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Packing Essentials For Festival Season
Festival season is just around the corner, and if you were lucky enough to grab tickets for all of your favourite events, you’ll be looking forward to a summer of music, dancing, socialising and new experiences. Packing for a festival is a fine art - you don’t want to overpack, yet being unprepared can result in disaster. As such, here is a list of essentials you mustn’t forget this summer, so you can focus less on the preparations and more on enjoying yourself.
Sleeping Arrangements
When it comes to festivals, a good-quality tent makes all the difference. You may be perfectly happy squeezing into a basic one-man tent, but having enough room for your belongings, as well as a sheltered outdoor storage space for muddy shoes, will make your experience much more enjoyable. Alternatively, you may have chosen to book a nearby BnB or hotel, in which case, don’t forget to make note of your booking confirmation.
Weather-Appropriate Footwear
It may be the height of summer, but you can’t always rely on the weather forecast. Festivals can become notoriously wet and muddy, so make sure you pack weather-appropriate footwear, such as walking boots or wellies. You will also likely be doing a lot of walking and standing around, so comfortable footwear is essential. Packing good-quality waterproofs, such as a cagoule, poncho or raincoat, is also advisable.
Toiletries
Keeping yourself fresh and clean at a festival may be easier said than done, but packing a few essential toiletries will make you feel more comfortable and hygienic. Pack a small wash bag with baby wipes, dry shampoo, deodorant, insect repellent, mouthwash and anything else you might need to survive the weekend. If you’re fortunate enough to have shower access, make sure you pack shampoo, conditioner and body wash. Additionally, don’t forget to bring a towel.
Ear Protection
As enjoyable as a gig or a music festival may be, you might often find yourself returning home to discover your ears are ringing. While many people see this as a hallmark of a good night, exposure to loud music can result in irreparable hearing damage. Caring for your ears is crucial, so pack several pairs of well-fitting earplugs to minimise the risk of noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus. Ear plugs will also help you get some restful sleep amidst the noise and chaos of the festival.
Sun Protection
Many of us have sustained sunburn whilst preoccupied with having fun at a summer festival. Protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays is crucial, as repeated sunburn can significantly increase your risk of developing melanoma skin cancer. Pack good quality sunscreen with an SPF factor of at least 30 (50 for children), and cover up whenever possible. Reapply your sunscreen every two hours for consistent protection.
Clothes And Accessories
Packing your entire wardrobe for a weekend-long event may not be sensible, but several changes of comfortable clothes will account for bad weather. If nothing else, make sure you have several changes of socks, as having wet feet is always miserable. Additionally, a wide-brimmed sun hat will help to protect your face and neck from the blistering sun. You may also want to pack festival accessories, such as glittery makeup, flower crowns, a bum bag for your phone and money, and an apito whistle for fun in the disco tent.
First-Aid Kit
While most large-scale festivals have ambulance tents and qualified first-aid experts, a compact first-aid kit will account for minor injuries, such as cuts, grazes, splinters and sprains. You can either purchase a travel first-aid kit from a pharmacy or compile one yourself. Some essential items to include are plasters, sterile dressings, tweezers, antiseptic wipes, triangular bandages and medication such as painkillers and allergy relief.
Chargers And Power Banks
Being without your smartphone can be unsettling. You may feel utterly lost without your phone, so keep it charged and functional by packing your charger. Many modern festivals feature charging stations; however, you can’t always rely on such facilities. You can avoid the issue of a dead battery by purchasing several power banks and charging them fully before you leave for your festival. Some high-quality power banks are able to charge your smartphone up to six times, so consider splashing out.