What To Pack For A Camping Music Festival

Camping festival season is finally here! Many of you will be embarking on journeys to other states to unite on the dance floor with your festival family. Lightning In A Bottle and Summer Camp Festival are two popular memorial weekend camping events that are just around the corner, and EDC is even offering camping this year.

Camping festivals are my favorite events, however if you’re not prepared, then things can get rough. Prepping for an extended weekend of weather possibilities, food & beverages, and sleeping accommodations are the most important factors to consider. Then after the necessities are packed, you can’t forget those novelty items that will enhance your festival experience.

Remembering everything can be hard, so here are iEDM’s camping festival essentials:

Clothing

When packing your festival outfits, you first need to check the weather for the town that the event takes place and consider what the high and the lows are. Fingers crossed for a warm, precipitation-free weekend, however if the forecast predicts rain, then you better bring those rain boots.

Late night hours, you can always expect the temperatures to drop so bringing a hoodie and joggers is crucial. Being underprepared and cold is never a fun experience.

During the day, if hot weather is predicted, then crops tops, booty shorts or weekend shorts will keep you cool on the dance floor.

Talk with your festival squad before the weekend to coordinate matching rave outfits. Also check if the event you are attending has a theme For example, any Insomniac event, Owls are always a go-to.

To wrap up your packing, always bring extra socks, underwear and extra shoes. If those new sandals give you a blister on day one, you need to have an extra pair of sneakers that can get you through the weekend.

Accessories

A must-have accessory is a backpack or fanny pack. This makes it easy to carry your essentials like your wallet, cellphone, and zip-up hoodie around the festival without losing them. Check the bag regulations for the event you are attending to be sure your bag meets the guidelines. We suggest a hydration pack that you can refill, reducing water bottle waste and keeping you hydrated. (Read why hydration packs are a festival must HERE.)

A backpack is a necessity, but we can’t forget the fun stuff! Flow lights and other LED toys are a fun and entertaining way to add to festival experience. Find your flow with a space whip, orbit, hula hoop, poi, or LED gloves. Perfect your rave outfit with kaleidoscope goggles or LED glasses.

Campsite Essentials

There’s no better feeling than rolling up to your camp site with your crew and making it home for the next 4 days. Coordinate with your festival fam to bring campsite essentials like chairs, a shade structure, and coolers. You can go all out and pack a camping stove with your favorite foods. Bring a cooler with your favorite drinks, from beer to coconut water. And most important, bring several gallons of water to drink, brush your teeth, etc.

Make your campsite the spot to hangout with your friends when you aren’t at the stages. Don’t forget a tapestry to decorate your space and to mark your camp, because sometimes all the tents look the same making it easy to get lost.

Most importantly, plan quality sleeping accommodations. Unless you are a freak of nature who likes to go zombie mode (which we don’t recommend), you will need to catch some zzz’s at some point throughout the weekend.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in all my camping festival experiences, it’s that having a quality tent with a sleeping pad or air mattress can make your weekend. Having a comfortable place to rejuvenate is the key to feeling great each day. It’s always a good idea to pack extra blankets in case the temperatures drop lower than expected. And lastly, don’t forget a pillow!

We also suggest bringing a festival blanket that you designate to lay on the ground at the shows for when you want to rest or sit at a stage.

Be sure to familiarize yourself with the festival rules and camping info. For example, Summer Camp Festival requires you to carry your camping gear from your car, so a cart or wagon will ease your set up. Most festivals don’t allow glass, so you’ll need to have plastic bottles or containers.

Extras

Don’t forget any medications that you take at home. Packing some first aid essentials like ibuprofen and bandaids is always a good idea. Even though there are medical tents, it’s always convenient when you have it handy at your campsite. 

A battery pack is an essential that can give your phone a charge while walking around the festival. Another must-have item is a flashlight, headlamp or lantern light with fresh batteries so you can see at night.

Camping festivals are one of the best ways to experience live music with your friends, but being unprepared can ruin the experience. But that is why we are! With a little organization and prepping, you can be a festival pro in no time. 

Read tips for flying to a camping festival HERE.

Get your festival outfit ready with the Festival Season Collection HERE.