The rock festival has been a staple of the British summer for decades, and it’s something that many people look forward to immensely all year round. It hardly matters who’s going to be performing; for many, it’s more about the fun of the atmosphere, getting away with friends, and being able to feel free and enjoy yourself with like-minded people.
One thing that could ruin an otherwise amazing rock festival experience is the packing. From the stress of packing in the first place to worrying that you haven’t brought everything you need to find that that is the case and you either have to do without or leave the festival to purchase whatever it is you need, it can all add up to a big worry that you just don’t want if that sounds like something you might have to contend with, read on for a checklist of how to pack for your next rock festival.
Nighttime Comfort
One of the worth things that can happen is that you are having a wonderful time at the rock festival, only to discover that, as night falls, you have nowhere to sleep. You’ll be cold, miserable, and too tired the next day to enjoy anything. That’s why packing your nighttime comfort items is crucial. These would include:
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Mattress
- Headphones to block out the sound
- An eye mask to block out the light
- An extra blanket
- A torch
This is the bare minimum that you need to pack – if you want any other home comforts, you must think about them well in advance and ensure you have what you need. If you can get a good night’s sleep, you’ll have a much better time at the festival.
Daytime Comfort
Your daytime comfort is just as important as your nighttime comfort; no one can dance non-stop, and you’ll need to have a rest at some point; plus, the sun can be dangerous, and you’ll need to protect yourself. Daytime comfort items could include sunglasses such as those mentioned in this ultimate travel pack from CashLady. It could also include:
- A foldable chair
- Sunshade (a parasol, a sunhat, or whatever else helps you to stay protected from the UV rays)
- Refillable water bottles – there should be refill stations all around the festival for you to use as and when you need to
Hygiene
According to Driven By Health, hygiene at music festivals is lacking, and coming home only to be unwell is not too uncommon. No one wants that, which is why packing various items to help with hygiene is crucial. Wet wipes are fantastic as they mean you can clean your hands quickly (and can act as a way to wash the rest of your body, too) but try to buy biodegradable ones as the standard ones are a terrible pollutant. Hand sanitiser is also always useful and small enough to slip into a pocket or bag and use it when you feel the need.
As well as keeping your hands clean as much as possible, you’ll want to smell reasonably good. No one expects everyone at a rock festival to be one hundred percent clean, but a small roll-on deodorant, a toothbrush and toothpaste, and a hairbrush should be easy to pack and will make you feel a little fresher.
Header image by Global Stomping. Source: flickr. Used under license CC BY-SA 2.0.
