The Ultimate Festival Packing List to Save You Money (71 Things!)

Get your festival packing list right, and trust me, your whole festival experience will be vastly improved and you won’t have to spend money on last second essentials there. I’ve been to over 50 festivals so welcome to the ULTIMATE festival checklist so you have everything you need.

I’ve been to 49 festivals in 20 different countries, so I know what I’m talking about when it comes to packing for festivals. Some of the tips below you can ignore, based on the festival you’re going to (UK vs US for example), but this is intended to be the best festival packing list on the internet so I wanted to introduce you to anything you could ever want.

Top 6 festival essentials

1. Your ticket – double and triple check you have it before you leave the house, and check a few times on the way too. This one time, I lost my festival ticket for Reading Festival between the first check gate and the second.

There were tears. 

I found it, but it involved checking every ticket sleeve that had been discarded between the entrance and getting off the bus. You do NOT want to have to buy another ticket, if they even have them.

2. Money and bank card – if you feel happy enough bringing all the money you need for the festival in one, go ahead. I prefer to work in a hundred at a time and then just bring my bank card too. There are usually ATMs all over the festival sites so you won’t be without cash. You’re going to have to weigh up multiple withdrawal fees vs the possibility of spending too much.

If you’re packing for a festival abroad then just double check your bank card works there too. 

3. Medication – any meds you need, bring them along in a waterproof / weatherproof bag. They need to be able to survive the elements in tough conditions.

4. Driving license – don’t let your baby face get in the way of you and your cider! But you don’t want to lose your passport, so driving license every time.

5. Parking ticket – if you’ve had to buy a separate festival packing ticket then don’t forget to bring that along too. 

6. Your phone – there’s no way to meet up with your mates without it! Just make sure it’s well protected with a LifeProof case, or similar, and keep it safe. I had my phone robbed at BBK Festival, out of the front of my bag and I don’t want that to happen to you. I’ve actually written a whole post on how NOT to lose your phone at festivals, based on experience. Don’t forget your phone charger either.

Sleeping at a festival checklist

7. Light and nifty tent – make sure to choose one that’s going to suit the weather, and your festival style. If you know you’re not going to be in your tent much, this simple 2-person pop up tent will be great. 

For Glastonbury – a week of camping in the varied weather – I wanted a decent one. I actually ended up getting a Coleman 4-man, with temperature control technology in the tarpaulin, and light technology too.

8. Sleeping bag to suit the elements – make sure to check the TOG so you know it’s the right one for the temperature at your festival. If it’s going to rain on your way into your festival then make sure to cover it with a plastic bag. No one wants a soggy sleeping bag – trust me!

9. Lilo or blow up bed – definitely needed if you’re packing for a British field festival this year. This single blow up mattress will be worth every penny, especially if it rains and the ground is cold and wet. Doubles are available too. 

If you don’t want the hassle of carrying a blow up bed in, you could try a self inflating mattress, or a camping roll mat. 

10. Groundsheet – this 6 x 4ft one will do the job. Groundsheets are actually a great thing to pack in your day pack for festivals as you can sit on them around the main arena and they’re not too heavy to carry. 

11. Pillow – I used to be able to sleep on a rolled up hoody but as a more discerning festivalgoer these days I like to have a proper pillow to lay my head on. And it’s a no to camping pillows from me.

12. Bed sheet – getting fancy now but I like to put a bedsheet on my blow up mattress, and if it’s cold weather I like to add a blanket under that too. Just makes the bed feel that bit cosier y’know?

13. Mallet – it is heavy but make sure you bring a mallet along to hammer in all the tent pegs firmly, You don’t want to be tripping on them every time you leave the tent, or worse, your tent fly off in the wind.

This is one of those things to talk to your festival group about as you only really need one. 

14. Foot pump – add this to your festival packing list as you’re not gonna get that inflatable bed up without a foot pump!

Eating at the festival checklist

15. Cooking stove – this one time, at Glastonbury, my friend bought a cooking stove and it was amazing to have fresh coffee in the morning without having to deal with queueing up. Absolute dream. Also good for Pot Noodles and Cup a Soups too. 

This neat little cooking stove number will be easy to carry from the car – don’t forget the gas.

16. Camping chairs – if you can be bothered to carry camping chairs around, you’ll definitely be that bit comfier.

17. Reusable products – enamel mugs, reusable plastic cups and reusable bottles are essential for festivals. You can use them to help clean your teeth, to drink out of, and to eat cereal and soup of too. Total festival must haves to avoid all that single use plastic. The bottles can keep your drink cool too.

18. Bags of wine – they’re the cheapest and lightest way to get your fix in. You could save hundreds, well, the rate I drink anyway. If you’re wondering what alcohol to take to a festival: Best Alcohol for Festivals. 

19. Collapsible water container – take one of these for when you need to walk to the tap and bring the water back to camp. Obviously you want to bring as much as possible. Also helps if you want to wash your hair, and body. 

20. Snacks – check out my post on the best food for festivals. I’d recommend at least taking along some crisps and/or nuts, just to have something to eat back at camp. If you have the money though – make the most of all the food on site.

21. Cooler – I feel like coolers are more of an American festivals idea. We had one for Coachella and it was amazing to keep in the car to keep all of our food and drink cool. If you do want to know which are the best cool boxes for festivals though, click that link!

22. Taste for water drinks – you can get drops to help flavour your water at festivals. If you’re not a water fan (like my boyfriend) then they’re the perfect antidote to help you stay hydrated. 

What to wear to festivals

23. Summer clothes – make sure to pack some shorts and dresses. Not too short that you can’t sit on the ground comfortably, but also not too long or restrictive that you’re hot. I’ve recently worked with Very on picking some of the best festival looks for this year here.

24. And winter clothes – you need to have nice, cosy jumpers for the evening and night. Most festivals are 24 hours and you don’t want to be the party pooper who goes home cold, do you?

Tights and leggings are a great day to night warm up – so add that to your festival checklist ladies! 

25. And rain clothes – one of the main things that puts people off festivals is the rain. Let me let you in to a little secret – skin is waterproof! As long as you’re prepared you’ll be fine. Make sure your festival packing list is done with the rain in mind.

Bring one more pair of trousers than you think you’ll need and a good rain jacket – a long one with a hood. Don’t bother with an umbrella, it’ll just be in the way and everyone will hate you. 

26. Fancy dress costumes – it’s quite a big thing now for festivals to have a theme, either for the whole festival or each day. And that means, fancy dress. In fact, sometimes even when festivals don’t have a theme, the attendees just take it on themselves to create one and dress up anyway. 

27. Cool leggings – oh, absolute festival must have right here. I bought some unicorn leggings for Glastonbury and haven’t looked back. They don’t take up much space in your festival kit list, and you can wear them under trousers for warmth.

28. Lots of socks – it’s so nice to be able to come back to the tent and put on a new and fresh pair of socks. Makes me feel like a new woman. 

29. Comfy wellies – if you’re going to a rainy British festival, you need some wellies! Although, if wellies aren’t really your thing, or it’s too hot – try hiking boots. More on the Best Footwear for Festivals here.

30. Rain mac that fits in your bag – If you’re festivalling in the UK then something to protect you from the rain is an absolute festival essential.

31. Hat – add this to your festival packing list to cover your festival-worn hair, for warmth, and to protect your head from the sun.

32. Flip flops – flip flops, or sliders, are a great shout to pack in your festival bag. Perfect for any late night trips to the toilet, as well as walking round the festival on a sunny day.

33. Swimsuit – some festivals have hot tubs now, or there are festivals like Wilderness where you can even go in the water. Make sure you’re well prepared to join in the fun!

34. A specially bagged clean set of clothes to go home in – they will feel amazing, so fresh and so clean. 

Toiletries for festivals

35. Toothbrush and paste – keeping your mouth minty is one of the very few ways to stay fresh, and the easiest. Take some mouthwash as well.

36. Sun cream – standing out in the sun every day can give you a red face, literally. Pack some sun cream.

37. Eye care – pack some eye drops to keep them refreshed and an eye cream to reduce puffiness. Consider getting contact lenses for dry eyes to make sure you’re comfortable all day. Be sure to order them in advance, and pack a spare pair along with a travel-sized lens solution.

38. Toilet roll – always carry toilet roll around at a festival. It’s so annoying to get your business done and then reach for the bog roll only to realise there’s none there. Little packets of tissues are a bit more bag and weather resilient.

39. Baby wipes – you definitely need some baby wipes.

40. Hand sanitiser – festivals are grimey. Please take hand sanitiser. This one is a spray too so you can give the toilets a quick going over before you park your bum. 

41. Make up – you’ll probably sack it off after a while, but always good for sprucing you up a bit!

42. Shampoo and conditioner – you never know when you might have time for a shower, pack it just in case.

43. Face cleaning stuff – get that Micellar water packed to get the dust and grime off.

44. Compact mirror – great for checking for boogers or spots without having to spend a second longer in the skanky Portaloo than you have to. Also, essential festival packing for all the glitter you’re going to apply. 

45. Glitter – an absolute festival must have in my eyes. There are glitter fairies doing all sorts of creations around festivals but you will pay quite a bit for it. Best to just take your own glitter and enjoy using it as much as possible.

Make sure to stick to the biodegradable types of glitter though as glitter off of thousands of people in the grounds and streams of a green space is not good for the environment.

46. Moisturiser – make sure you have a way to lubricate that dry skin. It’ll go through heat, dry, moisture and every weather possible, so take care of it.

47. Lip balm – you’ll be weak and broken by the end of the festival, no matter which festival you’re at, and my lips always go dry when this happens.

48. Vitamins – I like those effervescent ones that make water taste like orange juice. I’d definitely recommend packing vitamins for Glastonbury. It’s a long week and your immune system will be attacked. Stay strong! 

49. Paracetamol – obviously. 

50. Electrolytes – keep your energy up!

51. Bug spray – if your festival is near some water, or in a field (like most are) make sure to pack some insect repellant to keep the little critters away.

52. Deodorant – put this on, for the sake of your fellow festivalgoers. 

53. Camp soap – or at least something to wash yourself with if you choose to have a shower at the festival.

54. Dry shampoo – a festival checklist staple for so many people, but to be honest, I’ve never tried it. Batiste is the most popular brand to use. 

55. Perfume – good way to smell nice in a stinky environment. Try and get a sampler from Boots so you’re not stuck with a big perfume bottle.

56. Hairbrush and grips and bobbles – take spares so you don’t go crazy trying to find each item when you inevitably lose it.

57. Contraceptives – stay safe kids. Add these to your festival packing list if you think there’s any chance of a bit of nookie.

58. Sanitary products – take enough to see you through. There are usually shops selling sanitary products on site, but it’s just a matter of finding them. 

59. Diva cup – some people find Diva cups better to use, although remember there might not be an efficient place to wash it through properly after.

60. Cotton buds – great for your make up, ears and glitter.

More essentials for festivals

61. Trolley – a trolley could be the best money you ever spend for a festival. You can strap everything in and then just drag into the festival. These really help for the queueing to get in part of a festival. I’ve found some of the best festival wagons and trolleys here – click to see which ones you should buy!

62. Spare carrier bags – keep your rubbish in order, separate your filthy clothes from not so filthy during the fest and good for sitting on if the ground is a bit wet. 

63. Torch – believe me, you need to check out those toilet seats before you get your skin anywhere near them. Get a head torch for your festival.

64. A variety of sunglasses – sunglasses cover all kinds of sins so make sure you pack a few different looks to shield your eyes and face from the sun. 

65. String – can help if the weather is unpredictable and you need to wash your wet things from the day before in the sun. Also good just to have around for repairs etc.

66. Ear plugs and an eye mask – Glastonbury can get the better of even the wildest of party animals.

67. Waterproof dry bags – if you’re packing for a particularly rainy festival, and you have some tech on you, then you need to get a waterproof dry bag to protect your stuff. Whether you leave it in your tent, or take it with you, is up to you.

68. Microfiber towel – great space saving trick for if you want a towel for the shower, or at least keeping in some way clean at the festival. Buy a microfiber towel to take up as little space as possible. 

69. Sarong – and to take up even less space, take a sarong. I bought a sarong in the Philippines a few years ago now and have used it for pretty much anything. It’s great for washing your hair and then wrapping in to dry it off. 

70. Bandana – you definitely needed one of these at Coachella festival. The dust from the desert was just horrific. If you’re going to a dusty, desert environment then make sure you pack a bandana to go over you mouth. Of course you can also use it over your head and round your neck too.

71. Duct tape – if you’re taking a trolley (recommended) then duct tape will help you keep everything together when it comes to leaving. Also, it can patch up the tent, fix things, and a whole host of other uses I can’t think of right now. It’s a great thing to bring to festivals. 

FAQ about how to pack for a festival

Festival checklist, in short

Absolute festival essentials

• Your ticket
• Money and bank card
• Medication
• Driving license
• Parking ticket
• Your phone and chargers

Last minute tips for your festival packing checklist

First step is to look at the weather for the weekend to give you an idea of what you need to include. If there’s any sign of rain, get those wellies packed! Choose some good quality ones that you know are comfy. I’ve been to Glastonbury when it was an absolute washout and people without wellies were sliding all over the place in the Glasto mud! 

Now work your way up, if you need wellies then you need some good thick welly socks as you’re going to be walking round all day. Pack some jeans that fit in your wellies for if it’s cold, and then some shorts to go with the wellies if it’s warm. Ideally both so you’re prepared. I’d also strongly recommend ladies packing leggings and tights as they’re easy to carry out with you during the day to stay warm at night under your shorts. 

Then of course, underwear. Nothing like a fresh pair at a festival! Pack extra to stay fresh. 

When it comes to tops, you need to think in layers at festivals and take some extra ones in your day bag. A strappy top doesn’t take up much space but smuggling it on under your top as it starts to get cold is like a warm hug – and you’ll thank me later. Whether you like to dress up or dress practically at festivals, always carry an extra layer for emergencies. Beanies are a great way to keep some heat in, too. 

Some festivals will have clothes stalls, but you don’t want to rely on them so make sure you pack well. They’re a novelty, rather than something to count on. 

When it comes to holding it all during the day, I’d recommend a bum bag and a rucksack. It’s really handy to have your bumbag for your phone, money and lip balm festival essentials within easy reach, while you can put your layers and bottles of water in your rucksack. The rucksack also doubles up for a great pillow, if the ground isn’t wet. If it is, carry some plastic bags with you, or groundsheets so you can sit down around the festival without getting filthy. 

Pack some flannels, or eco friendly face wipes to stay clean, a hairbrush, your dry shampoo and some biodegradable glitter too. Finally, this is the time to go for it with colourful eye shadows and fun temporary tattoos and transfers too. Express yourself!