Everything you need to prepare for a multi-day music or arts festival, from tickets and camping gear to hydration strategy and post-festival recovery.
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Tickets and Passes
Buy tickets during early-bird sales for 30-40% savings
Most major festivals release early-bird tiers 6-9 months before the event. Tier 1 tickets often sell out within 48 hours, so set calendar reminders for the on-sale date.
Choose pass type: single-day, weekend, or full festival
Weekend passes typically cost 2.5x a single-day ticket but cover 3 days, making them roughly 15-20% cheaper per day. VIP upgrades average $150-300 extra and include dedicated viewing areas.
Purchase camping or parking add-ons separately if required
Car camping passes ($50-150) sell out faster than general camping. Many festivals charge $20-60 for day parking, so carpooling with 3-4 people cuts costs significantly.
Register your wristband or ticket online before arrival
Registration links typically open 2-3 weeks before the festival. Completing it early lets you skip the registration tent line, which can take 45-90 minutes on opening day.
Accommodation Setup
Decide between on-site camping, nearby hotel, or glamping
Hotels within 10 miles of major festivals charge 2-4x normal rates during event weekends. Booking 4-6 months ahead locks in reasonable prices. On-site camping keeps you close but means less sleep.
Book hotel or glamping package early if skipping tent camping
Arrange shuttle or rideshare if staying off-site
Test all camping gear at home before the trip
Set up your tent in the backyard at least once. A 2-person tent fits one person and gear comfortably — go up one size from your group count. Inflatable sleeping pads ($30-60) are worth every penny on packed dirt.
Check tent for holes, broken poles, or stuck zippers
Pack a tarp for under the tent and a second one for shade
Bring battery-powered fans and extra shade structures
Temperatures inside tents can reach 100°F+ by 9 AM in summer. A pop-up canopy ($40-80) over your tent drops interior temps by 15-20 degrees. A small USB fan running off a power bank helps at night.
Festival Packing Essentials
Pack high-SPF sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours
SPF 50 blocks about 98% of UVB rays. Bring at least two 3-oz bottles for a 3-day festival. Spray sunscreen is faster to apply in crowds but less effective if not rubbed in.
Bring earplugs rated for at least 20dB noise reduction
Concert sound levels hit 100-115 dB near stages, which causes hearing damage after 15 minutes of exposure. Musician-grade earplugs ($15-30) reduce volume evenly without muffling the music.
Pack a lightweight rain poncho and waterproof bag for electronics
A $5 disposable poncho takes up less space than a rolled sock. Dry bags ($8-12) keep your phone, wallet, and portable charger safe. Mud boots or waterproof shoes save you if the grounds get soaked.
Wear broken-in shoes with arch support
You'll walk 8-12 miles per day at a large festival. New shoes cause blisters within hours on uneven ground. Bring a second pair so you can rotate if one gets wet.
Carry a small backpack or fanny pack for daily essentials
Most festivals restrict bag size to 12x12x6 inches for general admission. Clear bags speed up security checks by 5-10 minutes. Keep your ID, cash, phone, and sunscreen accessible.
Money and Payments
Check if the festival uses cashless payment wristbands
About 60% of major festivals now use RFID wristbands linked to a credit card. Load $50-75 per day for food and drinks. Unspent balances are refundable but can take 2-4 weeks to process.
Pre-load funds onto your wristband before arriving
Set a daily spending cap to avoid overspending
Bring $50-100 in small bills as backup cash
Cash is still useful for unofficial vendors, tips, and when RFID systems go down. ATMs at festivals charge $5-8 per transaction and often run out by Saturday afternoon.
Budget $30-50 per day for food and drinks on-site
Festival meals average $12-18 each, and drinks run $8-15. Eating a big breakfast at camp before entering the venue saves $15-20 per day. Water refill stations are free at most festivals.
Hydration, Food, and Health
Bring a refillable water bottle or hydration pack
You need 3-4 liters of water per day in hot weather with physical activity. A 2-liter hydration pack worn as a backpack keeps your hands free. Freeze a bottle overnight to have cold water into the afternoon.
Pack electrolyte powder or tablets for each day
Water alone doesn't replace salts lost through sweat. One electrolyte packet per liter during peak heat hours (11 AM - 4 PM) prevents headaches and fatigue. Buy a 30-pack for about $12.
Stock camp food that needs no refrigeration
Granola bars, trail mix, peanut butter, tortillas, and dried fruit last 3+ days in heat. A small cooler with ice keeps fruit, deli meat, and drinks cold for the first day but becomes dead weight after that.
Pack a basic first aid kit with blister bandages and pain relievers
Moleskin or blister-specific bandages ($6) prevent a minor hotspot from ruining your weekend. Add antihistamines for dust and pollen — large outdoor venues kick up significant allergens.
Communication and Logistics
Bring a portable charger with at least 20,000mAh capacity
A 20,000mAh power bank charges most phones 4-5 times. Festival cell towers get overloaded, and your phone burns battery faster searching for signal. Airplane mode between sets saves 40-50% battery.
Charge the power bank fully the night before each day
Bring a short charging cable to keep in your pocket
Set a physical meeting point with your group
Cell service drops to near zero during headliner sets when 50,000+ people are texting simultaneously. Pick a landmark visible from a distance — a specific flag, art installation, or food vendor at the edge of the crowd.
Download the festival app and offline schedule before arriving
Wi-Fi is nonexistent at most festival grounds. The app typically includes maps, set times, and stage locations. Screenshot your must-see schedule so it's accessible without data.
Plan post-festival recovery with a rest day before returning to work
Festival fatigue hits hardest 24-36 hours after the final day. Driving home the morning after the last night adds drowsy-driving risk. Schedule at least one full day off between the festival end and your next obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I avoid overpacking?
Lay out everything you think you need, then remove 30% of it. Pack items that mix and match into multiple outfits using neutral colors that work with everything. Laundry services exist almost everywhere; plan to wash clothes every 4-5 days rather than packing a fresh outfit for each day.
Should I use packing cubes?
Packing cubes compress clothing by 20-30% and keep your bag organized throughout the trip. Color-coding cubes by clothing type (tops, bottoms, underwear) eliminates rummaging through the entire bag for one item. Compression cubes with dual zippers squeeze the most air out and are worth the $5-10 premium over standard cubes.
What size luggage should I bring?
A carry-on bag (22x14x9 inches) handles trips up to 10 days if you pack strategically and plan to do laundry. Checking a bag adds 30-45 minutes per flight in wait time and carries a 1-3% chance of loss or delay. For trips under a week, a 40-liter backpack offers more mobility than a rolling suitcase on cobblestones, stairs, and public transit.
What items do travelers forget most often?
Phone chargers, adapters, prescription medications, and sunscreen are the top four forgotten items. Create a packing checklist on your phone and check items off as they go into the bag, not before. Pack a universal power adapter if traveling internationally; outlet shapes differ across regions and buying one at the airport costs 3-4x the online price.
How do I pack toiletries efficiently?
Transfer products into reusable silicone travel bottles (GoToob, 3 oz size) rather than packing full-size containers. Solid alternatives like shampoo bars and toothpaste tablets eliminate liquid restrictions entirely for carry-on travel. Hotels provide shampoo, conditioner, and soap; skip packing these unless you have specific brand requirements.