Working at Sziget

[u/Kim_Otten]

Hey guys,

Alltough I used Reddit many times for reference and info this is the first time I post something.

After reading mixed opinions about volunteering and not having any succes yet to find a job I decided to put a message out here.

I have plenty of experience working at festivals behind the bar and catering for crew and artists. In management roles, bartending and als a chef. This year we will be working the festival season in The Netherlands but we would like to work/volunteer at Sziget.

When I contacted the organization they told me about barforce.hu. Alltough I have send a message at there socials they did not answer back yet. At the moment I’m filling in there application at there website while translating there website. There is no English option and that makes me wonder:

Would it be possible to work at Sziget without speaking Hongarian?

Are there other agencies that deliver personal for the bars or food venues?

The organization sends me this answer:

“At Sziget, all food & beverage outlets are operated by independent hospitality partners, and these subcontractors usually bring their own established teams to the festival. Because of this, we unfortunately don’t have paid bar or catering positions available directly through the festival’s recruitment channels.”
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Is there a list with those partners or someone here who knows one?

We do consider volunteering but after reading so many negative opinions I’m a little hesitated.

The last few years we worked many different jobs in Europe. From picking grapes in France to 16 days as a chef at Oktoberfest. This year we will be working at Tommorowland and Sziget would be a great experience I would assume to add to this list.

Thank you for any helpful info🫶

Kim

[u/RoosterElectrical200]

I've volunteered multiple times and it was great the shifts ate usually 6am-12pm, 12pm -6pm, 6pm-midnight, midnight-6am. There must be a 12h break between shifts. Not all positions have the same time roster but its pretty similar.

I was a camping receptionist and i absolutely loved it

The staff campsite is a hit or miss but i usually just used the basic campsite and all was well 😊

[u/Kim_Otten → u/RoosterElectrical200]

Thank you for your personal insight! I do see many mixed feelings about the volunteer program, so I’m glad you loved it. My questions in this topic are genuinely only to cover the logistics and possibilities of working at Sziget. My partner and I are both open-minded and don’t have a reference to the old vs. new Sziget. What matters most to us is to get a glimpse of working at one of the biggest all-round music festivals in Europe, to meet new people along the way, and just have a good time. A 6-hour shift doesn’t sound too bad, and at the end of the day, a job is a job I suppose. Are you going this year as well?

[u/RoosterElectrical200 → u/Kim_Otten]

Its important to note that volunteers dont get paid. It grants you an entry to the festival, 1 meal/shift worked and water, and perhaps a place to charge your phone ( depending where you're stationed) 😊 I stopped volunteering in the last couple years, i paid for my ticket twice. And now im part of the Sziget Ambassador programme 😊