A weekend music festival is equal parts concert, camping trip and endurance test. The music is the reason you go, but what you pack decides whether you spend the weekend dancing or queuing for a phone charger in wet socks. This festival survival guide covers what to bring, what to leave at home and a few habits that make three days in a field far more comfortable.
Start with the festival’s own rules
Every festival publishes a list of permitted and prohibited items, and they differ a lot. Some ban glass, aerosols, gas canisters or large umbrellas; some have strict bag size limits for day entry; some do not allow outside food and drink at all. Read the official page before you shop, because confiscated items are a waste of money and a slow way to get through the gate.
The essentials
- Ticket and ID. Download digital tickets for offline use in case the signal is poor at the entrance, and bring a photo ID that matches the ticket name.
- Payment. Many festivals are cashless, but some stalls still prefer cash. Carry a card, a little cash and keep them in separate places.
- Phone and power bank. A fully charged power bank, plus the right cable, is the single most useful item on this list. Put your phone in low power mode and it will last much longer.
- Reusable water bottle. Most festivals have free water refill points. Check whether bottles must be empty or plastic to get through security.
- Small bag. A cross body bag or a small backpack that zips shut keeps your valuables in front of you in crowds.
Clothing for every kind of weather
Festival weather is famously unpredictable. You can get sunburnt on Friday and ankle deep in mud by Sunday, so pack in layers.
- A waterproof jacket that packs small, or a poncho.
- A warm layer such as a fleece or hoodie. Nights in open fields can be surprisingly cold, even in summer.
- Comfortable, broken in footwear. You will likely walk many miles over the weekend. Waterproof boots are the safest bet if rain is forecast; never bring brand new shoes.
- Plenty of socks. Dry socks are a morale booster. Pack at least one pair per day, plus spares.
- A hat and sunglasses for daytime sets.
- Something to sleep in that is warm and dry.
Camping gear
If you are camping on site, your tent is your home for the weekend.
- A tent you have already pitched once. Practice at home so you are not reading instructions in the dark.
- A sleeping bag suited to cool nights, a sleeping mat or airbed (and a pump), and a small pillow.
- A head torch. It keeps your hands free and makes finding your tent at night much easier.
- Something distinctive for your tent, like a flag or a colored ribbon, so you can spot it among hundreds of identical tents.
- Earplugs and an eye mask. Campsites are rarely quiet and the sun rises early.
- Bin bags, to keep clothes dry, separate muddy items and take your rubbish home.
A padlock on the tent zip does not stop a determined thief, since tent fabric is easy to cut. Keep valuables with you or use the festival’s lockers if they offer them.
Health and hygiene
- Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF.
- Hand sanitizer and wet wipes. Toilet facilities can run low on supplies.
- Toilet paper, in a waterproof bag.
- Any prescription medication in its original packaging, plus basic painkillers, plasters and blister patches.
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and a small towel.
- Earplugs for the music. Musician’s earplugs reduce volume evenly, so the sound stays clear while your hearing is protected. Long sets at close range can cause lasting damage, and hearing loss is permanent.
Food and drink
If the festival allows it, bring easy snacks that survive heat and squashing: cereal bars, nuts, dried fruit, crackers. A simple breakfast you can eat without cooking saves money and time. Check the rules before bringing any camping stove or gas. Most important of all, drink water regularly, especially on hot days or if you are drinking alcohol.
What to leave at home
- Anything valuable or irreplaceable, including expensive jewelry.
- Glass bottles and anything else on the prohibited list.
- Too many outfits. You will live in two or three.
- More cash than you need.
Survival habits that matter more than gear
- Agree on a meeting point with your group in case phones die or the network is overloaded. A landmark that does not move, like a specific food stall or a sign, works best.
- Write down one emergency phone number on paper or on your arm.
- Find the medical tent and information point when you arrive.
- Pace yourself. Eat proper meals, rest in the afternoon if you need to and do not try to see every act.
- Look out for each other. If a friend feels unwell, get help from staff or medics rather than waiting.
- Leave no trace. Take your tent and your rubbish home. Abandoned tents are a real problem for many festivals.
A quick packing checklist
Ticket and ID, card and some cash, phone, power bank and cable, water bottle, waterproof jacket, warm layer, boots, socks, hat, sunscreen, earplugs, medication, toiletries, toilet paper, wet wipes, head torch, tent, sleeping bag, mat, pillow, bin bags and snacks. Pack the night before, check it against the festival rules, and you are ready to enjoy the music.