Festival Survival Guide
You bought your ticket months ago, and you’ve been looking forward to it ever since. There are even rumours the sun might make an appearance!
The start of summer means the start of music festival season. So whether you’re getting geared up for Glasto, ready for Reading, or teed up for TRNSMT, here are our top tips to ensure you get the most out of your festival weekend.
Supplies
If you’re buying a tent specifically for a festival we’d recommend getting one that’s light and easy to pitch. Festival campsites can often be a long walk from the car park, so something that’s light to carry will make life easier. The same goes for your sleeping bag and carry mat, light and durable are best. And make sure your sleeping bag is warm, as despite the day time temperature it can get chilly at night! Also, a trolley can be a huge help for transporting your stuff from car to site, particularly heavier items like food and drink.
And if you can manage a camping chair, then take one along – it’s always good to have somewhere to sit, especially if it gets a bit muddy on the campsite.
As well as your essentials mentioned above, make sure you take:
- toilet roll
- a portable phone charger
- a torch
- a towel
- (plastic free) baby wipes & anti-bac hand gel
- refillable water bottle
Most of these are self-explanatory, but the baby wipes can be a hygiene godsend if there are no shower facilities available. And make sure you take any medicines you might need with you too.
Drinking (and eating)
Festivals are a great place to let your hair down and enjoy yourself. But one thing we’ve learned (through experience) is the importance of staying hydrated and drinking lots of water, especially if it’s a warm weekend. Of course we’re not saying you shouldn’t drink alcohol, but just make sure you pace yourself. You don’t want to peak too early and end up in your bed before the headline act has even started.
Try breaking up the alcoholic drinks with a bottle of water or two. You’re more likely to last the distance this way. And make sure you eat plenty while you’re there too. Think about what you’d eat at home and try to eat just as much while you’re at a festival. Gone are the days of only terrible burgers and awful fast food at festivals (mostly). The majority of sites now serve-up some tasty treats, so check them out and make sure you ‘line your stomach’ with something to soak up the alcohol.
What to wear
Our top tip is to take clothes you don’t mind getting ruined. Of course we all want to look good, but comfort and practicality win out when it comes to festivals, as the unpredictable weather can often leave you wet and muddy! With that in mind, make sure you dress for the weather – waterproofs or sun cream if required. And given you’re likely to be on your feet all day, comfortable footwear is a must!
While you’re there
We wouldn’t recommend planning every minute of your weekend and every single act you want to see, as things can crop up and plans can change. But having a loose idea of what you want to do can help everyone in your group know what you’re doing and what stage to go to. Agree on a meeting point if you get split up so you know where to head if you get separated.
But most of all, have fun and enjoy yourself – festivals can be some of the best weekends of the year, so make the most of it!
