Rain fails to dampen spirits as Glastonbury delivers surprises, art, music and a proposal

Glastonbury Festival’s second day delivered a heady mix of torrential downpours, art installations, secret gigs and emotional moments, proving once again why Worthy Farm is the beating heart of British festival culture.

On Thursday, more festivalgoers poured into the site, wristbands in place and tents secured, ready to explore before the main music line-up kicks off on Friday. They were greeted with classic Glastonbury chaos—soaked grass, sudden sunshine, and plenty of eccentricity.

Campers woke to rivers of water carving through the grass following a dawn deluge. Yet, in true festival fashion, many simply huddled under trees in shorts and sunglasses, waiting for the skies to clear.

As the sun eventually made its return, revellers ventured across the sprawling site to discover the weird and the wonderful.

A surprise visual sparked excitement when a board appeared depicting a migrant raft—a reference to the inflatable boat carried across the crowd during Idles’ set last year. The artwork, screwed to a wall in a poster shop, bore the hallmark of the elusive artist Banksy. While unconfirmed, many believe it to be his latest subtle nod to social commentary within Glastonbury’s creative playground.

Festival founder Michael Eavis made an unexpected appearance at Carhenge, where a newly unveiled portrait of him was met with warm applause and cheers. Still very much the soul of Glastonbury, his presence reminded many of the festival’s humble beginnings and enduring spirit.

On route to the farm, festivalgoers on a train from Paddington were treated to an impromptu acoustic performance by Sam Ryder. The Eurovision star and “Space Man” singer lit up the carriages with soaring vocals, previewing the magic of his upcoming Saturday set.

Fitness fanatic Joe Wicks brought high energy to the Gateway stage, leading crowds through a mass workout in the morning drizzle. Trainers slipped in the mud, but the crowd remained undeterred as laughter and music blended into the damp morning air.

Meanwhile, at the Terminal 1 art experience, festivalgoers were treated to immersive performance theatre mimicking a surreal airport terminal. A woman smiled warmly as she handed a pair of boots to a young girl inside the installation, one of many moments that blurred the line between audience and performer.

As the mud dried and the evening sun cast long shadows over the site, festivalgoers soaked up spectacular hilltop views, a helter-skelter on the horizon and flags fluttering in the breeze. The landscape transformed from waterlogged to wonderful in a matter of hours.

Love also found its place among the madness. Jim Christopher dropped to one knee in front of the iconic Glastonbury sign, proposing to his girlfriend Neve Workman. Cheers erupted from onlookers, marking another chapter in the growing tradition of on-site festival proposals.

Thursday’s blend of unexpected art, celebrity moments, communal workouts and heartfelt emotion encapsulated what Glastonbury does best—delivering a world beyond the music. With the main stage still to come alive, the sense of anticipation continues to build across the festival fields.

As the evening lights flickered on and the beats from hidden sound systems pulsed through the night, day two closed on a high, muddy boots and all.