The Golden Rule of Festival Packing

Pack light enough to carry everything yourself, but do not skip the items that keep you safe and comfortable. Every experienced festival-goer has a story about the one thing they forgot that ruined their weekend. This checklist exists so you do not become that story.

We have organized everything into tiers: essentials (you need these no matter what), comfort (makes the difference between a good time and a great time), weather prep, tech, and camping (if applicable). Print this list, check things off, and throw it in your bag.

Essentials (Non-Negotiable)

  • Festival ticket / wristband -- Sounds obvious. People forget.
  • Government-issued ID -- Required for entry, 21+ wristbands, and will-call pickup.
  • Phone + portable charger -- At least 10,000 mAh for day festivals, 20,000+ mAh for camping. Your phone is your ticket, your map, your camera, and your way to find your friends.
  • Charging cable -- Bring two. You will lose one.
  • Cash + credit/debit card -- Most festivals are cashless now, but bring $50-100 cash as backup for emergencies, splitting rideshares, or the rare cash-only vendor.
  • Comfortable broken-in shoes -- You will walk 8-15 miles per day. This is not the time to debut new shoes. Sneakers with good arch support are the standard. Avoid sandals (your feet will get stepped on).
  • Sunscreen SPF 50+ -- Apply before you enter (security lines take time in the sun). Reapply every 2 hours. Spray sunscreen is easiest at a festival.
  • Water bottle (empty at entry) -- Virtually every festival has free water refill stations. Staying hydrated is the number one thing that determines whether you have a good time. A collapsible bottle saves space.
  • Earplugs -- This is not optional. Festival sound levels cause permanent hearing damage. High-fidelity earplugs ($20-40 from brands like Eargasm, Loop, or Etymotic) reduce volume evenly so the music still sounds great, just safer. Your future self will thank you.

Comfort Items

  • Small crossbody bag or fanny pack -- Keeps your essentials accessible without a bulky backpack. Most festivals restrict bag size (typically 14"x11"x5" max for backpacks). A crossbody or fanny pack clears security faster.
  • Bandana or face covering -- Dust at desert and field festivals gets intense. Also doubles as a sweat rag and sun shield for your neck.
  • Sunglasses -- Polarized lenses if you have them. Bring a cheap backup pair.
  • Hat -- Bucket hats, baseball caps, wide-brim hats -- whatever your style, shade on your face matters.
  • Lip balm with SPF -- Sunburned lips are surprisingly painful and easy to prevent.
  • Hand sanitizer -- Festival bathrooms are an experience. Be prepared.
  • Tissues / toilet paper packet -- Porta-potties run out. Carry a small pack in your bag at all times.
  • Ibuprofen / pain reliever -- Headaches, sore feet, general festival wear. A small pill case weighs nothing.
  • Gum or mints -- For you and to share. Easy way to make friends in a crowd.

Weather Prep

  • Light rain jacket or poncho -- Packable rain shells (Uniqlo, Patagonia) fold up small and save you when storms hit. Umbrellas are banned at most festivals.
  • Layers for night -- Even summer festivals get cold after dark, especially in mountains or desert. A light hoodie or flannel you can tie around your waist works perfectly.
  • Rain boots or waterproof shoes -- If there is any rain forecast, bring them. Mud at festivals is no joke.
  • Cooling towel -- Soak it, wring it, drape it on your neck. Game changer in extreme heat.

Tech and Connectivity

  • Portable charger (already mentioned, mentioning again) -- This is that important. Dead phone = lost friends, no map, no schedule, no Uber home.
  • Download the festival app -- Most festivals have an official app with map, schedule, set time changes, and emergency info. Download it before you arrive -- cell service at festivals is terrible.
  • Screenshot your schedule -- Cell service is unreliable in a crowd of 50,000+ people. Screenshot your schedule, the map, and your meeting point with friends.
  • Designate a meeting spot -- Pick a specific, easy-to-find landmark (the big art piece, a specific food vendor) as your group's meeting point when phones die or service fails.
  • GoPro or action camera -- If you want to film, these are small enough to be allowed at most festivals. Leave your DSLR at home -- detachable-lens cameras are banned at nearly every major festival.

Food and Drink

  • Snack bars / granola bars -- For between meals or when you do not want to leave your spot in the crowd for food.
  • Electrolyte packets -- Liquid IV, LMNT, Nuun tablets. Mix with water to replace what sweat takes. Especially critical in heat.
  • Meal plan your budget -- Festival food runs $12-22 per meal. Budget $40-60/day for food and drinks, or more if you plan to drink alcohol ($12-18 per drink is standard).

Camping Festival Additions

If your festival involves camping (Bonnaroo, Electric Forest, Stagecoach, etc.), add these to the list above:

  • Tent -- Go one size bigger than you think you need. A "2-person" tent fits one person plus gear.
  • EZ-Up canopy (10x10) -- Shade over your campsite is essential, not optional.
  • Sleeping pad or air mattress + pillow
  • Sleeping bag or blankets -- Check nighttime temperatures for the festival location.
  • Battery-powered fan -- Hot tent = no sleep.
  • Cooler with ice -- Pre-freeze water bottles to use as ice packs that become drinking water.
  • Camp chairs -- Cheap folding chairs are fine. You need somewhere to sit.
  • Headlamp -- Red mode preserves night vision and does not blind your neighbors.
  • Body wipes -- Shower lines are long. Wipes keep you socially acceptable between showers.
  • Trash bags -- For garbage and to waterproof your gear during rain.
  • Wagon or cart -- For hauling gear from your car to your site. The walk can be long.

What NOT to Bring

Most major festivals ban the following. Check your specific festival's rules, but this list covers the common items:

  • Umbrellas -- Banned at almost every festival (they block views and poke people). Bring a rain jacket instead.
  • Professional cameras -- Any camera with a detachable lens is typically banned.
  • Drones -- Banned everywhere. Do not try it.
  • Glass containers -- Broken glass + bare feet = medical tent.
  • Chairs or blankets (inside the festival grounds, not campsite) -- Banned at most festivals to keep crowd flow moving.
  • Selfie sticks -- Banned at most festivals.
  • Pets -- No. Service animals may be an exception with documentation.
  • Large backpacks -- Check your festival's size limit. Most cap at 14x11x5 inches.
  • Outside food and drinks (inside festival grounds) -- Most festivals ban outside food/drink in the music area, though camping areas are usually fine.

Pro Tips From Experienced Festival-Goers

  • Wear your outfit before the festival. Make sure it is comfortable for 12 hours of walking and standing. Fashion means nothing if you are miserable.
  • Break in your shoes a week before. Walk 5+ miles in them. Blisters on Day 1 ruin the rest of the weekend.
  • Pack a small first aid kit. Band-aids for blisters, ibuprofen, antihistamines, Pepto-Bismol, and any personal medications.
  • Bring a Ziploc bag for your phone. Keeps it safe from rain, sweat, and accidental spills. You can still use the touchscreen through the plastic.
  • Pace yourself. The festival is a marathon, not a sprint. Eat real meals, drink water between every other drink, and do not be afraid to sit out a set to recharge.

Start Planning

Got your packing list sorted? Now figure out who to see. Connect your Spotify to CrowdShuffle to get personalized artist recommendations for any upcoming festival and build your schedule before you go.