Festivals are back, and people can’t wait to be back in a field dancing and celebrating with friends old and new. There is an art to packing for a festival – not enough gear and you’ll find yourself lacking basic supplies, but pack too much and you’ll regret having to lug it around the festival site! Sometimes the car park can be miles away from the campsite area, so it’s vital that you pack smartly. Here’s our essential checklist of things to pack for a festival!
Baby wipes
Top of the list of any festival-goer’s packing list should be baby wipes! Seeing as showers will be in short supply, and the portable toilets are never stocked up with toilet paper, you’ll always be glad you remembered to bring some. A packet is small enough to keep in your bag through the weekend, and should last long enough too.
A flask
Most festivals don’t let bottles and glass onsite, so invest in a good quality flask. Of course, you can use it to carry water around with you, but you could also use it to store some wine, beer or spirits to take with you, saving you money at the bar. Choose a flask that’s large enough to carry enough liquid in it, but small enough that you can pop it in your bag and don’t have to carry it around by hand.
A hat
Hats are useful come rain or shine! In the rain, they will keep the rain off your hair, and in the sun they will provide much-needed shade. Find a hat that folds down easily – that way when you’re not wearing it you can pop it in your bag or rucksack.
A blanket
It’s great to have a blanket because it means you can sit down wherever you want, whenever you want. Choose one with a waterproof backing and you can guarantee yourself a dry place to sit even after a shower. Make sure it’s lightweight and easy to fold up and pop in your bag.
Camping gear
Of course, you’ll need a tent, sleeping bag and a rucksack too. While camping at a festival can be pretty basic, it’s also important to make sure you are as comfortable as possible for a good night’s sleep. Never buy the cheapest tent on the market – it will only leak and rip. Instead, buy something that is at least midrange. Invest in a self-inflating air bed to save yourself the hassle of blowing one up, and a warm and cosy sleeping bag which you’ll be glad of after a long day of festivalling!
Don’t forget your ticket, or your money either! It can be hard to get cash out on a festival site – cash machines (if they have them) are often not very reliable and can charge a fortune in fees. So stock up on cash and make sure you have a safe and secure place to store it.
Getting prepared for a festival takes some thought but you’ll be glad you arrived prepared. Make a list of everything you packed, and everything you wish you had packed too – that way the next time you go to a festival you’ll be super-organised!
