What I Actually Pack for a Three-Day Music Festival
I’ve seen a lot of festival packing lists online and most of them are written by people who’ve clearly never slept in a tent that’s been baking in 35-degree heat since 6am. Matching outfits and fairy lights are great for Instagram, but they won’t help you when it’s day two and you’re sunburnt, sleep-deprived, and questioning every decision that led you here.
This is what I actually bring. It’s not glamorous, but it works.
The Non-Negotiables
A proper tent that you’ve tested beforehand. I cannot stress this enough. The number of people I’ve watched try to assemble a brand-new tent in the dark after twelve hours of music and questionable food choices is genuinely staggering. Set it up in your backyard first. Make sure you know how the poles work. Bring extra pegs.
A sleeping mat. Not an air mattress — those things deflate at 3am every single time. A solid foam or self-inflating mat from somewhere like Snowys will change your life. Your back will thank you on day three.
Earplugs. Good ones. Not the cheap foam things from the chemist. Invest in a pair of proper musician’s earplugs that reduce volume without killing the sound quality. Your ears will ring for days without them and trust me, hearing loss isn’t the souvenir you want.
Clothing That Actually Makes Sense
Layers. Always layers. Festival weather is unpredictable and temperatures can swing wildly between midday and midnight. I usually pack a couple of t-shirts, one light long-sleeve, a hoodie, and a decent rain jacket. The rain jacket lives in my bag at all times — even if the forecast is clear, weather at outdoor events is a law unto itself.
Shoes: bring two pairs. One pair of solid boots or trainers for the day, and a pair of thongs for around camp. Your good shoes will get wrecked, accept that now.
The Stuff Nobody Tells You About
Baby wipes. Bring more than you think you need. When the shower queue is an hour long and you’ve got twenty minutes before an act you want to see, baby wipes become your best friend.
A portable phone charger. Actually, bring two. Your phone will die faster than you expect, especially if you’re using it for photos and the schedule app. A decent 20,000mAh power bank will get you through the whole weekend.
Zip-lock bags for your phone and wallet. If it rains — and it probably will at some point — you’ll be glad you had them. Nothing kills a festival vibe faster than a waterlogged phone.
Sunscreen. The industrial-strength stuff. Reapply it constantly. Festival sunburn is a special kind of suffering because you can’t escape the sun and you’re too dehydrated to think straight.
Food and Drink Strategy
Bring snacks. Lots of them. Festival food is expensive and the queues can be brutal during peak times. Muesli bars, trail mix, fruit — anything that won’t melt or go off. I always bring a decent water bottle too. Staying hydrated is the single most important thing you can do at a festival.
For a reusable water bottle that actually stays cold, Kathmandu stocks some solid insulated options that won’t break the bank.
What to Leave at Home
Valuables. Anything you’d be gutted to lose, leave it behind. Festivals are chaotic and things go missing. Bring a cheap phone if you have one, leave the good jewellery at home, and don’t bring more cash than you’re willing to part with.
Camp chairs are nice in theory but they take up space, get stolen, and you’ll end up sitting on the ground anyway. Save the space in your car for more important things. Like snacks.