A Guide to Music Festival Camping
As a follow up to my last post about Music Festival Necessities, I have put together my guide to camping at music festivals!
Camping Tent
This likely goes without saying, but if you are camping at a festival you need a tent. ‘Nuff said. The size and quality of the tent is really up to your preference and how many people are joining you.
Pop-Up Tent
Festival campsite areas tend to be in open fields with little to no natural shade. Having something like a pop-up tent makes a huge difference in your camping experience.
Air Mattress or Pad
I don’t know about you all, but I can’t sleep while camping unless there is some form of a cushion beneath the sleeping bag! There are some great portable air mattresses that are battery powered (don’t forget – no outlets in the middle of a field!). Otherwise, a safe bet is a sleeping mat.
Sleeping Bag
I made the mistake once thinking I would be okay with just a light blanket while camping… it gets colder at night!! Cut to me using towels on top of the blanket to try to stay warm! Save yourself the trouble and pack a sleeping bag.
Tarp
This is more-so a reminder for camping newbies. You will need a tarp to put down under your tent to help keep your tent dry (hello morning frost!).
Tapestries
While I already recommended blankets for sitting in the festival in my last post, I’d also recommend bringing tapestries to tie up to your pop up tent. Not only is this nice and decorative, it helps to create more shade!
Lanterns
When you come stumbling back to the campsite at night, you will need some sort of light source! I recommend getting a lantern to have on the campsite. This will help you get settled, change, whatever you need when it’s dark out.
Folding Chairs
Though you will spend a lot of time inside the festival, don’t underestimate how much time you will spend at your campsite. You definitely need some type of seats for chilling in the morning/afternoon.
Cooler
Though you can buy food at the festival (and likely will for most meals), you should bring a cooler with some beverages for the campsite as well as some snacks. Hydration is the key to success! While you can pack adult beverages, DON’T FORGET WATER! I cannot emphasize this enough!
Folding Table
If you have a group camping together – you might want to bring a folding table. This is especially helpful if you plan on bringing a grill or making any meals at the campsite. Alternatively, you can use a table to play games before heading into the festival!
Reusable Dishware
Don’t be a litterbug and use reusable dishes and plates!
Portable Speaker
This is more for funsies, but you may want to bring a portable speaker to play music while you are at the campsite!
Battery Powered Fan
Portable fans are super handy to have if it is going to be hot! The smaller ones can be brought into the festival but you can also get a larger one to keep cool at the campsite.
Bug Repellant
Whether you are near woods or in a field, you are going to need bug repellant! Grab some bug spray or a battery repellant to save yourself from getting eaten alive.
Power Bank
Though this was included in the last post about Music Festival Necessities, I think it deserves a second reminder. I actually bring a small power bank with my into the festival and keep a larger one at the campsite. You have to make sure your phone lasts all weekend!
Hygiene Items
Some camping hygiene essentials include:
- Body Wipes
- Paper Towels/Napkins
- Trash Bags (don’t be a litter bug!)
- Hand Sanitizer
Though there are usually showers available somewhere at fesitval campsites, you don’t know how far you will need to walk. I bring a gallon bottle of water and a bathing suit to do a quick rinse as a back up. Body wipes, or baby wipes, are also VERY handy for a wipe down.
Did I miss anything!? Share your festival camping essentials in the comments!
15 Comments
Eric Gamble
Not going to lie, I have attended thousands of Festivals throughout my lifetime thus far because we Live in New Orleans and it’s the Festival Capital perhaps of the world. But I have never camped at one. So I may have to try this for a music festival or something at least once. Love all the gear you recommend to make it easier but fun and convenient too!
Monidipa Dutta
I have never camped in musical festival but with all these things it sounds fun ..
Knycx Journeying
Sounds like fun and it’s nothing better than enjoying the nature with music, will take notes when we plan for our next trip 🙂
Rikki Ridgeway
This is such a great list, we used most of this stuff too when we camped out at a music festival years ago!
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
it can make such a difference if you have the right things with you. It must be so much fun to camp at a music festival.