How to Survive Festival Season
Festival Survival Guide
How to Survive Festival Season
Festival season is upon us, but whether you’re a seasoned festival-goer or a complete beginner that finds them a bit overwhelming, there’s a lot to remember and organise ahead of time.
To steer you in the right direction, our team of outdoors experts have put together this festival camping guide that covers everything you need to know about before you dive into the party season. We’ve included insights on what the biggest festivals are, what to bring with you and what to wear, camping advice, and various budgeting tips to ensure you don’t destroy your wallet along the way.
In terms of popularity, Glastonbury, Somerset is still number one in the UK with almost half of all people viewing the festival positively. The festival sees over 200,000 people attend every year over an impressive 900 acres of land, making it the biggest festival overall.
According to Google Trends, these are the top 10 line-up searches in the UK this year:
Other popular festivals in the UK that enjoy very positive perception ratings above 30% include Radio 1’s Big Weekend, the BBC Proms, and Cheltenham Music Festival, according to data from YouGov.
Festival Packing List And What To Bring With You
Getting To Sleep
Camping at a festival can be an amazing experience, but getting a good night’s sleep is essential if you want to make the most of your days. Packing the right sleeping gear will help you stay comfortable, rested, and ready for all the fun.
Sleeping Essentials
Make sure you bring the following items to create a cosy and restful sleeping setup:
Extra Comfort and Safety
Optional Extras
By packing these essentials, you’ll be well-prepared for a comfortable night’s sleep, no matter how lively the festival gets around you. With the right gear, you can wake up refreshed and ready to enjoy every moment!
Toiletries
Whether you’re a seasoned festival-goer or attending your first event, preparing the right toiletries can make your experience much more comfortable-especially when it comes to dealing with less-than-ideal bathroom facilities.
Festival Bathroom Survival Kit
Festival toilets are notorious, so it’s best to come prepared. Make sure to pack:
Sun and Skin Care
Spending all day outdoors means your skin needs extra protection and care:
Hair and Shower Alternatives
Showers can be scarce at festivals, so pack:
Health and Comfort
Be ready for any minor health issues that might arise:
Optional Extras
By packing these essential toiletries, you’ll stay clean, comfortable, and ready to enjoy every moment of your festival adventure-no matter what the facilities are like!
Food & Drink
Packing food and drink for a festival takes a bit of planning, especially since you’ll likely be carrying everything yourself and walking long distances between camping and music areas. It’s best to pack light, focus on non-perishable options, and be mindful of festival rules about what you can bring in.
Food Essentials
Non-Perishable Snacks: Choose high-carb or high-protein snacks that don’t require refrigeration. Good options include:
Easy Meals: If you have access to hot water or a camping stove (and the festival allows it), consider:
Fresh Fruit: Apples, oranges, and bananas travel well and can be a refreshing, healthy option early in the festival.
Drink Essentials
Packing and Storage Tips
On-Site Options
Most festivals have plenty of food and drink vendors, so you can supplement your supplies or purchase full meals as needed. This allows you to pack lighter and try a variety of foods during your stay.
By packing a thoughtful mix of non-perishable snacks, a refillable water bottle, and just a small amount of easy-to-carry food and drink, you’ll be ready for whatever the festival brings-without being weighed down on your way to the party.
Festival Accessories To Bring With You
Packing the right accessories can make your festival experience more comfortable, convenient, and enjoyable. Whether you’re camping overnight or just attending for the day, a few smart additions to your kit can make all the difference.
Hydration Essentials
Refillable Water Bottle: Even if you’re not bringing other drinks, a refillable water bottle is a must-have. Most festivals provide plenty of water refilling stations, so you can stay hydrated throughout the day and night without buying single-use plastics.
Staying Connected
Portable Phone Charger: While some large festivals offer phone charging stations, these can have long queues and may not always be reliable. A portable power bank ensures your phone stays charged for photos, navigation, and staying in touch with friends.
Keeping Track of Friends
Comfort and Convenience
If you have extra space in your bag, consider bringing these handy extras:
Other Useful Accessories
By packing these festival accessories, you’ll be prepared for whatever comes your way-whether it’s keeping hydrated, staying connected, finding your friends, or simply making your time at the festival more comfortable and fun.
What to Wear to a Music Festival
UK weather is incredibly unpredictable, so it’s best to come prepared for all possibilities. Our advice would be to pack layered clothing like hoodies, jumpers and raincoats so that you can cover up if its cold and wet, and take layers off and wrap them round your waist if it gets too hot.
If you’re only going to be a festival for a day or two, you might want to wear your fanciest garments. However, if you’re camping for several days it’s always best to prioritise comfort as you’re limited on bag space, likely to get dirty, and you’ll want to reduce the weight of the baggage you’re carrying around for ease of movement.
Raincoat or Poncho
T-Shirts, Vests, and Shorts
Lightweight Bag or Satchel
Walking Boots or Wellies
Additional Tips
By planning your festival wardrobe with these essentials, you’ll stay comfortable, dry, and ready to enjoy every moment-rain or shine!
Prepare for Your Festival Season with Cotswold Outdoor
With nearly 50 years of experience, our mission remains to help you enjoy the outdoors. Every piece of advice and kit recommendation is rooted in personal experience – countless walks, daring climbs and stories shared around campfires. We’ve explored new trails, pursued the first light of day and braved the elements.
So no matter what type of festival you’re going to, Cotswold Outdoor will provide you with all the necessary outdoor equipment to ensure you’re warm, comfy and well-equipped for any situation.
Music Festival FAQs
Pack a tent, sleeping bag, roll mat or air bed, reusable water bottle, power bank, torch, earplugs, and comfortable layered clothing for all weather. Don’t forget wellies or waterproof boots, sun hat, sunglasses, toiletries, snacks, and your festival ticket and ID for entry.
Bring waterproofs like a rain jacket or poncho, wellies, and extra warm layers for cold nights. Sun protection-hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen-is just as important. A foil blanket or tarp can help keep your tent cool or provide extra warmth if needed.
Stay hydrated with a refillable water bottle, eat regular meals and snacks, and get enough sleep using earplugs and an eye mask. Keep valuables secure in a bum bag or crossbody bag, and use a power bank to keep your phone charged for emergencies.
Pack wet wipes, hand sanitiser, toilet roll, and a quick-drying towel. Flip flops are useful for showers. Dry shampoo, deodorant, and basic toiletries help you stay fresh. Bring spare socks and underwear to change into daily.
Choose comfortable, weather-appropriate layers-think shorts and t-shirts for the day, with hoodies or fleeces for evenings. Wellies or waterproof boots are essential for muddy fields. Add something fun or sparkly to embrace the festival spirit, and pack a fresh outfit for the journey home.
Use a small backpack, bum bag, or crossbody bag to keep valuables close. Only bring essentials, avoid bringing anything irreplaceable, and keep your tent zipped when you’re away. Mark your tent with a flag or fairy lights for easy identification.
Camping chairs, extra blankets, a mallet for tent pegs, reusable bags for dirty clothes, and a folding camp table can make your stay more comfortable. A portable fan, first aid kit, and snacks are also handy for longer festivals.
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