Festival Essentials: Must-Have Items for Every Music Festival
9th Jun 25
SAVE 25% ON ALL FESTIVAL ESSENTIALS UNTIL 30TH JUNE | SHOP NOW
Festival season is fast approaching, and it’s time to get prepared! Whether you’re doing the full Glastonbury weekend or just the day at Leeds Fest, camping nearby or staying in a hotel, eliminate the stress of packing and predicting the unreliable UK weather with our Festival essentials checklist – so you can enjoy everything your festival has to offer, stress-free.
Want to move fast? Jump to the right section below.
Camping Essentials
There are a number of things to consider when attending a festival of any kind, especially if it lasts more than a day. One thing to consider is where you’ll be sleeping. Some big festivals allow you to camp there, or you might find camping nearby cheaper than a hotel, but that means you need all of the camping essentials to get you through the weekend safe and dry.
Tents
Cheap but good-quality tents are essential! If you’re not a regular camper, you might not want a tent that costs a fortune – you might even be planning to get rid of the tent afterwards. Nevertheless, you need something durable and waterproof to get you and your friends safely through the weekend.
Make sure you’ve checked the festival or campsite regulations for tents and sizes before buying, then you can pick the best tent for you. Consider how many people you’re attending with, too, as a tent could look out of budget, but once split 2 or 4 ways, it isn’t nearly as expensive as you think. Brands such as Trespass or Regatta are great for high-quality equipment that won’t break the bank.
It’s always essential to clean up and dispose of your tent properly after a festival if you don’t plan on keeping it. Some places offer take-back schemes, or if you’ve taken care of it, you might be able to make some money back if you sell it online afterwards.
Camping Beds
Now you have a tent, you need somewhere comfortable to sleep. There are loads of options to choose from. Air beds are usually the go-to choice as they tend to be the comfiest option, but they do require more space in your bag and some way to inflate them once you’re all set up. Or you could try a camping mat. These are definitely easier to travel with, but do tend to be a bit thin for a good night’s sleep.
When it comes to festivals, though, what you’re sleeping on doesn’t always matter too much, as long as you have somewhere to crash at the end of the night (or early the next morning)!
And don’t forget a sleeping bag! That British weather can be unreliable, and you don’t want to be getting caught without a cosy sleeping bag on an unexpectedly chilly night. Most sleeping bags come in a travel bag, so they’re easy to transport and quick to set up and put away when needed.
First Aid
All festivals will have a first aid zone, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t carry some first aid items of your own. You can find small first aid kits that come with a few essentials like antiseptic, plasters, bandages, etc, which can fit in your handbag should you need something small or quickly.
And blister plasters or skin shields are a MUST! You’ll be on your feet all day, sometimes for a few days, and those shoes are bound to rub. The last thing you need is for your feet to hurt all day. So make sure you add a few to your bag so they’re always to hand.
Clothing Essentials
Having the right clothing is important for festival goers. Obviously, you want to look good, but there are some things you can’t do without. Forget what the weatherman says, we all know in the UK the rain can come at any time. You’ll be needing something to keep you dry but not too warm. And let’s not forget a bag to keep your important personal items safe and secure.
Bags
Chances are you won’t want to be dragging a big suitcase around with you when you head to you’re next festival. They’re big and bulky, and storing them can be a pain. For getting your stuff there, you need to be looking for a backpack that can hold 2-3 days’ worth of essentials that’s easy to carry.
For day-to-day items, a small handbag or a bum bag can be perfect for carrying around. They don’t tend to get in the way, and fit just enough for your stuff to get you by. Just make sure you’ve checked the events bag policy ahead of time to make sure your bag isn’t too big, and most events complete bag searches, so remember the smaller your bag, the quicker you’re getting in!
Waterproof Coats
Thin, waterproof jackets or foldaway coats are perfect for festivals in the UK. Most are small or thin enough to fit in your bag or keep on throughout the day without getting in your way too much.
And if you don’t fancy having a coat with you, then an emergency poncho is a must! Cheap, colourful, storable, and you can even pop it straight in the bin once the sun has come back out!
Sun glasses
We’ve talked a lot about being caught in the rain, but let’s not forget that the sun always tries to make an appearance (or at least we hope it does). That means you’ll need a stylish pair of sunglasses on hand for when the opportunity arises.
Footwear
We’ve mentioned having blister plasters on hand to keep your feet from hurting, but proper footwear is a must too. Most festivals are in big, open fields, so having a pair of wellies or hiking boots is probably the most sensible choice for footwear. Both options should keep your feet clean and dry, and a thick pair of walking socks should keep them comfy on your feet.
Personal Essentials
When you’re not in your tent, you’ll want to make sure you have some essential items on you at all times. You’ll be outside for long periods of time in unpredictable weather and sometimes in the middle of nowhere. You need to make sure you’re safe, hydrated, dry and warm, and most importantly, contactable!
Portable Charger
Having plenty of battery on your phone is essential so that you can keep in touch with friends whilst still getting all of those festival photos and videos. So having a portable charger in your bag is vital. Whilst most places you’ll stay at will have some electricity or way to charge your phone, chances are you won’t have access to this during the day.
So make sure you have a fully charged protable charger and compatible wire in your bag to keep your battery topped up for when you need it most.
Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is really important, so having a water bottle to hand is a must. Festivals are busy, and you probably don’t want to spend all of your time queuing for a drink. If you’re outdoors all day, especially in the sun, it’s essential to stay hydrated. Especially if alcohol joins the mix, having a water bottle on hand is vital to keeping you healthy and safe so that you can make the most of your festival experience.
Most festivals have free water points that you can use to fill up refillable water bottles, so make sure you have one in your bag during the day. If you don’t have space for a full-sized water bottle, you can try foldable ones that don’t require as much space.
And on the topic of alcohol, if you’re trying to save money, some festivals will let you take your own alcohol in (check the rules first), so why not grab a hip flask to keep in your bag?
Torch
Most festivals can be on well into the night, and if you’re wanting to make the most of your time there, chances are you’re going to be heading back to your tent in the dark. Having a small torch in your bag can be really helpful for helping you find your way back. Most camping areas have reduced lighting, so finding your tent might be a struggle without one.
Before you set off first thing, make sure you take note of what’s around your tent, hotel or car. Look for something that stands out that you can use to guide yourself back later. That way, when you’re heading back, you have something to look out for and your torch to help guide the way. The last thing you need after being on your feet all day is to get lost!
Before beginning any exercise or nutrition program, consult your physician, doctor or other professional. This is especially important for individuals over the age of 35 or persons with pre-existing health problems. Exercise.co.uk assumes no responsibility for personal injury or property damage sustained using our advice.
If you experience dizziness, nausea, chest pain, or any other abnormal symptoms, stop the workout at once and consult a physician or doctor immediately.
10% off
