outside alcohol is permitted on site under our venue licence. Our friendly festival bars are fully stocked with a wide range of alcoholic and soft drinks.
Need us?
Contact on the day
On site, the fastest way to get help is to talk to any steward or volunteer, or head to the info point.
An on-the-day contact number is TBC. Before the festival, email hello@ayclive.co.uk.
In an emergency, always call 999.
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Stewards & event staff
Look out for our event team wearing branded purple AycLive hoodies and our helpful security staff in high-vis—they’re stationed all over the site!
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Info point
Clearly signposted on the festival field and marked on your site map for any questions, lost property, or help.
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Email
hello@ayclive.co.uk (monitored regularly ahead of the event)
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Emergency
Call 999 or notify the nearest member of staff immediately
Still gotquestions?
You’re welcome to bring sealed food boxes, snacks, and unopened soft drinks or water (lids will be unsealed by security at the gate). Please leave outside alcohol and glass at home, as our fully stocked bars and fantastic local street food traders have everything you need on site!
Big news for 2027: we’re welcoming festivalgoers of all ages across the whole weekend! Under-fives go free on both days, with anyone under 16 needing to be accompanied by an adult (18+).
Yes! Just keep your official wristband on and you can pop out and back in as you please. Re-entry closes at 9:30 PM on both days, and standard bag security checks apply every time you return.
Clued up?
Now grab your tickets
Fri 23 – Sat 24 July 2027 in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.