The Essential Packing List for Music Festival Camping
Getting prepared for music festival camping can feel like a task in itself, with so much that needs to be thought about and planned for. But, don’t let that deter you – with the right approach and just the few essential items, you can make it through the weekend with minimal hassle.
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Having been a father of three children and an experienced camper, I have come to learn through trial and error what essential items to bring, and what to leave out. Now that I’m packing for music festivals, I’m no longer the newbie, and I’m here to guide you in your preparations. Here is my definitive list of what to bring to music festival camping.
The Tent
An obvious, but often overlooked, item is the tent. Even if you are planning on booking a more luxurious camping option such as yurts or bell tents, you will still need to bring a tent if you decide to use it as a more comfortable sleeping space. A basic camping tent is usually enough for music festival camping, but if you’re planning to do more camping in the near future, you may want to invest in a higher quality tent that you can use for multiple occasions.
When packing your tent make sure to remember tent pegs and poles. It is not uncommon to forget these two items, but you not having them could cause a lot of hassle when you arrive.
Ground Sheet
A ground sheet is essential for keeping the bottom of your tent clean and dry. Most tent manufacturers recommend using a ground sheet that is slightly larger than the tent itself to make sure the sides of your tent are not resting on the ground and potentially collecting moisture. Ground sheets are easy to store inside a tent, and if you’re planning on doing some serious camping, then I suggest investing in one.
Sleeping Bags & Pillows
Believe it or not, sleeping bags and pillows are essential for getting a comfortable night’s sleep. I can’t stress enough the comfort that a good sleeping bag can bring. As for the pillow, you can bring either a camping-friendly one or use your own pillowcase and stuff it with extra clothes. Keep in mind that the temperature at music festivals can range from hot during the day, to cold at night, so it’s always important to bring a sleeping bag that can handle both.
Camping Chair & Table
Maybe more of a want than a need, but a camping chair and table can be a great way to relax in your campsite when you’re not enjoying the music. Investing in a good quality chair and table set can be an invaluable addition to your camping gear, but if you are on a budget, you can also opt for a cheaper, foldable chair and table.
Lantern or Torch
A lantern or torch is essential for finding your way around the campgrounds at night. Headlamps are great for hands-free convenience, and with newer models, you can even adjust the brightnessSo, no matter if you’re aiming high or low, make sure to bring a light source with you to the festival.
Portable Charger & USB Devices
A portable charger and USB devices can be great for charging your phone or tablet, but they can also be useful for charging small electronic devices such as lights, speakers, and air pumps. There are many different types of portable chargers on the market, and I suggest looking around to find one that best suits your needs.
Clothing & Footwear
When it comes to clothing and footwear for music festivals, I recommend bringing a mix of items that can be layered easily. Think light jackets and pants, breathable shoes or sandals, and sunglasses! Also, don’t forget to bring something comfortable to sleep in, as well as a face covering for when you’re navigating in and around crowds.
Basic Supplies
Having the basic camping supplies such as a cooker, lighter, and non-perishable food is also essential. Don’t forget to bring of the basics like toilet paper, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, and kitchen towels. And if you’re bringing coolers, make sure you have enough ice packs.
The Extras
Though not essential, some extras such as a foldable solar panel can be great for keeping your devices charged in case of a power outage. You could also bring a hammock or extra chairs for more comfortable relaxation – and don’t forget your favourite music or loud speaker! And finally, with camping comes cleaning up – so make sure to bring a dustpan and brush to tidy up the campsite.
Now that you know what to bring to a music festival, check out this awesome video where I take you through the camping process in detail.
Of course, you could always come with nothing and pick up all the items you need from the festival grounds – but this comes with the risk of items selling out and having to buy them at a much higher price. A well-prepared camping kit can save you a lot of time, money, and stress on the festival grounds, so I suggest making the effort to have all the essential items for your music festival camping trip.