The Ultimate Guide to Surviving a Music Festival: A Vibes-Packed Journey

The beats are contagious, the vibes are electric, and the memories are legendary. Surviving a music festival is not just about enduring; it’s about thriving in the midst of the harmonious chaos.

If you’re new to festivals, you’ll inevitably show up to your first one under-prepared—it’s almost a right of passage. We may or may not have shown up to Tomorrowland seriously underequipped and then almost given in to hypothermia the first night. 😬 But we headed to the nearest Belgian Jumbo equivalent and stocked up on supplies for the rest of the festival. Lesson learnt.

But fear not, fellow raver. You don’t have to suffer from the same mistakes we did during festival season. In this music festival survival guide, we’ll navigate you through the essential tips and tricks to ensure your festival experience is not just enjoyable, safe and memorable, but downright euphoric.

What to expect at a music festival

You’ve watched the videos, read the experiences, and dreamt about entering the festival grounds. One thing’s for sure: As soon as you walk in, you’ll be hit with the most electrifying atmosphere, more extraordinary than you ever could have hoped for.

People are dancing, laughing, and just having a blast. The vibes are all about good music, good company, and good times. Expect to meet all kinds of awesome and kooky people, from music junkies to free spirits. We’ve encountered some of the most friendly, open, free-spirited people at electronic music festivals—everyone is there to just have a good time.

And while you get swept up in this initial high, it’s important to keep your spirits up when you encounter the not-so-great things, such as long queues and big crowds—after all, it’s all a part of the experience!

Pre-planning essentials

Before you start packing your bags and getting ready to dance the weekend away, it’s important to take care of some pre-planning essentials. If you’re a free-spirit, go-with-the-flow kind of person, extreme planning is probably not what you envision for music festival preparation. But trust us—planning everything down to the tiniest detail will ensure you have the most care-free and enjoyable festival experience possible.

Choosing the right festival for you

For fans of electronic music, Europe offers the best music festivals in the world. Some popular options include Tomorrowland in Belgium, Ultra Europe in Croatia, and Creamfields in the UK. These festivals are known for their impressive lineup of top DJs and electronic artists, as well as their vibrant and energetic festival atmosphere.

When choosing the right festival for you, consider factors such as the location, lineup, and festival atmosphere. If you are looking for a beachside festival experience, Ultra Europe in Split, Croatia might be the perfect choice for you. If you are interested in a larger-scale festival with extravagant stages and immersive production, then Tomorrowland in Boom, Belgium could be the ideal option.

It is important to ensure that the festival you choose aligns with your expectations and offers a safe and enjoyable experience for you and your festival pals. Research the festival’s reputation, read reviews from previous attendees, and consider the overall atmosphere and crowd vibe before making your decision. By taking these factors into account, you can be sure to find the perfect electronic music festival in Europe that suits your music preferences and delivers an unforgettable festival experience.

Creating a checklist of must-have items

When creating a music festival checklist, it’s important to include essential items to make your time at the festival as comfortable and safe as possible. You’ll need to create a list for camping and sleeping, personal care items, food and water, health and safety supplies, necessary documents, chargers and more.

Researching festival rules and regulations

Before attending the music festival, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the music festival rules and regulations. It may seem unnecessary, but you really don’t want to go to the trouble of securing tickets, travelling to the festival, and anticipating the event only to be turned away for a simple rule violation.

Music festival guidelines typically include restrictions on items such as cameras and other prohibited items. Some festivals may have strict rules regarding camera usage, with professional cameras and recording equipment often being prohibited.

It’s also common for festivals to have restrictions on bringing in outside food and drinks, as well as certain items such as weapons, drones, and large backpacks. You’ll also want to read up on the festival’s policies on drugs and alcohol, as many events have a zero-tolerance policy for illegal substances. So check out the festival’s official website or contact the organizers directly to ensure you have the most up-to-date information

Packing essentials

When it comes to travel, having the right packing essentials can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and enjoyable trip. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a longer adventure, being prepared with the right items can help make your journey stress-free and efficient. From practical items like clothing and toiletries to important travel documents and technology, knowing what essentials to pack can help you make the most of your time away from home. Here’s everything you need to make your next trip a breeze.

Water bottle

A reusable water bottle is an absolute must and a convenient way to ensure you get plenty of water. Navigating festival grounds and raving away to your favourite artists is a sure way to end up dehydrated if you’re not careful—in fact, dehydration is one of the most common causes of collapse at music festivals.

If you’re willing to splurge, you could go for a water bottle with a built-in filtration system, like the LifeStraw. It makes accessing clean drinking water, especially when camping or attending outdoor festivals, much easier. You’ll be able to fill your bottle at the designated water refill stations and not worry about its quality.

Portable phone charger

A lot of music festivals have charging stations which are great in a pinch, but you don’t want to have to rely on them. Instead, keep your devices charged by bringing a portable charger.

Having a charged phone is crucial for communication with friends or emergency situations that may arise during the festival. Plus, a charged phone allows you to take photos and videos so you can remember your amazing festival experience and share it with others.

When choosing a power bank, consider the capacity and the number of ports. Look for a portable charger with a high mAh (milliampere-hour) rating so you can get multiple charges for your phone. It’s also helpful to have multiple ports so you can charge more than one device at a time.

Fanny Pack or Backpack

During your time at the festival, you’ll likely be far away from where you’re staying most of the time, so it’s important to have a comfortable bag to carry around your most-needed items. Using a bum bag/fanny pack at a music festival offers makes it super easy to access your essentials such as your phone, wallet, and water bottle, wherever you are. The best thing is that they also allow for hands-free movement and you can quickly retrieve your items.

However, the storage space is limited, and it may not be suitable for carrying larger items like a sweater or snacks. A backpack provides more storage space for larger items and distributes the weight more evenly across the body, which can be more comfortable for long periods of wear. The downside is that accessing items in a backpack can be less convenient than with a fanny pack/bum bag.

The choice between a fanny pack and a backpack for a music festival depends on the amount of storage space needed and the level of comfort desired. A fanny pack is ideal for easy access to essentials, while a backpack is better for carrying larger items and distributing weight. Both have their advantages and can be used depending on individual preferences. If you have space (fanny packs are relatively small) then you could take both and see which works for your when you’re there.

Wet wipes & hand sanitiser

While at the music festival, you’re not going to have constant access to hand-washing facilities. You’ll want to pack at least 2-3 packets of 30 wipes each for personal hygiene and cleaning purposes, such as wiping hands, face, and surfaces, as well as a bottle of hand sanitiser.

If you have the space, you might also want to consider bringing some disinfectant wipes for cleaning surfaces around your tent or campsite, or in case of any spills.

Cereal Bars & Snacks

Music festivals usually have a bunch of dining options, whether they are street food trucks, stalls, or, in some cases, gourmet restaurants. But for when you just want a small snack to sustain you, or need something to eat when the dining options are closed, you should bring along some snacks that are convenient to transport to the festival and to eat.

Some of the best options to consider include cereal bars, granola bars, tangerines, crackers, chips, and energy bars. If you can manage it, taking some bottled water is a good idea too.

Toilet paper & other necessities

It’s important to be prepared with these types of items for a music festival due to the uncertain conditions of festival toilets and showers. Portable toilets at music festivals often run out of toilet paper and may not have adequate handwashing facilities. Bringing your own toilet paper ensures that you won’t be caught in a sticky situation.

It goes without saying, but personal hygiene products such as toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, and feminine hygiene products are also necessary to keep you feeling fresh throughout the festival. As music festivals often involve camping and spending long hours outdoors, it’s crucial to be prepared with these items to maintain your comfort and hygiene.

Camping essentials (if applicable)

If you’re going to be camping at the music festival campsites, there’s a whole other checklist to consider. Along with your typical camping gear, make sure to include a first aid kit, extra clothes for unexpected weather changes, a water filter for clean drinking water, and a solar-powered lantern and torch for nighttime illumination. You also want to consider the climate you’re staying in. For example, in northern European countries, even in Summer, the nights can be quite cool and humid, so you’ll want to make sure you have a completely waterproof tent and warm bedding and clothing.

When you arrive at the festival, choosing a smart camping spot is key. Look for an area that is relatively flat, away from potential hazards like overhanging branches or ant hills, and not too close to high-traffic areas. Check festival camping tips for any specific guidelines or restrictions that may affect your camping setup.

In addition to these essentials and smart camping spot tips, be sure to research the festival’s policies on camping to avoid any surprises upon arrival. With the right gear, a well-chosen camping spot, and knowledge of the festival’s camping guidelines, you’ll be well-prepared for an unforgettable music festival experience.

Tent Poles & Stakes

To ensure safety and visibility at night, it is important to mark and secure tent poles and stakes properly. Using brightly coloured tape or spray paint, mark the tops of the tent poles and stakes to make them easy to see in the dark. This will help prevent any accidental tripping over them during the night.

Use heavy-duty stakes and a mallet to secure the tent firmly to the ground. This will prevent the tent from shifting or collapsing, creating potential tripping hazards. Make sure the stakes are securely anchored in the ground to provide maximum stability.

Tips for a safe festival experience

Attending a music festival can be an exhilarating and memorable experience, but it’s important to prioritize safety while enjoying the event.

1. Be mindful of alcohol and other substances. If you’re going to consume them, do it responsibly and safely.

2. Designate a meeting spot. Choose an easily locatable spot on the festival grounds for everyone to meet up in case you get separated or lost.

3. Stay hydrated. We really can’t say it enough. Drink lots of water, don’t be tempted to go without because you don’t want to queue or walk to get it. Consider taking some electrolytes with you as well.

4. Nourish your body with adequate food. It’s easy to forget to eat when you’re having the time of your life, but you’ll be thankful if you eat well during your time at the festival.

5. Take time to familiarize yourself with the festival grounds. Locate essential facilities such as first aid, toilets, bathrooms, water stations and food. Find the quickest route to your campsite.

6. Implement a buddy system. Keep and eye out for each other! Try to stick together and never leave a friend alone if they are feeling unwell.

7. Watch your drinks. Never leave your drinks unattended to prevent any potential tampering.

8. Take breaks. We know, we know. You want to make the most of your music festival experience and not miss a single thing. But, it’s important to know your limits and take a break to recharge every now and then.

Get ready for the most amazing music festival experience

There’s a lot to consider when you’re attending a multi-day music event, more than you would expect. But now you’ve read this music festival guide, you’ll be fully prepared and know exactly what to expect. It might seem like a lot, but by taking the time to carefully follow the tips provided, you really can make the most of your experience and create lasting memories.

So, whether it’s your first time attending a music festival or you’re a seasoned veteran, be sure to plan, prep and party like there’s no tomorrow.