Festival season is among us! It doesn’t matter if this is your first time attending a music festival or if you’ve been to dozens in the past, knowing what to bring to a festival will ensure you have a fun and safe time.
Keep reading to find our complete packing list of the essentials you’ll need this festival season.
A Festival Blanket
Festivals are day-long, sometimes multi-day events. If you and your crew want to stay comfortable the entire time, you need a festival blanket on your packing list.
The best festival blanket is multi-functional. This option provides a comfortable place to sit during the day and also keeps you clean and dry when the ground is damp.
This BEARZ Outdoor compact beach blanket is great because it’s simple to store in its convenient carry bag. It won’t take up any space at all in your backpack. The waterproof and puncture-resistant construction means the blanket can take a beating and won’t wear down.
Sun Protection
Summer temperatures and festival season can often be a recipe for disaster.
Over 33% of Americans report getting a sunburn each year. UV overexposure causes sunburns and it’s also a leading cause of skin cancer. So to protect yourself, be sure you’re using your sun smarts to stay safe in the heat.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is an absolute must. Find one that’s water-resistant with broad-spectrum coverage with an SPF rating of at least 30. You don’t have to shell out extra money for a sunscreen with 50+ SPF as the additional coverage is minuscule.
Sun Smarts
Learn to recognize the signs of heatstroke. If you know what to be on the lookout for, you’ll be better equipped to help yourself and your friends if it happens.
Clothing
Re-consider your wardrobe and pack clothing that will protect you.
A sun hat can be both fashionable and protective. Dark and bright colors absorb UV rays instead of allowing them to penetrate your skin.
Clothing made with densely woven cloth offers more protection than lighter fabrics. If you can see through your clothes when you hold them up to a light, UV can penetrate the item easily.
Tent
If your festival is a multi-day event, you’re going to need somewhere to sleep. A tent will not only provide you with a sleeping spot but somewhere to hide from the sun, too. Not all tents are created equally, however, so don’t skimp on doing your research.
The size of your tent will depend upon how many people you’re traveling with. Some of the bigger models even provide room dividers for additional privacy.
Tents don’t just stay put on their own. One gust of wind can take a tent soaring into the sky. You will need tent stakes to keep it in its place.
The BEARZ Outdoor Stakes are great because they’re multi-functional. You can use them to keep your festival blanket in place, too.
Camping Towel
If your festival is a multi-day event, treat packing for it just like you would if you were going camping. You already know you’ll need a tent, but how about a camping towel, too?
The BEARZ Outdoor Microfiber Towel is a quick-drying multi-use travel towel. Microfiber is one of the best materials for a towel as it’s super absorbent and soft. It’s made with a lightweight material that makes it both easy to pack and light to carry.
The BEARZ Outdoor towels come in a set of two so you can bring one for a friend, too. Use them to dry off after it rains or if you get super sweaty during your favorite band’s performance.
Food and Drink
Whether you’re attending a single or multi-day festival, you’re going to need sustenance. The right amount of food and drink are non-negotiable festival gear.
Attending a festival on an empty stomach is a bad idea. This is especially true if you’ll be drinking alcohol during the festival or after-party. Drinking on an empty stomach is a recipe for disaster.
If the festival spans several days, a camping cooler will keep your food at the right temperature. Don’t forget to pick up ice to ensure your food won’t spoil.
If you’re attending a one-day event, you can get away with backpack snacks. Pack food that won’t melt in the heat like chips, granola bars, and premade sandwiches.
You’re absolutely going to need to pack beverages to keep you cool and hydrated. Freeze water bottles before the event and pop them into your backpack the day of. They’ll stay cold for longer and provide your body with the hydration it needs during hot days.
Portable Chargers
Festivals are a great time to unplug from your smartphone and enjoy the day with your friends. That said, it’s always a good idea to make sure you bring your phone with you in case of an emergency. If you’ll be away from civilization (AKA an outlet) for some time, portable chargers will make sure your cell has enough juice to last the festival.
We recommend fully charging two or three portable chargers before the event. That way you’ll be able to stay connected to your friends if you happen to split up in the crowd.
Enjoy Festival Season in Style
Whether this is your first or fifth festival season, you’ll be enjoying killer music in the heat with your friends soon.
Keep reading our blogs for more tips on surviving summer, whether you’ll be attending festivals or camping all season. Our blogs are full of useful tips to help you squeeze every last drop out of summer.
