Music Festival Survival Guide

Will You Get Out Alive?

Music festivals are full of excitement, energy and chicks in bikinis, but there’s a lot more you need to bring than just a ticket, cash and your ID. Our music festival survival guide gives you the inside info from people who have been there!

Without the proper precautions, however, your ticket to freedom can easily turn into heat exhaustion, getting stuck without a way home, or worse! Since festivals often last anywhere from 10 hours to a whole week in some cases, preparing for a great time is crucial to a positive experience.

Planning Your Festival

Whether you’re attending Electric Zoo 2011, Identity Festival, BPM in Playa del Carmen for New Year’s or Ultra Music Festival in Miami next March, here are some planning tips to get the most bang for your buck:

Pre-Festival

1. Know how you’re getting there and back.

• If arriving by car, be sure to have a reliable designated driver!
• Package bus deals are often available through different promoters or student groups at nearby colleges.
• Check the festival’s website to see if public and other forms of transportation are available.
• Investigate parking options. Know if your ticket includes parking.

2. If the festival is far from home, consider booking a hotel room.

3. Some festivals allow camping. Give it a shot if you’re feeling adventurous!
4. Check the weather forecast: keep your eyes out for rain!

At the Festival

1. Take note of where you parked! It might be difficult later.
2. Pick a designated meeting spot in case you get separated from your friends.
3. If the festival ground has lockers, consider getting one.
4. Avoid deep-fried and heavy foods, especially if it’s hot outside.
5. Be respectful of the environment by properly disposing of waste.

6. Stay hydrated – drink water!
7. Dance, take pictures, make new friends, and have fun!

Post-Festival

1. Don’t miss your carpool / bus / flight / boat / whatever!
2. Don’t wander off.
3. Share!

• Your friends who didn’t go will definitely want to hear about your experience!
• Upload pictures and video clips on Facebook and tag everyone you can!

 

Checklist: What to Bring

Be sure to cross-reference this list with the festival’s official rules. Some items might not be allowed.

Essentials

• Your official ticket
• A state or federally issued identification card
• Cash — vendors often don’t take credit cards and ATMs are often sparse
• Cell phone — fully charged and with texting… it’s gonna be loud!

  

 Must Haves

• Drawstring bag or small backpack
• 2-4 factory-sealed water bottles
• Food
  • Best bets: apples, oranges, dried fruit, nuts, granola bars, and PB&J!
  • Anything that doesn’t melt, bruise easily, or rot in the heat.
• Clothes and shoes that can get messed up
• Light-colored hat
• Sunglasses + protective case
• Sunscreen
• Wear anti-perspirant deodorant
• Digital camera + extra battery
• Small bottle of hand sanitizer
• Portable pack of tissues (doubles as toilet paper)
• Extra t-shirt
• Condoms… you never know!
• If the festival permits overnight camping:
  • Tent, sleeping bag, personal hygiene items, extra clothes, food, cooking supplies, and an assortment of sturdy padlocks

• If the forecast is calling for rain:
  • Ziploc bags for cell phone, camera, and wallet
  • Portable rain poncho

Nice to Have

• Extra cell phone battery
• Bandana or surgical mask (for dust)
• 3D fireworks glasses for lasers
• Small blanket or towel
• Extra stogs

For the Ride Back

• Change of clothes
• Extra sandals or comfy shoes
• Cooler with fresh fruit and other refreshments

Don’t Bring

• Large backpacks
• Glass bottles or cans
• Professional cameras and recording devices
• Expensive jewelry you might lose
• Clothes you’d hate to see get ruined

Above all the info we’ve provided in this music festival survival guide, there is one thing everyone needs no matter what… Positive thoughts! Leave your sh*t at the door!