A vibrant summer of music festivals has officially arrived and we couldn’t be more excited. The lights, colors, sounds– music festivals are a full-body experience. Seeing your favorite artists perform live as you dance with fellow fans is a surreal and memorable experience. And whether you’re a seasoned festival-goer or a first-timer, this year will have something for everyone. In this post, we will give you the lowdown on the best ways to enjoy whichever music festival you choose to attend this year. Everything from tips for camping with the family or a group, to what tent you should bring, and so much more.
Packing
You won’t want to leave home without these essentials:
Ticket
Most festivals provide you with a digital ticket. Make sure you have ready access to get scanned in, or even download it to your phone wallet for instant access.
Sun Protection
Oftentimes music festivals take place in open land with limited natural shade. Especially in peak desert heat, keeping cool quickly becomes a distinct part of the festival experience. Bring ample sunblock for yourself and your friends!
Hydration
Besides bringing a water bottle or water bladder for your daypack, it’s a good idea to bring water jugs to have at your campsite! Sometimes lines are long at water stations, and it’s nice to be able to fill up first thing in the morning before you head out.
Walking Shoes
You can really put on some miles at festivals getting from one stage to the next. Bring some trusty, broken-in walking shoes to support all that dancing you’ll be doing.
Navigation
Festivals that cover large areas of land can get confusing– download a map of the area beforehand or be ready to use your phone for navigating. Don’t forget to put a pin in your maps of your campsite.
Daypack
Something like a fanny pack or small backpack is perfect (check bag restrictions on festival websites before attending).
Earplugs
Sound damage to your ears is no joke. Bring some earplugs to help muffle the noise a bit– you can even buy concert-quality ear plugs for a clearer listening experience! These are also essential if you want to get a decent night of sleep as the partying usually goes on till dawn.
Wipes & Sanitizer
You’re really roughing it out there sometimes at festivals. Bring along somebody wipes and sanitizer to keep nice and clean!
Portable Charger
Between using your phone for tickets, navigation, and of course tons of photos, don’t let the battery life slip away!
Weather
Familiarize yourself with the expected forecast before leaving for your destination. Because it’s summer, you can expect the heat. But you may want to be aware of possible summer storms, monsoons, humidity, and winds. The peak of summer heat sometimes means wildfires, so be mindful of any smoke in the air.
Tent
But what will be your festival oasis? Festival tents are a really fun part of the experience. This becomes your place to host, escape, and recharge. Pick one that’s weather-appropriate– canvas wall tents, such as yurts or bell tents, that have been UV-treated and waterproofed are ideal for summer music festivals. Having large door flaps that can be pinned open for ventilation is a huge plus, especially if you have multiple people coming in and out. It’s helpful, too, as you’re personalizing your tent to add something to the exterior to help you identify your camping area as you navigate through a sea of other tents. Brightly colored lights can be really helpful and double as illumination for your campsite!
Gear
When it comes to the extra gear you’ll be packing, try to stick to your usual camping checklist. Sleeping bags and pads, fans, a charging station, cooler and ice, some portable chairs and blankets (that can double as festival seating), speakers, water jugs, etc.
Meal Prep
Festival food is delicious and often pretty pricey. Getting people together at the campsite for meals is both more cost-effective and a great way to build community. If you plan to cook at your campsite, check the festival’s website for restrictions on what you can use to cook.
In the heat of the summer and the amount you’ll be exerting yourself, it’s nice to know you’re eating food that is replenishing to your needs. So plan on easy-to-prepare meals for you and your group. Over a basic camp stove with your favorite camp kitchen essentials, simple meals are the way to go.
Tips for Group & Family Camping
Camping with a family or group adds such a special element to a festival experience. Not only are you creating memories that will last a lifetime, but you’re also getting to bond in a unique way and in the close quarters of camping. We recommend making sure your tent is big enough before leaving– practice setting it up beforehand so that when you arrive, everyone knows what to do and you can get straight to partying. Prep plenty of food, and be mindful of people’s preferences, allergies, restrictions, etc. Have plenty of portable chargers or even a charging station. Portable foldable chairs, tables, and plenty of blankets will ensure everyone has a seat for chilling and viewing artists. And lastly, bring plenty of games and activities to keep everyone busy during downtime and to act as icebreakers!
Attending with Groups
Going to a music festival with a group is one of the best parts of attending. Aside from the music, enjoying festivities around the campgrounds is such a unique way to bond and create memories with new and old friends. Because some festivals cover a larger expanse, make sure to have that group chat set up beforehand and keep your phones close. It’s easy to lose small items in the midst of moving and grooving, but having a means of communication with your group or for emergency purposes is absolutely essential. Typically festivals create a very welcoming community so as always, make sure you have people who know where you are, and that you’re always able to get back to your campsite safely.
Attire
If ever there was a time to go all out, this is it! Dressing up to match the vibe of the festivities or your favorite artists is a quintessential aspect of music festivals. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy or expensive, but putting together looks with your group is a super fun way to immerse yourself in music festival culture. Dressing up together is actually a helpful little hack when it comes to trying to find each other in a crowd.
There are a plethora of festivals of all genres happening this summer, so you really can’t go wrong with whichever you decide to attend! Remember to be responsible, and have fun!