A must-have festival, a field trip to the Lost and Forest

A very good celebration The equipment, of course, depends on the festival you are going to, the weather, the accommodation, and many other factors. But as a festival veteran, I’ve tried enough gear (and made enough mistakes) to have a solid idea of ​​how to prevent blisters, dehydration, a dead phone, and other common pitfalls. You’ll find my top picks below.

Be sure to check out our other shopping tips, including Best Tentsand Best Sleeping Bagsand Best Bluetooth Speakers.

Updated July 2026: I’ve updated this guide with refreshed options and a new look. I have also checked the prices and accuracy throughout.

The best electrolytes

These electrolytes are my favorite, and I especially like them at festivals because the amount is so good that it helps with hydration when you’re hot and sweaty. And the flavors are delicious, too, so I can serve them to my team and know they’ll love them. Hydration is very important in preventing fainting and “flu,” and this combination can help you.” Also, the packs do not take up much space in your purse or pocket.

The Best Outdoor Blanket

I don’t have to try a blanket from Rumpl that I don’t like. They are easy to transport and unpack, and most have enough room for several people. They also have little hooks to turn the blanket into a cape, which is great if it’s cold at camp but you’re not ready to sleep. It is also easy to clean, whether it is covered with dust or grass or White Claw.

For one or two people only, this little blanket he is perfect. It’s thin, so it’s good for summer or as an accessory.

My Favorite Bank

I don’t know what it is about festivals that seems to make my phone die twice as fast, but it’s a universal law at this point. (It’s possible that the lack of a cell phone means that my phone only scans for a signal; read our instructions how to save battery life here.) Or maybe it’s just too hot in my bag. In any case, a high-powered power bank charger is very useful. This Anker Power bank it’s not the thinnest or lightest, but it runs fast and can load multiple devices per charge. Added bonus: You won’t overpay for the payment lock. I bring two of the four-day festivals and they hold my phone, speaker, Apple Watch, and other essentials at all times. You may also want a MagSafe power bank round as a backup, although I prefer to use a large brick.

Find a Devoted Friend

The Totem Compass designed with celebrations in mind. It uses satellites and its own mesh network to allow you to find your friends without a cell phone or Wi-Fi. No more thumbing through your text messages or waving your phone in the air trying to get a signal. Once these trackers are installed, you will be able to easily go to a group of friends, just by looking down and walking based on their light color. Setup is a little difficult, and battery life can be long. You’ll also need a way to charge them overnight during a multi-day camping trip (the power bank I recommended above is another option). But it worked reliably for my friends and I to stay away from each other, and I felt safe going there alone with some protection. And yes, they look cool when you’re dancing, which doesn’t hurt.

My Earplugs Are Going

The Loop Experience 2 is my favorite pair of earrings everything. It’s part of my everyday carry-on, made easy with the right bag. They protect your ears without interfering with sound, and they look amazing enough to help my friends know I’m wearing them so they don’t try to talk to me at the dance. I like the way the case opens, so I don’t rush to open the metal case in a crowd.

Bright Glass

If you are not staying in a hotel (or if you are but your room is small), stained glass is a very important part of the arrangement. I take it Fancii Abigail and me to every celebration. Having a starting point helps a lot with fancy makeup or braided hairstyles, and the light is bright enough that you can see what you’re doing, even if you’re getting ready in a tent. It’s big enough to give you the full picture, but small enough to fit in your backpack or duffel bag, even if you’re a heavy packer like me. Make sure you don’t break any rules about glass in the area. I also like that it gives me a place to put the random stickers I’ve been given.

Camping stove

There are tons of large camp stovesbut this MSR stove is my favorite for festivals, because I usually don’t make enough food (although I have used it well to heat up a skillet and make a whole steak meal). Most of the time my site is just hot water for coffee (speaking of coffee, we have a guide to solid French press right here) or heat the food we cook at home. The PocketRocket 2 folds over oil cans and burns everything quickly. When our team got lost on a race track in Ohio, we whipped out this stove and made coffee in the trunk of our truck. It’s very compact and lightweight – so my only gripe is that I struggle to find it between festival trips.

Full Sofa

This folding sofa is clutch if you don’t mind moving around while carrying it. These days, I keep my on-person carry to a minimum, so I tend to only use one if I have a stroller that I can stow away when not in use. Fully satisfied, it can help one or three people (if everyone is fine and healthy). When there’s limited seating, or you’re on your third day with two more days to go, a reclining sofa can give you some rest with little effort. I also love that it comes in fun colors. Make sure you know your place – if you’re at a music festival, it’s bad manners to set up a sofa in the crowd. Instead, think about the comfort and place of listening.

About tips: A fold hand fan makes inflation easier if you don’t want to rush to fill the sofa with air (yes, that’s how you breathe). It’s cheaper to buy one of these in advance than from a vendor at a festival.

Sun protection

This soft sun hat is easy to pack and bring, as it folds up, but still retains its shape to protect your head. It’s the perfect size to protect your skin, forehead, and neck without feeling too tired or covering up too much to look beautiful. It’s flexible, too; I like to alternate between brown and beige depending on the weather outside and which go well with my outfit. — Says Farrell

If you love sunscreen, I love everything I’ve tried on vacation, and this big jar is perfect for camping. It has enough coverage for me and my friends, and absorbs quickly without feeling greasy or sticky.

More Festival Ideas I Recommend

Fun, But Not Necessary

Photo: Louryn Strampe

Tools for making Kandi: Selling bracelets is a symbol of electronic music, but thanks to Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, fans of many genres of music are joining in. Any beads will work, but I highly recommend it. Stretch Magic elastic-cheap items are easily damaged.