Music festivals are a great way to see the artists you know and love all in one setting. They are also a great opportunity to network and make new friends. However, they can be a beast to navigate. Knowing what to expect at a music festival will help easy any anxiety you are feeling. This blog post will give you some tips on what to expect at a music festival, as well as some must-have items to bring with you. This information will help make your music festival experience an enjoyable one!

My music festival necessities:

Make sure you have these with you for a great experience day of:

• Ear plugs – for the band you’re listening to right next to the speaker
• Cell phone charger
• Fake sunscreen bottles (read on to see why)
• A clear bag – for easy screening when entering
• A jacket – it ALWAYS gets cold at night

Bring your own snacks and water:

Check your festival policy before doing this but you would be surprised how many festivals will actually let you bring this stuff in. Typically there are hydration stations all over the space. Bring an empty water bottle to refill throughout the day. Prime festival snacks for me are granola bars, dried fruit, Goldfish, and energy sticks (not a snack but still fit into this category). If you’re feeling bold, pack a sandwich and some chips to avoid long expensive food lines.

PRO TIP: Purchase these fake sunscreen bottles (they come with a funnel for easy pouring and add in whatever liquid you like. Usually, security will see sunscreen and move on. However, do this at your own risk.

Dress for comfort:

Something you can expect at a music festival is to walk… a lot. You will be doing a lot of walking at a music festival, so it is important to dress for comfort. Wear shoes that you can walk in for long periods of time. Combat boots are cute, but after 28,000 steps, They’re not so cute anymore. And avoid clothes that are too tight or restrictive. It is also a good idea to bring a hat or sunglasses. I rent my festival outfits that way I’m not spending a ton of money on clothes I might never wear again. Read the reviews to get the best fit for your body type!

Buy your tickets in advance:

This might sound obvious but, to save yourself a little bit of moo-la, buy your tickets on presale or as early as possible. This will also ensure that you get the tickets that you want, as they can sometimes sell out quickly. If you are planning on attending multiple days, look for ticket packages that offer discounts.

Select a meeting point on the festival grounds

This is so key otherwise you will spend the majority of your time looking for your friends. We hate that. Cell phone service is bound to be spotty with so many people in the same space. Establish a meeting ground and check-in times (typically in between sets) if you are not seeing all of the same bands together. On this same technology note, take screenshots of the music lineups and the festival grounds in case they can’t load on your phone.

Pick and share your lineup

My friend had this awesome idea to share the bands we wanted to see in a fantasy football league draft format. This way we had a hard copy (so to speak) of who would be where. This made it easy to establish who would be with whom during the day and what sets you would meet up for to see together.

If you see a line, it doesn’t mean you need to stand in it

What I mean by this is, festivals are flooded with people, and people tend to just follow the crowd a bit. Check your final destination before hopping into a two-hour line incase there is a quicker way to get what you’re after. Take my word on this, I’ve stood in a fake line or two just to find out people had been entering with ease the whole time.

Avoid drinking excessively:

Dude, I’m telling you, alcohol is fun, by dehydration is not. Pace yourself, drink your water, and eat your food. I’m all about a good time, but let’s set ourselves up for success on this. If alcohol isn’t your vibe try some delta 8 gummies. These are a new type of gummies that contains CBD and THC. They offer the benefits of both cannabinoids without the psychoactive effects of THC.

Use public transport:

If you are traveling to a music festival, consider using public transportation instead of driving. This will save you major money on parking costs. If your transportation requires a ticket, but that in advance to. Seriously, pre-pay for as much of this experience as you can. It will save you in the long run. Check out local trains, monorails, ride-shares, and other methods to make sure you find the one that fits your vibe.

Make new friends:

One of the best things about music festivals is meeting new people. Talk to the people around you and make some new friends. You never know; you might end up meeting someone who becomes a lifelong friend.

These are some great tips to help you save money and have a more enjoyable music festival experience. Follow these tips and make the most of your time at the festival!