Packing List for Music Festivals: Camping, Comfort, and Survival
Everything you need to pack for a multi-day music festival covering camping gear, weather protection, comfort items, hydration essentials, and tips for surviving 3-5 days of outdoor concerts.
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Camping Essentials
Bring a tent with a rain fly rated for your expected weather
A 2-3 person tent gives one person room for gear. Set up your tent as soon as you arrive to claim a flat spot near your car. A rain fly is non-negotiable even in dry forecasts as overnight condensation and surprise showers are common. Practice setup at home before the festival.
Pack a sleeping bag and sleeping pad or air mattress
Ground temperatures drop even in summer, making a sleeping pad or air mattress essential for comfort and insulation. A sleeping bag rated to 5 degrees Celsius handles most festival conditions. An inflatable pillow weighs nothing and improves sleep dramatically after 12-hour standing days.
Bring a pop-up canopy or tarp for shade and rain shelter
A 3x3 meter pop-up canopy creates a communal hangout area and protects gear from sun and rain. Stake it down thoroughly as festival winds destroy unsecured canopies. A tarp with paracord works as a lightweight alternative for shade over your tent entrance.
Pack a headlamp and a lantern for nighttime navigation
Festival campgrounds have no lighting. A headlamp with red-light mode helps you find your tent without blinding neighbors. A small LED lantern lights the inside of your tent. Bring extra batteries or a rechargeable model. You will use these every single night.
Bring a camp chair or inflatable seat
After 8-12 hours on your feet, a camp chair at your site is essential for recovery. Lightweight folding chairs weigh 1-2 kg and collapse small. An inflatable couch or lounger works for relaxing between sets. Check festival rules as some restrict chair types in concert areas.
Clothing and Footwear
Pack broken-in waterproof boots or sturdy shoes
Festival grounds turn to mud within 30 minutes of rain. Rubber rain boots are the safest option for muddy festivals. Broken-in hiking boots with waterproofing handle both mud and long walking days. Bring a second pair of shoes so one can dry while you wear the other.
Bring layers for temperature swings between day and night
Festival days can swing 15-20 degrees from midday heat to late-night cold. A tank top, t-shirt, flannel or hoodie, and a rain jacket cover all scenarios. Tie layers around your waist or carry a small bag rather than returning to camp between acts.
Pack a rain jacket and waterproof pants
Rain transforms festivals. A waterproof jacket with sealed seams keeps you dry during sets when you refuse to leave for weather. Waterproof pants or a poncho protect lower body in sustained rain. Pack these in a belt bag or small daypack every day regardless of the forecast.
Bring more socks than you think you need
Wet and dirty socks cause blisters faster than anything else. Pack 2 pairs per day of festival. Merino wool socks dry faster and resist odor better than cotton. Change into fresh socks at midday if yours get damp. Zip-lock bags keep clean socks separate from dirty ones.
Hydration and Nutrition
Pack a hydration pack or large water bottle
Dehydration causes more festival medical tent visits than anything else. A hydration bladder holds 2-3 liters and fits on your back for hands-free drinking during sets. Water refill stations are free at most festivals. Drink at least 3-4 liters per day, more if drinking alcohol.
Bring electrolyte packets for daily replenishment
Sweating in heat for 10+ hours depletes electrolytes that plain water does not replace. Electrolyte powder packets mixed into your water prevent cramping, headaches, and fatigue. Pack 2 per day of festival. They are lightweight and make a significant difference in how you feel by day 3.
Pack high-energy snacks for between meals
Festival food lines can take 30-60 minutes during headliner changeovers. Trail mix, energy bars, jerky, and dried fruit provide calories without refrigeration. Pack enough snacks for 3-4 servings per day between festival food purchases. A cooler at camp with ice handles perishable items.
Bring a cooler with ice for camp food and drinks
A hard cooler keeps ice for 2-3 days, a soft cooler for 1 day. Pre-freeze water bottles to double as ice packs. Most festivals sell ice bags for 5-10 USD. Stock the cooler with breakfast items, drinks, and snacks to reduce food costs and avoid long vendor lines.
Health and Hygiene
Pack baby wipes, hand sanitizer, and dry shampoo
Festival showers have long lines and limited hours. Baby wipes serve as full-body quick washes between showers. Hand sanitizer is essential after portable toilet use. Dry shampoo extends hair by 2-3 days without water. These three items are the most important hygiene products for festivals.
Bring sunscreen SPF 50+ and apply before entering the grounds
Standing in open fields for hours exposes you to sustained UV radiation. Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every 2 hours. Spray sunscreen is convenient for quick reapplication. Sunburn on day 1 makes the remaining 3 days miserable.
Pack earplugs rated for music concerts
Festival sound systems exceed 100 decibels, causing permanent hearing damage over multi-day exposure. High-fidelity earplugs reduce volume by 15-25 decibels while preserving sound clarity. They cost 15-30 USD and protect your hearing without dulling the music. Standard foam plugs muffle sound too much.
Bring a basic first aid kit with blister treatment
Pack adhesive bandages, moleskin, pain relievers, anti-diarrheal medication, and allergy medication. Blisters, headaches, and stomach issues are the most common festival ailments. The medical tent handles emergencies but lines for minor issues are long. Self-treating saves time and gets you back to the music.
Electronics and Extras
Pack a high-capacity portable charger
Your phone handles tickets, maps, set schedules, and finding friends. A 20,000 mAh power bank lasts 2-3 days of moderate use. Charging stations at festivals have long waits and theft risk. Charge your power bank in your car overnight if festival camping lacks power.
Bring a belt bag or small crossbody for the concert area
A belt bag holds your phone, ID, cash, ear plugs, and lip balm during sets without the bulk of a backpack. Many festivals restrict backpack sizes in the concert area but allow small bags. Keep it zipped and in front of you in dense crowds.
Pack a portable Bluetooth speaker for camp
A small waterproof Bluetooth speaker keeps the vibe going at your campsite between sets. Keep volume reasonable for neighboring campers. Battery life of 10+ hours lasts a full day. Many festival friendships start over shared music at camp.
Bring a bandana or buff for dust protection
Festival grounds kick up dust that irritates lungs and eyes. A wet bandana over your nose and mouth filters the worst particles. A buff or neck gaiter pulls up quickly when dust clouds roll through. Dust is worst during dry, hot festivals in desert or grassland settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important thing to pack for a music festival?
Water and hydration supplies. Dehydration is the number one cause of medical tent visits at music festivals. A hydration pack holding 2-3 liters, electrolyte packets, and the discipline to drink constantly make the difference between enjoying day 4 and collapsing on day 2. Everything else is secondary to staying hydrated.
How do I keep my stuff safe at a festival?
Keep valuables in a locked car or a small safe at camp. Carry only what you need into the concert area in a front-worn belt bag. Leave expensive cameras and jewelry at home. Use combination locks on tent zippers as a deterrent. Most festival theft happens at campsites during performances when areas are empty.
What should I not bring to a music festival?
Leave glass containers, weapons, outside alcohol (if prohibited), large flags that block views, and expensive items you cannot afford to lose. Skip white or delicate clothing that will be destroyed by mud and dust. Avoid open-toe sandals in concert areas where feet get stepped on. Check your specific festival's prohibited items list before packing.
How many days of clothes do I need for a festival?
Pack one complete outfit per day plus 2 extra sets for unexpected mud, rain, or spills. Double your estimated sock count. Bring layers that mix and match for temperature changes throughout the day. Laundry is not available at most camping festivals, so pack enough to last without washing. Zip-lock bags separate dirty clothes from clean ones.