Festival Essentials & Checklist: What to take to a festival

Let’s start with the basics. And we mean basics.

The worst thing you could forget when finding yourself being turned away at the gate because you forgot your ticket or ID! While most music festivals are in the process of digitising their ticketing system so you’ll be able to access your tickets and ID remotely from your phone, it doesn’t mean you don’t have to prep for this one.

Make sure to download your tickets and ID ahead of time. And don’t count on your mobile data - festivals are packed with thousands of people and large gatherings are known to jam the connection. Just be prepared.

This is high-up on the list for a reason. It could save you an absolutely fortune in paying for charge at the festival (often £15-20 per charge).

A 20,000mAh portable charger will give you around 5 charges on a mobile phone. But it's better to have a bit more.

To be optimal, it's wise to have a big one for your camp to charge at night, and a smaller one to take with you into the festival. 

A practical, reasonably-sized camping bag to store the above features is one of our must-bring festival essentials.

And there are plenty of options out there! From a good old festival day bag to a compact fanny pack, you’ll need to take into consideration what kind of festival you’re going to i.e. a field festival in the rain will probably require a waterproof backpack while a city festival can give you a bit more wriggle room in size, functionality and style.

Remember, at a festival, you’ll most likely be attached to your backpack so make it comfortable, and proportionate to the amount you’re planning to take. If you’ll be carrying some sizable weight, why not consider a compact rolly?

We’re also fans of side loading, compartments and dividers for convenience; these can be huge lifesavers. We suggest a 75l backpack as a safe bet to store most of your festival essentials.

Tents provide you with limited comfort you’ll enjoy at the festival when it’s time for some downtime. You’ll want to go for something flexible, affordable and sociable depending on your budget and length of stay.

There are plenty of things to consider ahead of time before choosing your tent. How many people will be sleeping in your tent? Do you need room to socialize? Will you only be using it for sleep? How much time are you willing to commit to pitching the tent? Consider spacing, do you want a porch area?

If you're on your own, get a 2-man. If you're in a pair, get a 4-man tent.

While we're talking about tents, we can't not mention No Tent Left Behind.

When the fun is done and you're heading home - do the right thing. Don't leave your tent behind. Bring it back to us, and we'll refund you the cost. We're cool like that.

A good sleeping bag is a festival must-have. Choose one with the right season rating for UK weather—whether you're bracing for a chilly spring night or a warm summer evening.

Mummy-shaped sleeping bags offer great insulation, while rectangular bags give you more room to move. Look for lightweight, compressible options to save space in your backpack.

An airbed can transform your festival experience, giving you that ‘home away from home’ feeling. 

Choose a lightweight, inflatable mattress that fits your tent space and consider a built-in pump for easy setup. Not only do airbeds offer comfort, but they also help keep you off the cold, uneven ground.

Don’t underestimate the power of a camping pillow.

While you might think a rolled-up hoodie will do, a proper pillow will support your neck and help you wake up feeling fresh.

Inflatable camping pillows are ideal for festivals as they pack down small, while foam options provide extra comfort.

A huge plus side is that most festivals take place in the sunny season of June and July so the lack of sunshine hopefully won’t be an issue. But English weather is famous for being unpredictable so it’s a good idea to make sure you’re prepped; check the weather forecast regularly and be ready for even the smallest change.

• Comfortable trainers - that you're comfortable standing in all day.
• Waterproof jacket - if it rains.
• Wellies - it can get very muddy if it rains.
• Warm hoodie and joggers - it can get very cold at night.

Go easy on the heavy layers and maybe even forego packing oversized anything — you want space in your backpack for your festival essentials. You need to be strategic and think about which clothes have multi-uses.

Nothing puts a dampener on a festival quite like poor hygiene. But with a little planning, you can turn your temporary festival home into a space where staying fresh is easy.

It’s often the little things that make the biggest difference, so here’s our must-have checklist for festival camping:

Painkillers
Baby wipes
Deodorant
Toilet roll
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Hairbrush
Dry shampoo
Microfibre towel

Keep things simple—less is more when it comes to festival packing.

A well-curated kit will make unpacking and repacking a breeze, giving you more time to enjoy the festival vibes.

A festival essentials list isn’t a festival essentials list without doing something about those harmful UV rays that will no doubt have an impact if you’re spending hours out and about — and if you’re doing it right — you will.

So what does that mean for you? That means sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. While you’re at it, if the heat is bound to bring some pests your way then load up on DEET spray to take care of that for you.

The last thing you want to worry about is itchy, distracting bites while you’re out trying to enjoy the festivities.

You’re probably thinking “they’ve got food at the festival”, but if this isn’t your first rodeo, that’s not quite enough.

You’ll be spending a lot of time queuing up to get your food along with thousands of others who are trying to get something to nibble on. This is why water and food backup can go a long way and are a must for things to bring to a festival. Consider bringing the following:

• Drink cooler: To keep your refreshments and snacks fresh for the entire stay
• Camping water bottle: There’ll be plenty of stations to top up and you won’t have to worry about spending money on every refreshment there
• Unperishable foot items: Canned or dried food can go a long way if you’re planning to cook on-site

Chances are, your over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol will come in handy.

You’ll be pitching your tent in a noisy area, getting up and sleeping at strange hours and your body will feel the brunt of it.

Make sure you’re prepped ahead of time to subdue any persistent headaches, cramps and sprains coming your way. If you’ve got the space, a first aid kit can be a life-saver. You’ll find many compact versions that can easily find space in your backpack.

When you’re at a festival for more than just a day, adding a few key camping accessories can really enhance your experience.

Your tent should be more than just a place to sleep—it’s where you’ll take a break, have a meal, or catch up with friends away from the main stage. With the right camping furniture, your festival setup will feel just like home.

A camping table is perfect for everything from meals to card games.

Compact, foldable, and easy to set up, it gives you a stable surface for cooking, eating, or just hanging out. Whether you’re sharing snacks with friends or organising your festival gear, a sturdy camping table is essential for adding that extra comfort to your tent.

Plus, it doesn’t take up much space when you’re packing.

Don’t underestimate the power of a good camping chair. After a day of dancing and exploring, a comfortable chair gives you a much-needed break.

Look for lightweight, foldable options that are easy to carry and offer back support.

Whether you're chilling by the campfire or taking in the festival atmosphere, a reliable camping chair is a must-have for ultimate relaxation.

So there you have it! Now that you’ve got the low-down on your festival checklist packing, do your bit to embody ‘leave no trace’. This means putting the environment first and cleaning up after yourself, from rubbish, and camping equipment to tents and food waste. This will make a huge difference for the festival organisers and your fellow festival-goers and you’ll effectively champion an ecofriendly way of having fun. And we’re all for that! Happy festivities!