The best music festival must-haves
From rain ponchos to lighter leashes, here’s everything you need to look fresh, feel fresh, and prepare for whatever festival life throws at you (and trust me, there’s a lot).
You’ve been anticipating your summer festival trip; strategically planning out outfits for each day, and looking for after-party moves… but have you considered what items you need to take with you inside the festival? Sure, you’ve probably thought about packing sunglasses, sunscreen, and a portable charger, but what about a pastor’s hand towel for when you’re dripping in forehead sweat?
Now don’t get me wrong, you want to make sure you keep your bag light, prioritizing essential needs like hydration, but there are some other, more specific concerns you might want to think about when packing for a music festival.
Take me, for instance, my first time at Rolling Loud I lost both of my shoes and my wig slid off thanks to a packed crowd. Lucky for me, I used a friend’s shirt as a headscarf to cover up my exposed cornrows (I did have to walk barefoot that whole day, however).
But thanks to this guide, you’ll be able to pack for music festivals like a pro. So follow this packing list to stay on your P’s and Q’s this festival season!
portable charger
Draining your phone battery right before your favorite artist comes out is something I’ll never wish on my worst enemy. Keeping your phone charged during a festival is super important from capturing every performance to finding directions home. With a portable charger by your side, you won’t have to worry about anything other than having a great time!
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2. COLLAPSIBLE WATER BOTTLE
Listen up y’all, you can’t enjoy a music festival without being properly hydrated, especially in the summer. I know it’s the perfect environment to smoke and drink, but failure to prioritize hydration is a mistake most festival-goers make. The goal of going to a music festival is to have fun, but you can’t do that passed out. To make sure you stay on your A-game, pack a collapsible water bottle in your bag. Most music festivals have free water filling stations too so you don’t have to pay upcharge prices for a single-use water bottle (because $7 for a Dasani is insane).
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3. Liquid i.v.
While we’re still on the topic of staying hydrated, bringing a few Liquid I.V.s in your bag is a great way to boost hydration. These small drink mixes are something I swear by after almost passing out due to heat exhaustion. Just mix one of these with your water to replenish electrolytes and keep your body refreshed all day long!
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4. SUNSCREEN
Sunscreen is another festival essential that goes unnoticed. When you’re in a crowd full of people under the blazing sun, it’s going to be difficult to get some shade. To make sure you protect yourself, and your melanin, packing a travel-size sunscreen is key. When you’re finding the perfect sunscreen, make sure it has UVA and UVB protection, to shield you from the sun’s harmful rays. And don’t forget to re-apply regularly according to your suncreen to maximize protection.
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5. SHOWER WIPES
Standing in the heat surrounded by sweaty, smelly people can leave you feeling dirty. Having a shower wipe handy will help you maintain freshness and cleanliness.
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6. Antibacterial Hand Wipes
This one’s for all my germaphobes out there. Your hands are gonna get pretty dirty while at a music festival. From eating to touching surfaces, you’ll have a lot of dirt and who knows what else on your hands. Antibacterial wipes are your trusty companions, ensuring that you can quickly sanitize your hands and any surfaces you come in contact with.
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7. Portable fan
The best way to escape the heat and keep cool is to have a handheld fan or mister with you.
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8. sunglasses
If you haven’t been able to tell already, a music festival attendee’s biggest enemy is the sun. Luckily with sunglasses, you can stay fly and protect your eyes.
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9. SUNhat
Yet another way to beat the heat! Block the sun or rain with a hat (bucket hats are prime for this). Shade can be minimal at festivals.
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10. Transparent fanny pack
I couldn’t list all of these things to pack without giving you something to hold them in. For festivals that have clear bag regulations, a transparent fanny pack is the way to go for easy access to your belongings.
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11. scarf
Keep your hair in check or just add an extra flair to your outfit with a scarf.
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12. poncho
Most festivals are rain or shine events, so carrying a poncho is clutch for unexpected weather.
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13. lighter leash
If there’s one thing all smokers lose, it’s their lighter, and when you’re in a festival setting sparking up can be a bit of a challenge. You might drop your lighter, or that stranger who asked to borrow it doesn’t give it back. So, for those who don’t trust themselves (or other people) a lighter leash is a convenient way to keep track of your lighter.
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14. Comfortable shoes
Another major part of music festivals is the toll it takes on your legs. You’ll be either walking back and forth between stages, or standing for hours on end. That means that the shoes you wear matter. Make sure you’re picking shoes that work for your personal style while keeping you comfortable. These picks can range from sneakers to sandals, to boots. Keep in mind your shoes are going to be beaten up after the festival is over, so wear shoes you don’t mind getting ruined.
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15. Dr. Scholl’s
For added comfort to your feet and legs, use a shoe insert.
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16. Handheld Mirror
For all my makeup wearers out there I know you’re going to leave the house looking like a 10/10, but that might change a few hours into the music festival. When you mix together sun, sweat, and makeup, things may get ruined. Sometimes a phone camera isn’t enough to show how you really look, so in case you need to touch-up your makeup or check your festival outfit, consider bringing a pocket mirror.
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17. SWEAT Towel
Let me tell you, festival sweat is a different type of sweat. You’ll be standing there feeling like you just got out of the sauna with how much you’ll be dripping. Not to mention the people around you rubbing their sweat on you too (yeah, gross right). If you hate that sweaty feeling, a microfiber sweat cloth is something you need to bring.
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18. Phone lanyard
A phone lanyard is the ultimate festival hack, keeping your phone safe and easily accessible, especially if you’re wearing clothes without pockets, or just worried about losing your device in the crowd.
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19. Earplugs
Protect your ears from loud music and maintain your hearing for future concerts with a pair of earplugs.
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20. Lip Balm
Your lips will get dry with all the singing along, so please don’t forget to bring something to moisturize them.
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21. DISPOSABLE Camera
A disposable camera is great for a carefree way to capture the moment.
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22. Practical, but fashionable clothing
Summer festivals are all about looking and feeling good. When picking out your outfit, make sure you pay close attention to the fabrics you’re wearing. Stick with lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, and rayon. Don’t forget to have fun and play around with different patterns and colors for your fits!
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23. Hydration Pack
Hydration packs are a great investment for frequent festival goers that want easy, accessible hydration.
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24. Mini First Aid Kit
You’d be surprised how many scratches and bruises I left with my first time going to Rolling Loud. If you want to stay on top of your health, carrying a first aid pack with alcohol pads and bandaids will help with covering wounds that may be exposed to sweat and other bodily fluids.
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time to rock out
With these music festival must-haves in your bag, you're all set for an unforgettable experience!
