19 Great Ways to Stay Warm at Night at Festivals
Read on for some top tips on how to stay warm at night at festivals. From layering up lightly before you leave the tent, to all the essentials you’ll need when you’re back in it – here’s how to make sure you’re warm and cosy despite what the weather throws at you.
When you’re at an outdoor music festival, it can be hard to stay warm at night, especially if the weather turns bad. If the wind and rain comes in, you want to make sure you have a plan to cope with it, and to stay warm and dry, somehow.
After years of festivals, and increment weather, here are my top tips on what to wear to festivals to stay warm through the night.
Useful Tips To Stay Warm At Festivals
Avoid hypothermia, or at least a chill, with these top tips for staying warm festival style.
1. Bring a poncho or raincoat
This is an obvious one, but it’s worth mentioning. Bring a poncho or raincoat to keep yourself dry if you know there is a chance of rain. Even if it doesn’t rain, these can be great for sitting on wet grass or if you end up in a mud puddle.
It could be worth investing in a really good raincoat like this North Face one so you don’t get hot and sweaty underneath, and it works well to keep the rain off. Wet clothes are NOT fun at festivals.
2. Wear layers
Wearing layers is always a good idea when you’re going to be outside for an extended period of time. If you get too warm, you can take layers off, but it’s hard to add layers once you’re already cold. Start with a base layer of long underwear, then add a sweater and a jacket as your festival essentials. You can also bring a scarf and hat to keep your head and neck warm.
3. Wear waterproof shoes
Waterproof boots will keep your feet warm and dry. Even if you’re not wearing boots, wear some type of footwear that covers your toes – check out this post on the best footwear for festivals for more info.
Also, your feet are one of your most vulnerable parts when it comes to staying warm in a sleeping bag so make sure you bring some extra thick socks for the night.
4. Use a sleeping bag liner
A sleeping bag liner is a great way to add some extra warmth to your sleeping bag. It’s essentially a thin sheet that you put inside your sleeping bag. Some are made of fleece or down, which will really help to trap in the heat. They’re basically like sheets for your sleeping bag, and they can make all of the difference when it comes to staying warm.
5. Drink warm liquid
Drinking warm liquids before bed will help to raise your body temperature and make it easier for you to fall asleep. Hot chocolate is a good option. Just a note to say though, I would never do this at a festival as I’d be too scared of needing the toilet!
6. Take hand warmers
Yeah, like the ones you have when you go skiing. You can activate and then put in your pockets to help keep your hands warm. They’re great for when you’re standing in line for something and you’re really cold. These are great for keeping warm at ski festivals.
7. Find a friend
Cuddling up with a friend is a great way to stay warm. If you can find someone who’s willing to share their body heat, you’ll be in good shape. Just make sure they’re okay with it first!
8. Get up and move
If you’re feeling cold, one of the best things you can do is to get up and move around. Walking around will help get your blood flowing and make you feel warmer. If you’re really cold, you can try doing some jumping jacks or running in place. Or, seeing as you’re at a festival – dance!
9. Stay hydrated
Dehydration can lead to hypothermia, so make sure you stay hydrated. It’s tempting to drink as much alcohol as possible when you’re outside all day, but you must stay hydrated with water. Alcohol also causes your body temperature to drop, and you don’t want that in the evening at a festival!
10. Pack an emergency umbrella, hat, and gloves
Umbrellas are great for keeping the rain off your face, hats keep your head warm, and gloves will keep your hands warm if it’s too cold in your sleeping bag.
Useful Tips To Stay Warm At Night In The Tent
It can be hard to stay warm while you’re in your tent, but here are some tips on how you can do just that. Here are some of my favourite tips for staying warm at night while you’re in your tent.
11. Buy the right kit
If you’re serious about camping at festivals, then you need to make sure you have the right gear. This means buying a tent that can withstand bad weather, investing in a good sleeping bag, and maybe even packing extra blankets. You could also invest in some thermal underwear to keep your body warm.
12. Choose your pitching location wisely
When you’re setting up your tent, make sure you choose your location wisely. You want to find a spot that’s out of the wind and not in a low-lying area where cold air can pool. If you can, try to find a spot that’s sheltered by trees or other large objects. But absolutely definitely not where you think people will go for an al fresco wee.
13. Insulate your tent
One way to stay warm in your tent is to insulate it. You can do this by using a groundsheet or tarp to create an extra barrier between you and the cold ground. You can also use blankets or sleeping bags to insulate the walls of your tent. An electric blanket could help too.
14. Dress in layers
One of the best ways to stay warm is to dress in layers when you’re sleeping too. You should start with a base layer of thermal underwear, followed by a few layers of clothing. If you get too warm, you can always take a layer off. It’s also important to wear a hat and gloves to keep your extremities warm.
15. Eat before bed
Eating a big meal before you go to bed will help keep your body warm throughout the night. If you’re feeling really cold, you can also drink a hot beverage before bed. Just make sure you don’t eat or drink too much, as you don’t want to wake up in the middle of the night needing to use the toilet.
16. Be as close to other people as possible
If you’re in a three-person tent or sleeping bag, try sleeping right next to each other rather than spreading out all over. Your body heat will warm up your tent mates, and they’ll warm you up in return. Also, staying near other people means that if there is an emergency, such as someone breaking into your tent or someone lighting fires near where you are camping, it will be easier for others nearby to help keep you safe.
17. Bring an extra blanket
A blanket can be used for a lot of things. You can use it as an extra layer, put it over your sleeping bag to help trap in the heat, or use it to make a makeshift pillow. If you’re really cold, you can even put it over your head to help keep your body heat from escaping.
18. Use hand and foot warmers
If you’re really struggling to stay warm, you can use hand and foot warmers. These are little packets that you can activate and then put in your gloves or boots to help keep your extremities warm. You can usually find them at sporting goods stores or online.
19. Bring a pee bottle
This one is mainly for women, but it can also be helpful for men. If you have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, you can use a pee bottle instead of leaving your warm sleeping bag. Just make sure you don’t leave it in your tent, as the smell will be pretty bad when you get back in.
Staying warm at festivals
Staying warm at festivals in the night can be a challenge. With the right gear and some preparation, you can make sure that you stay comfortable at festivals, and keep warm all night long. By following these tips, you’ll be sure to stay warm at night while camping or attending a festival. Good luck and have fun!