If you’re planning to attend your first festival this summer and you’re a bit nervous about what to expect, the guide below on surviving your first festival is just what you need. Discover what to pack, how to stay well, how not to lose your friends, and so much more.
Plan ahead
It’s not a good idea to book a festival and then simply turn up on the day without a plan. More likely than not, this will result in you wandering around aimlessly for hours and missing out on all the best acts.
Instead, take the time to plan and think about what you don’t want to miss at your festival of choice. For example, see who’s headlining, where they’re performing, and what time, so you can plan your time accordingly.
Consider accommodation options
Do you think your only option is to rough it in a pop-up tent? Think again. If you can’t stand the idea of sleeping on the hard ground surrounded by mud for days, you may want to explore festival glamping options.
Festival glamping is a relatively new phenomenon that enables you to enjoy your festival experience in a more luxurious setting, complete with bedding, pillows, and a barrier between you and the mud!
Stay hydrated
Whether you intend to indulge in alcohol or not, you need to make sure that you stay hydrated when you’re at a festival. Rather than keep having to buy bottles of water, it’s a much better idea to take a refillable bottle as most festivals have water filling stations that are free to use.
If you do start to feel unwell and suspect that you may be suffering from the effects of dehydration, make your way to the medical tent to get checked over; it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Pack all the essentials
Of course, you’ll want to look your best when you’re at your first festival, but there are more important things to pack than glittery eyeshadow and an abundance of skimpy clothes. Some of the essentials that you may want to pack include:
- A tent
- A sleeping bag
- A roll mat
- A camping chair
- A torch
- Waterproofs
- A water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Dry shampoo
- Deodorant
- Toilet paper
- Hand sanitizer
- A first aid kit
Agree on a meeting place
You may not think that you’re going to lose your friends at a festival, but this will more than likely happen at some point during the day (or night). Phone signals in the middle of a field can be sporadic at best, and non-existent at worst, so it always pays to have a plan B in place.
When you first arrive at a festival, take the time to arrange a meeting place where you can agree to meet up if you get split up. Make sure to choose an easy-to-see landmark or an attraction such as a fairground ride or a food stand.
Bring lots of baby wipes
If you’re going to a festival that takes place over more than one night, baby wipes are about to become your new best friend. Even if you don’t mind taking a shower in one of the on-site facilities, and these often leave a lot to be desired, the queues can be horrendous.
Instead, use baby wipes to keep your most intimate areas clean, to get rid of any caked-on mud, and to refresh your makeup each day.
Invest in high-quality shoes
As you can imagine, there’s a lot of walking to be done at a festival, so unless you want bleeding and blistering feet, you need to invest in a good pair of shoes. Don’t be tempted to wear brand-new shoes to a festival as this is just asking for trouble.
Instead, pack a couple of pairs of shoes that you know are comfortable and that can withstand a lot of walking. Also, bring several pairs of socks as the last thing you’ll want to do is walk around in shoes without socks, especially when you’re probably going to be sweating a lot.
You’re probably feeling a mixture of emotions ahead of your first festival, including excitement, nerves, and maybe even fear. However, by making sure you’re prepared for every eventuality, (well, almost every one!), you’re guaranteed to have an amazing experience