How to Prep for a Music Festival

Author:: Jessica Rougas

Jessica is an avid music fan. She currently lives in Boulder, CO. where she frequents music festivals.

Going to a music festival can be one of the most rewarding experiences you can give yourself. However, if you are not a seasoned attendee, the task of preparing and packing can be daunting! I have put together this article to ease your mind and make the preparation process easier on you. So sit back, enjoy, and take notes. Here we go!

How to Prep for a Music Festival

Step 1: Research your location.
Step 2: Create a festival essentials list.
Step 3: Research tips and DIY ideas.

Step 1: Research Your Location.

Each music festival is in a different location, so properly prepare by doing some research.

Before each festival that I attend, I do these two things:

Search the weather: Make sure to search the weather conditions of the location at the time of year you will be attending. This will give you an idea of what to pack. Make sure you look at night and day highs and lows. It is a good idea to consider all times of the day. You never know how late you will be exploring.
Utilize social media: Getting on discussion boards for the festival you are attending gives you first hand advice from people who have previous experience. You can learn useful information by reading about what experiences others have had.

Step 2: Create a Festival Essentials List.

This year marks my ninth festival season. Over the years, I've learned some important lessons. This is my essentials list. Hopefully, this gets you thinking about what you want at your campsite.

Festival Essentials List


Essentials	Explanation
Tent	Stay warm and cozy while you sleep.
Easy up	Shade is key.
Rope	Bring extra. You never know what you will have to tie down.
Stakes	It might get windy.
Mallet	You've got to hammer down those stakes!
Tarps	It always seems to rain at least once.
Tapestries	Tapestries are nice to sit on and give added shade to your home.
Sleeping mat	Personally, two Moon Mats and I am good.
Coolers	Bring one for food and one for drinks.
Hot plate	This is a a quick and cheap way to have a meal.
Reusable plates and cutlery	Again, be good to the environment.
French press for coffee	You'll save so much money.
Chairs and table	Have a place to play games and eat with friends.
Lantern, head lamp, flashlight	Keep from getting lost or losing items.
Sunscreen	Nothing's worse than spending the whole time in pain.
Sunglasses and hats	Keep your face from getting burnt.
Battery packs	For charging phones, lights, etc.
Jumper cables	You just never know.
Garbage bags	Do not litter.
5 HTP	Trust me!
Comfy clothes	Bring what makes you feel best.
Glow sticks	Yes, you need them.
Biodegradable glitter	Be good to the environment.
Dry shampoo	I use an all organic product and my hair stays fresh all weekend.
Bubbles	Just for fun.
Charcoal infused face wipes	Remove makeup, dirt, and debris.
Activated charcoal tablets	Just in case someone parties too hard!
Lighter leash	You will never loose it!
Fanny pack	Keep your hands free while you dance.
Heart shaped sunglasses	Let them know you're full of love!
Lighters	Obviously.
Hair ties and bobby pins	Keep your hair from getting pulled accidentally.
Solar charger	You'll have all those fun lights to charge!
A watch	No one wants to use their phone.
Water bottle or water pouch	Nothing's worse than trying to party while dehydrated.

Step 3: Research Tips and DIY Ideas.

Wherever your music journey takes you, enjoy every moment. Live for the times and memories you will make with new friends and old. This is the time to experience life.

Tips for enjoying your journey:

Make a schedule: This is one of my favorite tips. For each day of the festival, write out an index card that includes set times, the artist name, and where they are performing. I color code my stages, this way you can just glance at the card. It's better than checking your phone for a screen shot.
Set up camp first: Always finish setting up camp before you begin partying too hard. No one wants to be the guy passed out with your tent half set up. Setting up your home first makes for a cozy spot to come back to later.
Create a flag: Create a flag or something identifiable. That way you'll have an easy time finding your home. The worst feeling is walking out of a venue at four A.M. and looking into a sea of tents, unaware of where yours is.
Get the lay of the land: The first day I arrive at a festival (normally on early arrival day) I will walk around the venue to get the lay of the land. If you are attending a huge festival, such as Electric Forest, this is key! It will be such a relief to know where you're going after long evenings of partying.
Do a run through: Make sure all your equipment works and that your atren't missing any pieces. This will ease your mind.
Do not over spend: This is so hard to avoid, but what I have practiced over the seasons is to set aside a certain predetermined amount of money. I place the money in envelopes marked for each day. This gives me a spending limit that's easier to stick to. Always have a budget prepared before you leave. Also, make sure to save enough money for an emergency fund.