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Festival guide: festival essentials & packing list

You're most probably looking forward to your first festival, but you're probably thinking about what to take with you and what’s the best way to get everything done. There is a lot to consider such as the perfect tent, meals and practising good cleanliness and hygiene at a festival. We have put together a useful festival checklist and the most important tips on preparing for a festival so that is it easy and stress-free.

Contents:



Festival packing list and tips for your first festival

Feeling excited about your first festival but getting everything ready can be a challenge. We have summarised a couple of handy tips in our festival guide below so that you don’t forget anything:

  • Using a festival packing list is a great way not to forget anything. Please make sure to check any rules or guidelines from the organiser before packing. There you can find useful information on items, which are prohibited at the festival for example glass bottles or charcoal barbecues.

  • If you’re travelling by car with friends, make sure to check the day before that all the camping equipment will fit in the boot. You may not need some items or maybe you can take a more portable version of some items, which will help you to save on weight and space.

  • If you’re planning on spending several days at a festival, it is a good idea to take a power bank with you to charge your smartphone.

  • You should always carry your most important valuables around with you in a bumbag such as your smartphone and wallet. Otherwise, you should maybe consider leaving other valuables at home, for example, an expensive camera.

  • Most well-known music festivals take place in fields, where the ground is often muddy especially when it begins to rain. Wearing sturdy shoes would be the best option or even make sure to pack a pair of wellington boots for any emergencies. Shoes such as sandals or open-toe shoes are not ideal as your feet will end up getting cold and muddy.

  • If possible, in advance you should familiarise yourself with the festival map and the line-up so that you don’t end up walking around getting lost on your first day.

  • If you’re travelling via car before setting off, make sure to check for carparks near the festival grounds. If there is a long walk from the car to the campsite, you should take this into account when packing or if possible, bring along any aids such as a sack truck.

Festival essentials for your festival packing list

Whilst packing for a festival, it can be sometimes difficult to keep track of all the items you will need. Below you will find a handy festival packing list.

Festival checklist: important basics

  • Festival tickets or enough money to purchase the tickets there

  • Wallet or purse with enough cash

  • ID

  • Smartphone and charger, if possible, a power bank

  • Bring enough water

  • Earplugs

  • Phone bags for valuables

Festival packing list: camping equipment and useful gadgets

  • Tent and a pavilion if necessary

  • Sleeping bag

  • Camping mat and or an air mattress

  • Pillows

  • A yoga mat as an additional mat for sleeping

  • Camping chairs and a foldable table if necessary

  • Battery-powered torch with batteries

  • Armour Tape

  • Pocket knife

  • Camping mallet for putting up a tent

  • Bin bags

Festival packing list: toiletries & medication

  • Toothbrushes and toothpaste

  • Shower gel and shampoo

  • (Organic) dry shampoo

  • Comb

  • Towel

  • Flipflops

  • Deodorant

  • Tissues

  • Disinfectants

  • Environmentally friendly wet wipes

  • First aid kit and plasters

  • Painkillers or tablets for medication for headaches, diarrhoea, etc or any emergency medication

  • Sun cream

  • Personal medication

  • Compact mirror if needed

  • Insect repellent if needed

  • Any women’s toiletries if needed

Festival packing list: food and drink

  • Water and non-alcoholic drinks

  • Camping stove

  • Lighter or matches

  • Tin opener, bottle opener

  • Cooler box

  • Food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner: tinned stew/pasta dishes, bread, salads, preserved fruit, or if needed any pre-grilled food

  • Reusable crockery and cutlery

  • Sponge and tea towels

Festival packing list: clothes

Stylish festival must-haves:
Tip

Arriving earlier can be a great way to find the perfect spot to set up your tent. Generally, the campsites are quieter the further they are away from the entrance to the festival grounds. Make sure you set up your tent near the entrance if you would prefer to party around the clock. There are some spots, where you should avoid setting up your tent such as near the toilets.

How to find the right tent for a festival

During a festival, your tent is often the only place of retreat, whether you're looking for shelter from the bad weather or to recharge your batteries at the end of a long day. Choosing the right festival tent is a key part of preparing for a festival so that you can enjoy the event stress-free. You should keep the following features listed below in mind when choosing a tent:

  • Your tent should be easy to put up and take down. It is a good idea to practice setting up a new tent before going to the festival.

  • You need to choose the right tent size depending on how many people will be sharing it, as everyone needs to be able to store their luggage in the tent. If you are at a festival with a few friends, a small awning or a pavilion can provide extra space to relax, eat and spend time together. You always need to keep the weight of any additional camping gear in mind, which you may want to bring.

  • The tent needs to be waterproof to be prepared for all weather conditions. A water column between 2.000 and 3.000 millimetres is recommended to keep you dry during any showers. A water column of approx. 4.000 to 5.000 millimetres is advisable if heavy rain is forecast.

  • People quite often have a barbecue at festivals, or they use a gas cooker, therefore your tent should also be made from flame-retardant material.

  • Ideally for festivals in midsummer your tent should have a special silicone coating to offer strong UV protection. However, tents made from high-quality materials and with special coatings are more expensive.

  • To make sure you can quickly find your tent even in a crowded field it's best to choose one in a bright colour. You could also make your own flag to help your tent stand out so that it is easier to find.

Tip

If you're looking to save and you’re opting for a cheaper option when it comes to tents then we have a couple of useful tips for you: pack a few of your spare clothes in a bin liner or a sealable freezer bag to protect them from getting wet. Simply by using a tent tarp you can stop your tent from becoming too wet. When it comes to the cheaper models, you do need to make sure that the zips and seams are good quality to help keep your tent safe and dry.

Good hygiene practice at festivals

Things rarely stay clean at a festival in comparison to being at home, for example, muddy shoes, sweaty clothes or stains from drinks are a part of the whole festival experience. Most festivalgoers are therefore less fussy than they usually would be when it comes to staying clean. Follow our helpful tips below on how to practice good hygiene at a festival:

  • To avoid any awkward moments when going to the toilet make sure to always take your own toilet paper with you.

  • Hand and surface disinfectant help to keep your hands clean as it is practical for public toilets when there is nowhere you can wash your hands. Disposable toilet seat covers made from paper can help to reduce any worry about using a public toilet.

  • If you’re planning on taking a shower during the festival then you should take the following items with you: shampoo, shower gel, towels and flipflops, which are very important.

  • Wet wipes are often recommended if there are no showers available or if you just want to have a quick freshen up. It's best to use environmentally friendly biodegradable wet wipes.

  • Using dry shampoo can help to make your hair feel cleaner. This also helps to stop your hairline from feeling greasy. A more environmentally friendly alternative is dry shampoo in a powder form, which you can find in any natural and organic cosmetic shop.

  • If you want to check your make-up and hair, then you should pack a small pocket mirror.

Practicing good hygiene at a festival isn’t always easy, but it is very important. However, following the above tips will help you to feel clean and refreshed.

Tip

Staying up late and partying all night long is normal at festivals. To feel energised and fresh for the rest of your stay you should try and get some rest. A sleeping mask or foam earplugs can help you to sleep better at a festival.

Conclusion: festival packing list and everything you need to know for your first festival

The most important part of the planning is having the right equipment as your tent will be your home for the next couple of days. In addition to having the right tent, you should also think about non-perishable foods, toiletries and good outdoor clothing. Depending on the time of year you should be prepared for all weather conditions as well as hot days and cold nights. Drawing up a festival checklist can help you to keep track of everything so that you won’t forget anything.

Discover more festival tips:

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References and further information:

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/best-food-to-take-to-festivals
(Last accessed on 01.08.2024)

https://www.initial.com/blog/hand-hygiene/9-tips-on-keeping-clean-and-healthy-at-festivals/
(accessed on 22.03.2022)

https://www.t3.com/features/best-festival-tents
(Last accessed on 01.08.2024)

The image sources in this text are in chronological order:

Cover photo: iStock.com/Halfpoint
1. Image in text: monkeybusinessimages
2. Image in text: iStock.com/monkeybusinessimages
3. Image in text: iStock.com/Halfpoint