Planning ahead can help you get the best experience for your first festival. Tips to prepare include making a list of what to pack, going with people you trust, getting familiar with the facilities, and more.

Millions of people enjoy live music events every year. Whether you’re attending a festival for the first or tenth time, it’s a great idea to prepare for the best experience before you go.

This article lists six key tips to prepare for your first music festival, from creating a packing list to looking after yourself when you arrive on the site.

Make a list of what to pack in advance. This way, you can go out and purchase anything you’re missing ahead of time, and you may be less likely to forget anything important.

Your packing list might include the following:

  • enough outfits for every day, plus spare clothes in case anything gets dirty
  • practical, comfortable shoes — you’ll be standing for long periods
  • a tent and bedding, if you’re camping on-site
  • a reusable water bottle
  • a small zip-up bag for your essentials
  • cash for any food, drinks, or merch
  • a handheld fan
  • personal hygiene products, including deodorant and spare toilet paper
  • sun protection
  • snacks
  • hand sanitizer
  • a battery pack for any emergency phone charging

Your packing list might vary depending on how long the festival is, the weather forecast, and the site facilities, but planning ahead can ensure you have everything you need.

Personal hygiene can be a challenge at festivals, but thinking ahead can help you stay clean and safe. Below are some key areas you might want to consider:

Sun protection

Festivals can involve long periods of sun exposure, which puts you at risk of sunburn. Sunburn can be painful, which may affect your festival experience, but it also increases your risk of some serious health issues, such as skin cancer.

Tips to protect yourself from the sun include:

  • Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 before going in the sun and reapply it every two hours.
  • Cover up during the hottest part of the day to protect your skin.
  • Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun.
  • Wear a cap or wide-brimmed hat to protect areas you might miss with sunscreen, including your scalp and the tops of your ears.

It may also be helpful to bring sunburn remedies, like aloe vera gel and over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief, just in case.

Hydration

Staying hydrated is just as important as protecting your skin from the sun, especially if you’re drinking alcohol.

Bring along a reusable water bottle that you can keep filled and at your side. Most adults need six to eight glasses of fluid every day, and you might need more if you’re dancing or in hot temperatures.

It may also be helpful to familiarize yourself with the signs of dehydration so you know if it’s time to get out of the sun and seek help.

Personal hygiene

It’s no joke that festival toilets and washing facilities aren’t very luxurious. It’s a great idea to take some personal hygiene products to help you stay clean and feel your best. This might include:

  • spare toilet paper
  • menstrual products, if necessary
  • hand sanitizer
  • baby wipes
  • dry shampoo
  • your favorite moisturizer
  • toothpaste and toothbrush
  • a mini deodorant for your bag
  • band aids
  • contraception

Ear protection

High noise levels at concerts and festivals can damage your hearing and cause temporary symptoms like tinnitus, even if it’s your first ever festival.

People who don’t attend music events frequently may be less likely to use hearing protection. However, it’s a great idea to invest in earplugs to protect your hearing, especially if you plan to be close to the stage or speakers.

Some manufacturers create earplugs specifically designed for live music events, so you can keep your ears safe while still getting the full experience.

Whether you’re attending with a single friend or as part of a group, who you attend your first festival with can help make your experience the best it can be.

Attending your first festival with people you trust ensures you’ve got support if anything goes wrong.

No matter what size your group is, some people like to implement a buddy system to make sure no one’s ever left on their own or in a dangerous situation.

A key part of planning your first festival is deciding which acts you and your friends want to see. It may be best to choose your top must-see acts and plan the rest of your days around those.

Bear in mind that festivals are busy, and the sites can be pretty large. It can take more time than you’d expect to get between different stages, especially if you’re trying to get out from the front of a crowd after one act.

Most festival websites will have a map you can check out before you get there. Some key facilities you might want to familiarize yourself with include:

  • the toilets
  • washing facilities
  • camping areas
  • water bottle refill stations
  • where to buy food
  • a good meeting point, in case anyone gets lost
  • first aid points

You might want to bring a printout of the map so you can refer to it if you’re not confident about finding your way around when you arrive.

Most festivals will also have stewards who can help get you where you need to go.

For most people, festivals are a great experience that they’ll want to return to again and again! Preparing ahead can help set you up with everything you need, including thinking about how to handle situations you might not have been in before.

Remember the following tips when attending your first festival:

  • Crowds can feel overwhelming. Don’t be afraid to take a break and move a little further away from the stage, especially if you find yourself caught up in an unexpected mosh pit.
  • Arrange a meeting point to regroup at in case you or any of your friends get lost.
  • Don’t feel pressured to take any substances you don’t want to take, especially from people you don’t know or trust. Many festivals have on-site drug testing to help you stay safe.
  • Consider bringing contraception for safe sex.
  • If you’re planning on ingesting any substances, including alcohol, consider taking it in turns to be the “party steward” who will stay sober and look after the others.
  • Speak with the stewards or security if you have any concerns.

Festivals are increasingly popular and a great way to see lots of your favorite musicians. Planning ahead is a great way to make sure you’ve got everything you need and make your experience the best it can be.

Think about what you want to pack, including personal safety products like sun protection, a refillable water bottle, and ear protection.

Get to know the facilities, communicate with your friends about looking after each other, and don’t be afraid to rely on the site stewards for help!