Music festivals are meant to be super fun events where you can hang out with friends — old and new — and dance and sing (okay, scream) along with your favorite musical artists. They can also be really stressful and overwhelming, especially if you’re not properly prepared ahead of time.
But don’t worry, we’ve got you.
Whether you’re traveling hours to set up camp for a multi-day event or just hitting up a local concert for the weekend, the tips in our concert guide below will help you prepare for festival season and ensure that your next music festival is as fun and stress-free as it should be. (And, if you’re on a budget, be sure to check out all the ways you can save money this festival season, too.)
But before we jump in, make sure you have your tickets! You can head over to Ticketmaster, or if you waited too long, you can always try your luck on the secondary market. Just beware, ticket prices for in-demand festivals will most likely be inflated way above face value the closer you get to the event.
- StubHub: Score deals on select tickets when you shop StubHub via RetailMeNot.
- SeatGeek: Score $5 off select eligible purchases with the latest coupon codes, like $10 off $250+ on eligible purchases for new customers.
- Vivid Seats: Get $20 off your first $200+ concert ticket purchase when you shop Vivid Seats via RetailMeNot.
Okay, got your tickets? Let’s go!
Set up Camp
If you opt to camp on the festival grounds for a multi-day event, be sure to arrive as early as you can to get a primo spot (not too far from the toilets and not too close to the noise of the concerts), and plan to leave late to avoid the rush of the mass exodus on the last day. There are also some key items that will make the experience that much more enjoyable, including a sizable tent to house you and all of your friends comfortably, sleeping bags made for use in warmer weather, camping pads and pillows. These are the two absolute must-haves, though:
YETI Tundra Haul Hard Cooler
Why We Love It: A quality cooler will keep food and drinks fresh for days on end, and you don’t get better quality than the legends at YETI. It’s pricey, but definitely worth it as it can stash the equivalent of 45 beer cans (though we suggest providing yourself with more sustenance and nutrition than that) and its wheels make it easy to roll around the grounds. Keep in mind, you’ll also want to pack utensils and other portable kitchen gear to cook whatever you haul with you too.
The Cost: $426 at YETI.com
Deal Alert: There seems to always be a free shipping deal running at YETI; check here for the latest coupon code.
Stansport Reinforced Multi-Purpose Tarp
Why We Love It: A durable tarp can be used a ton of different ways: to protect your tent from the muddy ground, as an extension of your tent, as a privacy screen for “costume changes” — the possibilities are endless. This one in particular, is made with rip-stop material and double-reinforced corners, so you know it will hold up to any abuse you give it.
The Cost: $0617. at Amazon.com
Stay Hydrated
Long, hot, sweaty days in the sun mean it’s vital to boost your water intake, so be sure to bring lots of extra water — we’re talking gallon jugs — if you’re camping. Or, if it’s a one-day fest, keep a water bottle with you at all times, if the venue allows it. A hydration multiplier can really help you get through a multi-day fest (especially if you plan on drinking alcohol), and these smart tips to stay hydrated will help you out for your next festival too.
CamelBak Eddy® + filtered by LifeStraw® Bottle
Why We Love It: Any reusable water bottle will do, but we love that this one has a built-in water filter so you can fill up from any tap or refill station without worry. It holds 20 ounces of water that gets filtered with the power of LifeStraw to remove bacteria, microplastics, chlorine and all the other gross stuff you don’t want in your water, leaving only clean, fresh-tasting water for you to hydrate with.
The Cost: $45 at CamelBak.com
Deal Alert: They offering 15% off your first order with an email signup.
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier
Why We Love It: Whether you’ve sweat out any semblance of hydration from your body or your alcohol consumption forced you to pee it all out, you’re going to want to rehydrate — and fast. This hydration multiplier contains electrolytes to replenish you, and it fosters rapid absorption of water and nutrients so you can get back to enjoying the music. Just mix a packet of deliciously flavored powder in at least 16 ounces of water and drink up!
The Cost: From $24.99 at Liquid-IV.com
Throw Yourself Some Shade
Music festivals tend to be entirely outdoors with little to no relief from the blazing sun above. So, to avoid having to deal with a bad sunburn at best (or nasty sun poisoning, at worst), make sure you keep yourself covered — fashionably, of course. A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and UPF clothing are all great options. Beyond that, you’ll still want to slather on a generous helping of sunscreen (and insect repellent!) too.
Women’s Tempe Sun Hat UPF 50+
Why We Love It: This stylish hat will keep your face, neck and shoulders (mostly) out of the sun. It’s also made with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 50+ built in, so you can avoid sunburn on your scalp and forehead, too. Because, yes, the sun’s rays can get through fabric that doesn’t have UPF!
The Cost: $65 at Coolibar.com
Deal Alert: They are offering 15% off your first order when you sign up for their emails.
Pick-nic Your Spot
Any concert guide would be remiss to not point out that all the best music acts are going to have a ton of people hoping to score a prime viewing spot. So, if there’s an act you really want to see, you may need to camp out near the stage hours in advance of their performance time. Fortunately, you can make this a lot more comfortable for you and your friends with some camp chairs, an outdoor blanket and a small, soft-sided cooler to stash some snacks and refreshments, like a mini picnic before the show.
ALPS Mountaineering Spirit Chair
Why We Love It: Sit back, relax and wait for the show in this low-profile folding camp chair made of tough steel, durable polyester and a breezy mesh back. It’s relatively lightweight so it will be easy transport to and fro.
The Cost: $27.47 at Backcountry.com
Deal Alert: Backcountry is offering 20% off one full-priced item right now.
Listen Up
Let the sensory overload of your favorite artists’ performances blow your mind, not your eardrums. Prepare for festival loudness by investing in a pair of earplugs that’ll bring down the decibels without compromising the intricacies of the music — and you’ll be thanking us once the bass drops.
Fender Musician Series Black Ear Plugs
Why We Love It: This is a good, budget-friendly pair of earplugs that will bring the noise level down an impressive 27 decibels without muffling the sound of the music around you. They’re also cheap enough that you won’t be kicking yourself too much if you drop them and lose ’em to the crowd.
The Cost: $9.99 at Adorama.com
Stand out From the Crowd
Like we said, It can be easy to lose sight of your pals in the massive crowds at music festivals, so each of you should carry something easily identifiable to help you spot each other from afar. Think obscure flags, or even an inflatable mascot on a pole; whatever it is, just make sure it’s relatively unique to your group and that everyone knows what they should be looking for in case they get lost. Also keep in mind that it’s not uncommon for cellular networks to get overloaded, so prepare for festival outages by picking a meeting spot that everyone knows just in case your group gets separated.
Jungle Safari Animals Inflatables on a Stick
Why We Love It: Ridiculous as they may seem, this pack of six inflatable animals will be perfect for keeping your whole crew together. They’re colorful and easy to spot in a crowd, and they don’t require a pole or stick that can get unwieldy and dangerous.
The Cost: $11.99 at Amazon.com
Keep It Clean
Whether your music festival is one day or one week, there are some key items you’ll want to pack with you. First, if your music festival of choice is known for kicking up dust storms, be sure you’ve got the goods to keep your eyes and lungs protected. (A fun bandana or neck gaiter and a pair of sunglasses or goggles should do the trick.) You’ll also want to stash some durable body wipes in your bag to get cleaned up, especially if colored powder will be thrown around.
Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes, 36-Pack
Why We Love It: This resealable pack of extra-thick, pH-balanced wipes is perfect for cleaning up after a long, dusty day at a music festival. They clean, soothe and moisturize with aloe vera and vitamin E, and they’re biodegradable so they’re not too terrible for the environment. (You should still dispose of them properly, of course.)
The Cost: $9.95 at Backcountry.com
Deal Alert: Score cash back when you shop Backcountry through RetailMeNot.
Pack It in, Pack It Out
Don’t be the people that leave a mound of trash behind at their festival campsite, or let their garbage blow around in the breeze. Make sure you bring plenty of garbage bags to keep things neat and tidy, and everyone will be much happier in the long run.
Neat Tall Kitchen 30-Gallon Drawstring Trash Bags
Why We Love It: These no-nonsense trash bags can clean up 30 gallons of garbage in one go. They’re triple fortified and neutralize odor so everything stays inside, both in the physical and olfactory sense, and they’re also eco-friendly thanks to their 50% recycled material construction.
The Cost: $12.84 $11.10 at Amazon.com
Most of All, Just Have Fun!
Planning for a music festival can be a little stressful, but if you do it right (ahem follow this concert guide!), you can relax and be in the moment when the time comes to enjoy the whole experience. Also, don’t bring anything with you that’s too expensive or clothing that’s too uncomfortable. Things will probably get lost or ruined in the commotion of the festivities — it’s inevitable. But if you just try to be flexible, go with the flow, have respect for your fellow festival-goers and keep a friendly, positive attitude, you’re sure to come out the other side with some really fun memories.
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