Essentials of what to take to a music festival: Ultimate festival packing guide
Music festivals are awesome. They provide a great opportunity to get away from reality and enjoy yourself with friends and family.
But they also present many challenges, including finding food, water, shelter, and entertainment.
This guide will help you prepare for your next music festival trip. It covers everything from how to pack to where to stay.
I’ve compiled a list of essential items that every person should bring to any music festival. These essentials include clothing, toiletries, camping gear, and even emergency supplies.
If you’re planning on going to a music festival soon, make sure you read this guide before heading out.
Here is a packing list of essential items to take to a music festival
Going to a music festival? Don’t forget these important items before you go!
Music festivals are awesome fun times with lots of great bands playing live. But they also present a lot of risks.
Here are some tips to help make sure you enjoy yourself without having any regrets later.
I’ve compiled a list of things to bring to a music festival. These include things you should definitely pack, as well as things you might not even realize you should bring.
Bring your documents, money and tickets
Your ticket – This one is an obvious one. Of course, you need to pack the ticket, but you will be amazed at how many people lose or forget their festival tickets.
Before leaving the house, double and triple-check that you’ve got everything you need, and then check a few times on the way to the festival.
Money and a bank card – If you’re feeling confident enough to bring all the cash you need for the festival with you, then go ahead. I advise against it though.
I prefer to have a little bit of money and my bank card just in case I need more. These days you can even use your phone to pay for stuff so there is that option too.
Just make sure it is an accepted payment method at the festival you are going to.
You shouldn’t worry too much about not having enough money at festivals because there are usually ATMs everywhere.
Just double-check that your bank card will work at the festival if you’re planning to use it there.
Driving license or an I.D card – Don’t let your kid face stop you from drinking alcohol.
Take your driver’s license or an I.D card to prove that you are old enough for the alcohol you want to drink.
What to pack in your bags before going to the music festival
Before going out dancing, be sure to pack everything you need.
When selecting luggage for your trip, keep your destination in your head, and don’t forget that you’re not going to a five-star resort.
That means no bellhops to carry your bags, no turndown services for VIPs, and no safes to store your valuable items.
Plus, do your best to not have to carry huge, heavy suitcases with tires around dirt-covered campsites.
What to carry around with you at the festival ground
You should bring everything you need to be comfortable for a day away from camp in a backpack.
Think of things like hats, water bottles, lightweight clothing, etc., and keep smaller items like your car key and sunglasses in a Waistsack, Neck pouch, or Packing sacs and packing cubes.
They help you organize your festival day bags so they’re easy to find and don’t take up too much space.
Tents – essential for those that want to be at the camping grounds and absorb all the festival has to offer
If you’re not going to stay at a hotel while attending a concert, you’ll most likely be camping.
Camping not only keeps you on-site and near the center of all the fun, but it also helps create an inviting, magical ambiance at outdoor music events.
That is why it is so important to be prepared and have a list of things to take to the festival.
One of the most important things on that list is going to be a tent.
Make sure that there is enough room in the tent for your bedding, a pillow, and any other things you might need during your stay.
Something you should absolutely not forget is a sleeping bag.
If you’re planning to attend a music festival in an area where the weather is typically cool, consider bringing a warmer sleeping bag for use at nighttime.
You might want to bring a blanket too just to make sure you are comfortable and warm.
But wait, there is more!
We are guessing you probably don’t want to get sick because you’ve been sleeping on the ground.
Plus, the grass isn’t exactly 5 stars when it comes to comfort.
If you want to sleep better, get yourself an air mattress.
You’ll need to bring an air pump if you’re bringing an inflatable mattress.
You’ll need to spend some time inflating the airbed instead of relaxing at the festival, and if it gets a blowout you’ll be left sleeping on the cold hard grass unless you have a repair kit with you.
You should always carry a multi-tool, a pocketknife, and a tarp when camping. Sometimes you may want to prepare the ground before setting up camp.
Now, picture yourself at night when there is no light.
You’re tired and maybe a bit less than fresh, but you want to get dressed, find your bottle of water, and/or find your teddy bear.
A headlamp helps you see better at night when attending a music festival.
One last thing to consider before heading out into the festival is a flag.
You can use this to locate your tent among the thousands.
Make sure it stands out from the rest.
Must take electronics (Phone, chargers, camera)
Don’t bring any of your technology equipment into the festival; however, if you’re going to take some electronic devices with you, these are the ones you need.
- A portable stereo system: Of course, there will be music at the festival, but it’ll always be fun to listen to your own tunes. Maybe when you are inside your tent or when you are far away with your friends.
- A portable phone charger
- A Polaroid camera: Perfect for capturing moments.
- Travel fan: A small and lightweight fan to keep you cool at the festival. They are usually USB-charged or battery-operated.
Toiletries to keep yourself fresh and feeling good
You want to keep yourself clean, don’t you?
Do it for yourself, but if not for you, then do it for your friends and fellow festival fans.
These are often some of the least-considered and most-forgotten things among even the experienced veterans.
Make sure you’ve checked off everything on this list before leaving.
- Micellar water – great for removing grime and makeup!
- Reusable cloth wipes
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Tissues & loo roll
- Dry Shampoo
- Deodorant
- Pits & Bits Festival Filthy Festival Wash Kit
- Hand sanitizer.
Medical supplies to treat any misfortunes
It’s important to pack a small medical first aid kit when going camping.
You may want to bring some basic supplies with you when going to a festival, but it’s always better to prepare for everything.
- Antihistamines
- Painkillers
- Any Prescription Medication
- Other medication; antacid tablets etc.
- Contraception
- Plasters (for cuts and blisters)
- Bandages
- Antiseptic cream
The food and drinks to take to a music festival
We recommend bringing snacks that are easy to eat and prepare in the darkness or with limited resources.
We always bring plenty of snacks, sandwiches, and granola bars because those are the foods we tend to snack on the most.
Grilled cheese sandwiches and soup are delicious, especially when it’s cold out.
- Solo Cups
- Water Bottles
- Beer and/or Wine Boxes
- Assortment of Snacks
- Liquor and Mixers