Ultimate Festival Packing Guide: Essentials and Pro Tips for a Hassle-Free Experience

Getting ready for your next festival? Overwhelmed or unsure of what to pack? Well, you’ve made it to the right place! Attending a festival is an exhilarating experience filled with vibrant energy, your favorite music, and unforgettable memories. To make the most of your upcoming adventure, you have to make sure you are ready and proper packing is the key. This festival packing guide will prepare you to ensure you have everything you will need and prepare you like a pro. Let’s get to it!

Step 1: Research the Festival

Before you start rummaging through your closet and tearing your room apart for what to bring, research the festival that you are attending to get some information on the weather and the venue layout, and familiarize yourself with the festival rules and restrictions. Doing this would give you the foundation for the type of clothing, shoes, and essentials you may need. 

Step 2: Gather the Essentials 

Your next step is to set up a location in your room or space that you are packing to put the absolute must-haves that you cannot forget. Here are some essential items to pack: 

• Personal Medication: Any medication you take on the daily or may need! We wanna make sure you are happy and healthy. 
• Tickets/wristbands and identification: I’d recommend having a secure bag where you can keep your tickets, wristbands, ID or passport, and any other necessary documents that you will need for travel and to get into the festival. 
• Wallet: Ensure you have enough cash/money for food, merchandise, transportation, and emergencies. Many festivals today have gone cashless, so bring a debit or credit card for convenience. 
• First aid kit: It’s better to be over than under-prepared. Put together a basic first aid kit with band-aids, pain relievers, sunscreen, emergency blankets, allergy medication, and other personal essentials. 
• Portable charger: I always bring two for myself and one incase a friend is in need, but remember keeping your phone charged allows you to stay connected and capture memories!
• Fannypack or Hydrationpack: Having a sturdy and reliable daypack is essential for carrying your belongings and having easy access to water. 

Step 3: Clothing & Shoes

Picking out your outfits for festivals is a thrilling task; you get to show off your personally, and experiment with fashion, but remember to pack clothing that is also comfortable, functional, and importantly that suits the weather conditions!

• Festival outfits: Remember to take some cute pictures 🙂 
• Lightweight clothing: Pack a mix of shorts, shirts, tanks, and pajamas 
• Layer up: Bring a light jacket or hoodie for cooler temperature drops 
• Underwear and socks: Pack enough pairs to last throughout the festival, dont forget about travel! 
• Shoes: Use the information from your fest research to see what would be ideal for the festival. Don’t forget your shower shoes if you are camping. 

Step 4: Toiletries & Personal Care

We all know how important personal hygiene is during festivals; here are some toiletries to include in your packing: 

• Travel-sized toiletries: Opt for smaller versions of essentials such as toothpaste, shampoo and body soaps, toothbrush, deodorant, and wet wipes
• Hand sanitizer: Perfect for maintaining cleanliness in crowds, before eating, or if you touch something dirty 
• Tissues: You may consider bringing a small toilet paper roll, I always carry pocket-sized packs, baby wipes, and body wipes

Step 5: Miscellaneous

Some items to enhance and ensure you’re fully prepared: 

• Quality earplugs: Protect your ears during the festival and a pair for sleeping
• Snacks & waterbottle: Pack festival-approved snacks to keep you going throughout the day
• Extra bags: Ziplock bags, shoe bags, dirtbags 
• Fun Accessories: Bring some fun toys such as rubber duckies, Kandi to trade, or glow sticks to hand out

Now that you are equipped, and a packing pro, the last thing to bring is your beautiful face and high energy! Have fun!