Festival Prep | 6 Must Bring Items

Festival season is in full swing and it’s easy to get carried away in the excitement of the festivities and forget a couple of key items. They may not be sexy, but these are 6 MUST HAVE items that can make or break an amazing trip with friends.

Sunscreen |

One thing that 95% of spring and summertime festivals have in common is that they take place outside. If you’re lucky enough to get a beautiful sunny festival day, you’ll want to make sure you’re protected from the sun. A hat and lip balm are nice to have, but the most important piece is sunscreen. Nothing is worse than being sunburnt in a crowded space where you could be bumping into other people.

Baby Wipes |

If you are a hardcore “festival goer” you understand the importance of keeping clean. Many large festivals take place in the middle of nowhere and require campground living, sometimes for days at a time. Without access to typical bathrooms, showers, and other amenities you’ll have to get creative if you want to keep comfortable. Look to baby wipes as a very portable option to keep yourself feeling fresh and clean at the filthiest of festivals.

Cheap Sunglasses |

Hopefully, sun is in the forecast for your festival day or weekend. If so, you won’t want to forget your sunglasses. Sensitivity to sunlight varies depending on the individual but extreme or prolonged periods of sunlight exposer can bring on severe headaches and migraines and can ultimately ruin your experience. You’ll want to leave your expensive sunglasses at home and invest in a cheap pair from Target as there’s a high probability they’ll get destroyed in all the craziness.

Water Bottle (with water in it) |

It is extremely important to stay hydrated, the best way to do that is to drink water regularly. Hydration begins at home so drink lots of water in the days leading up to the festival as well. Be sure to bring a large water bottle or canteen you can carry with you.

Between 30 and 38 oz. is a good range. If it comes with a strap, even better. You may want to invest in a hydration pack. This water bottle backpack crossover is tailor-made for events like these and makes lugging fluids around all day much more feasible. Link to hydration backpack

Earplugs |

The whole point of going to festivals is to listen to music and socialize with friends and strangers. Earplugs get in the way of both of those activities but hear me out. After a long day of loud music and constant noise, it can be a major relief get some relative peace and quiet, especially when trying to sleep. Don’t be fooled into thinking the campgrounds will ever be anything close to silent, even in the early morning. Earplugs are an excellent and cheap option to give your eardrums a break in the action. Even consider using them mid-performance.

Portable Phone Charger |

Oh no, your phone is out of battery! How will you communicate to the world how much fun you’re having? Get in front of the issue by bringing a portable phone charger. You’ll want to be sure you can always capture the moment with your friends and, more importantly, that you can get in touch with them if you get split up.