With Ultra and Beyond Wonderland passing this past weekend, it is safe to say that festival season is upon us. Time to get ready, I’d say. Whenever someone who is new to festivals is preparing to go, I am texted again and again “what should I bring?” Or even better, they complain the entire time they are at the festival because they do not have _____ which they didn’t think they needed but now they want.
- Sunscreen (prior to entering)
PUT THIS ON BEFORE YOU GO IN YOU ARE GOING TO BURN DO NOT TELL ME YOU WONT BURN YOU WILL. - Water pouch (Camelback or similar)
It gets hot while out on the festival grounds. Unfortunately, you are, for lack of a better term, locked into the festival grounds. In order for you not to get broke from the cost of water bottles, it would be beneficial for you to have a water pack to hold your water. On top of the cost of bottled water there, the lines to fill up your water packs are always insane. The hotter it is, the harder it is to get up to the spigots. Therefore, having a water pouch will allow you to hold more water at once.
Water Pouch with Nozzle Collapsable water bottle - Backpack for water pouch
The benefits of having the water pouch is that large amounts of water can be held at once. The benefits of having the backpack that goes with the water pouch is that you can carry this water. Usually the bag has a few pockets so you can carry other items in it, which will come better when you get farther down this list.
Back with water pouch - Portable charger with cable
It is, without a doubt, certain that your phone is going to lose its charge. Even if you turn you wi-fi, bluetooth, turn your brightness all the way down and close all your apps, your phone is still going to die. THOUSANDS of people in the same area using the same data and all that – Y’all phones are gonna die. To resolve that, bring a portable charger. Put it on it’s charger the night before so it is full, then bring it in your pocket or pack the next day. You will need it, probably, half way through the day.
Anker - Wallet
This is kind of common sense, but you are going to need your wallet to carry your money, ID, cards and probably tickets in. If you don’t have a wallet or something like that, well I don’t know how you are an able to function… - ID
This is another given. You need to get your ID checked most times you go into a festival and no matter how many wristbands you get, you are still going to get asked to show your ID again. - Cash
ATM surcharges that are in the festival always charge like 5$ or 6$ (USD) and no one is trying to pay that. So, before you get into the festival, go to your local bank and take some cash out. There is no guarantee that you will be able to use credit or debit cards while at the festival. I have met tons of people who say “oh, I wont buy anything while in there”. Listen, don’t lie to me. At some point you are going to get hungry, want to guy a souvenir, or get a drink. You are better off just bringing cash in. Better have it and not use it than need it and not have it. - Plastic (ziplock) Bag
You never know if it is going to rain or not. In the circumstance that it does rain, you are going to want something to keep your stuff drive. A ziplock back is small, they will allow it into the festival, and when it starts to rain you can add stuff like your wallet, charger, phone, and anything else that you are worried about getting wet.
Lunch bags - Sunglasses with glasses case
If you didn’t know, most festivals you are outside. During the day it gets pretty bright and if you have sensitive eyes you are going to want sunglasses. At night, however, you do not want to lose your glasses or break them. Therefore, bring a case for the glasses. If you have a case you are able to put them safely in your pocket or bag and not risk them breaking. Even with the case, I do not suggest bringing expensive pairs. Many a time I have had someone come up to me and just take hats and glasses off of me to wear and try to walk away with them.
Glasses Case - Wallet
This is kind of common sense, but you are going to need your wallet to carry your money, ID, cards and probably tickets in. If you don’t have a wallet or something like that, well I don’t know how you are an able to function… - ID
This is another given. You need to get your ID checked most times you go into a festival and no matter how many wristbands you get, you are still going to get asked to show your ID again. - Cash
ATM surcharges that are in the festival always charge like 5$ or 6$ (USD) and no one is trying to pay that. So, before you get into the festival, go to your local bank and take some cash out. There is no guarantee that you will be able to use credit or debit cards while at the festival. I have met tons of people who say “oh, I wont buy anything while in there”. Listen, don’t lie to me. At some point you are going to get hungry, want to guy a souvenir, or get a drink. You are better off just bringing cash in. Better have it and not use it than need it and not have it. - Comfortable shoes
You stand and walk around a lot. So… This is kind of a given. Whatever shoes you feel are the most comfortable. - Bandana
I say bandanas because they are awesome in keeping sweat off your face, cooling you off, and wiping dirt, water or sweat off. I always keep one in my bag so that if it is hot out I can soak it and put it around my neck. I also sometimes tie it around my forehead in order to keep sweat out of my eyes and off my glasses.
By the dozen - Small locks
Some people are concerned about other people going into their packs and taking items out and walking off with valuables. If you are one of those people. I suggest getting a small padlock to run through the zipper handles. It make sound handy, but it will put your mind at ease if you get nervous at all. You can then keep the key around your neck or on a lanyard or chain you keep track of.
Three pack - E-Cigarette
Some people like to smoke at music festivals. I say bring an E-cigarette instead of regular ones out of respect for other people. If you don’t like to smoke then it kind of ruins the vibe when someone blows a bunch of smoke into your face. an E-Cig is a little less intrusive and the people around you will thank you. Plus you wont smell like burnt tobacco.
Blu - Pack of gum
This is just something personal for me. I like to chew a pack of gum so that my mouth doesn’t dry out. (Shoutout to alcohol giving me forever cotton mouth)
Hopefully this will give you a little bit of ease when it comes to traveling around the festival grounds. You may spend a bit of money buying these items, but in the long run they will help a lot.
And remember, make sure to check back here periodically as we will add more stuff as people message us with ideas! Don’t be afraid to give your advise below or hit @ByTheWavs or @illmatic_TJ with ideas on twitter!