The Ultimate Music Festival Camping Guide: Gear, Checklist & Tips

If you’re off to a weekend music festival in the UK or further afield this year, this guide will help you with everything you need to know about camping at a music festival!

Summer wouldn’t be summer for me without a weekend of partying in the sun, drinking beers with my best friends whilst watching some awesome bands. I’ve been going to music festivals in the UK and abroad every year since my first Download Festival as a teenager (the pandemic break doesn’t count), and I’m a regular at 2000Trees. Despite getting older, I still couldn’t imagine a year where I didn’t go to one.

If you’re heading off to your first camping festival this summer, I’ve thrown all my very best festival camping advice into this (lengthy) guide – including camping essentials, what to pack for a music festival, and general tips to have the best time ever.

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Before You Go: Choosing Your Festival Tent

Having a decent tent is incredibly important when camping, and you’ll want something that can withstand the elements. As regular festival-goers, my boyfriend and I invested in a Quechua 4 Person Tent with blackout material, which cost us £200. But you don’t need to spend that much for your first festival! Trail do a great range of affordable tents, and their Bracken range (in two-person or four-person sizes) makes a great festival tent.

These are the key things to consider when you’re choosing a festival tent:

Getting the right size tent

Tent sizing can be confusing, as most ‘one man’ tents literally just have enough room for one person, with minimal belongings. I always go by the following calculation: number of people sleeping in the tent x2 = actual size tent you need.

So, if you’re on your own, a 2-man tent should be enough for you and all your stuff. If you’re sharing with a partner/friend, I’d advise going for a 4-man tent.

I’d also recommend looking at tents with a porch, as it’s a great space to store muddy boots and crates of drink.

Tents and weather

Hopefully, all you’ll have to worry about during your festival weekend is applying sunscreen. But you can’t always rely on the weather, especially if you’re camping at a festival in the UK. Making sure your tent is able to withstand rain and wind will make your festival experience much more comfortable if the sky decides to open up.

When you’re buying a tent for a music festival, always go for a ‘double skinned’ one. They have an inside layer as well as an outer cover, meaning it’s a lot less likely you’ll end up with a cold shower in your tent if it rains.

Look for the hydrostatic head too. The higher the figure, the more waterproof your tent will be. 2000mm is a good figure to go for. Be wary of this when buying pop-up tents, although some are perfectly suitable in the rain, the smaller, cheaper variety tend to not hold up well in extreme conditions.

Should you invest in a blackout tent?

Honestly, my festival life upgraded MASSIVELY when I invested in a tent with blackout technology. A few years later, my friends are all buying them too.

Blackout tents use a fabric that diffuses light, meaning the inside of your tent is darker and the temperature is more regulated. Having spent years waking up in a sweat at 7am, it’s a total gamechanger to be able to sleep in later. I’m also pretty sure the inside of my tent doesn’t get as cold at night either.

Doing a tent practice run

Once you’ve bought your tent, it’s worth having a go at putting it up in your garden to save any last minute stress when you get to the festival. Follow the instructions with the tent, and practice a few times putting it up and down, you’ll be a tent pro in no time!

Before you leave for the festival, triple check you have the poles and enough tent pegs. Additional tent pegs are easy to buy online.

When the festival’s over and you’ve brought your tent back home, put it up again for at least an afternoon to air it out, and clean out any dust/grass/etc from the inside. Buying a decent tent and taking care of it means it’ll keep you warm and dry for years.

Before You Go: Sleeping & Other Camping Gear

Yep, people do sleep at festivals!

This section of the guide will cover all your other camping essentials (plus a luxury extra that we love to take with us!)

Sleeping bag or duvet?

This one’s down to personal preference and carrying space, but as someone who HATES feeling constricted when I sleep, I prefer to take a duvet. However, sleeping bags are usually much easier to transport in their bag, so if you’re limited on space, it might be a better option.

Choosing your sleeping bag

Try and get a ‘mummy’ style one if you can, with a hood. Even in the summer, temperatures at night can get cold, so consider a 3-4 season sleeping bag. You can always unzip it and use it like a duvet if you’re feeling too warm!

Take a sleeping mattress & inflatable pillow

Sleeping on the tent floor will be uncomfortable and cold, and you have two options. You can pick up a simple roll mat, or for maximum comfort, go for an inflatable airbed mattress. (If there’s no pump included with it, grab one of these too.)

Now I’m a bit more in need of comfort (aka: old), I actually take a proper pillow to festivals with me now. But if you’re low on space, an inflatable pillow will do the job.

Other useful camping equipment

Camping chair – to have something to sit on when you’re at camp
Mallet – for hammering in your tent pegs with ease, especially if the ground is hard.
Duct tape – a cheap roll of this comes in handy for fixing broken tents or boots
Earplugs – if you’re a light sleeper, these will help block out campsite noise
Eye mask –  to block out the early morning sun and get a longer lie-in
Bin liners – not just for keeping your campsite tidy, they’re also great for wrapping up wet and muddy boots and clothes on the journey home.
Collapsible water container – really helpful for having a constant supply of water for drinking/teeth brushing/handwashing at your tent.
Toilet roll – self explanatory.

Not an essential item, but we also take a cool box with us that we top up with ice from the festival shop, to keep our drinks cold all weekend!

Festival Camping tip: if you’re getting to the site by public transport, it’s worth looking into whether you can click and collect equipment on site. Fat Franks Camping shop offers this for Reading and Leeds, Download, Latitude and Bloodstock. Other festivals may have similar services which will be listed on their website, and most camping festivals will have an on-site camping shop if you forget anything!

Transporting your stuff

A good-sized, comfortable backpack is the ideal way to transport your belongings through the festival site to pitch up. Depending on your size, look in the range of 50-70L, and ideally one that comes with a rain cover.

As regular festival goers who drive to the site, we invested in this trolley to carry our stuff from the car. In the past, I’ve taken a smaller folding trolley to transport my belongings – but these can struggle in muddy conditions. If you’re using one, make sure not to overload it.

At some festivals, you’ll have to cover a fair distance from car park to campsite, but if you’re driving you can do multiple supply runs after you’ve taken in the essentials (tent, a can for when you’ve finished putting up your tent).

If you’re arriving by public transport, you’ll need to pack extra-light. With some careful packing, you should be able to manage the journey with a backpack, tent bag and sleeping bag. Sleeping bags can be attached to the straps of your backpack to make them easier to carry.

Festival camping tip: If you have accessibility needs, most festivals have designated facilities and will be able to advise you of your options.

Day Bag

You’ll also need a smaller bag to take to the festival arena with you in the daytime. I usually take a cross-body bag, with enough room for cash, phone, suncream, any other essentials. If you’re worried about getting cold, stash a cardigan and some leggings for when the weather gets colder. Backpacks are also a great option, as they won’t get in the way if you decide to rush into the moshpit.

Getting to the festival

Driving

Driving is likely the easiest way to get to the festival, and a road trip with friends is a fun way to get the weekend started!

Top tips for driving to a music festival:

• Make sure you have enough space in your car for all your gear!
• Drop by a supermarket on your way to pick up drinks and snacks for the weekend.
• Try to arrive and depart outside of peak times to avoid some of the traffic. We like to get there as early as possible on the first day, and be some of the first heading to the exit on departure morning.
• NEVER drink and drive. If you’re driving home Sunday or Monday morning, limit your drinking the previous day and make sure you get a proper night’s sleep. Putting yourselves and others at risk could ruin your weekend, and your life.
• Make sure you’ve got a hype playlist ready to drive to get you in the mood!

Train

Travelling by train to festivals is a popular option if you don’t have access to a car, but comes with more challenges than if you’re driving. You’ll need to be able to take everything you’ll need for the festival in one trip, so packing light is essential.

Most festivals offer shuttle bus services from the train station to the festival – book these in advance if you can. Or, if it’s not far, group together to get a taxi.

Coach

Most festivals in the UK offer coach services from major transport hubs directly to the festival site. Big Green Coach are the usual go-to for this. The big plus with these is that they drop you off straight at the festival gates. However, you’ll still need to pack light enough for one trip to the campsite.

What to pack for a camping festival: Clothes & Footwear

Festival outfits are a personal choice, and outfit planning can be a big part of the fun. Even if you end up wearing the same pair of shorts with a different band t-shirt each day. Festivals are a great place to show off your individual style, so wear what makes you feel good!

One thing to bear in mind is making sure you have the right clothing for the weather. Even if the forecast is sunny, it’s worth packing some warmer layers and a light foldable rain jacket.

Here are the essentials to pack to keep you comfortable whatever the weather:

Warm layers – even on a hot day, the temperature can drop at night. I always pack a couple of hoodies and some tracksuit bottoms for evenings. Some festivals, I’ll even throw in my Oodie…

Rain jacket/windbreaker – lightweight and easy to carry, essential for if the weather changes.

‘Tent Clothes’ – aka an absolute festival hack. I always have a clean t-shirt, tracksuit and dry underwear and socks that all stay in the tent, so I’ve always got something warm and dry to relax in.

Other things you might want to consider packing include: a cap to keep the sun off (and hide greasy hair), a beanie (for extra night-time warmth, and a swimsuit and flip-flops if you plan on using the showers.

Festival camping tip: Take a bin bag or carrier bag to keep dirty clothes separate from your clean ones in the tent.

Footwear at music festivals (will I need wellies?)

Honestly, I rarely take wellies to a festival. For a little bit of rain, I find a pair of sturdy high top boots do the job. I’ll usually wear my (fake) DMs to the festival, and take some trainers. However, if there’s a lot of rain in the lead-up or a downpour predicted, it might be worth investing in a pair of wellies.

Festival tip: When it comes to welly wearing – thick socks are your friend, unless you want annoying, painful blisters. Breaking any kind of new footwear in before the festival starts is also a great idea.

Aside from the weather, the main thing to think about when choosing footwear for a music festival is comfort. You’ll be on your feet for most of the day, so wear shoes you know you can walk around lots in. This could be your regular trainers, or a pair of sports trainers/hiking boots (my boyfriend swears by these for festivals). For extra comfort, look at picking up a pair of gel insoles.

What to pack for a camping festival: Toiletries

Again, this one’s down to personal preference as you might want to take your regular make-up and skincare favourites. However, there are some essential festival toiletries everyone should pack:

Sun Protection – really important, as we all know getting burnt is very bad! The sun can be pretty harsh at festivals with limited shade, so make sure you get a high enough factor and reapply regularly. I always take a miniature bottle to fit in my day bag when I’m watching bands.

SPF lip protection – lips are really prone to burning as they’re much thinner skin, so make sure you regularly use a lip balm with SPF protection.

Toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash – because grotty festival teeth are never okay! Travel toothbrushes with a cap are great, as they keep the brush clean and hygienic.

Baby wipes – a lifesaver for when you can’t get to the festival showers.

Face wipes – if you’re stumbling into your tent after an exhausting day of music and you don’t feel like a full skincare routine, face wipes are better than nothing.

Anti-Bacterial gel hand wash – there aren’t many sinks around at festivals, so getting some water-free handwash is essential.

Deodorant – a no brainer.

Dry shampoo – a lifesaver for greasy festival hair.

Mini shampoo, conditioner and shower gel – if you’re planning on visiting the festival showers.

Festival camping tip: Lots of festivals offer add-on packages for more premium toilets and showers, which often sell out before the festival – so look into these as early as possible.

Festival HAIR tip: Give your hair a really thorough wash the morning you leave, so it stays as clean as possible for as long as possible.

When you arrive: Choosing your camping spot

Congratulations! You’ve made your way to the festival with everything you need, and you’re through the gates with a shiny, fresh wristband on your arm! What’s next? Choosing where to camp!

Every festival site is different, but these are some good general tips to consider when you’re picking a camping spot:

• Arrive as early as you can to have the pick of camping spots!
• Head to the back of a camping field – most people will immediately stop and set up camp instead of walking a bit further. Yes, it’s further to walk with all your stuff, but you’ll benefit from having a bit more space around your tent!
• If you can, try and be relatively close to a path without being directly on a path. This way, you won’t have people stumbling onto your tent, but you won’t have to climb across a sea of tent ropes when you’re coming back in the dark.
• Avoid camping on a hill – if you have to, make sure the part of the tent where your head will be is at the highest point of the incline. Camping at the bottom of a hill is also something to avoid – if it rains, this’ll be the first point to get boggy.
• Avoid camping too close to the toilets and water stations. Just trust me on this one.
• Don’t camp too close to a hedge or fence – these sometimes become ‘second toilets’ by night…
• Try and find a landmark (a hub point, signs, campsite flags, etc) to help you find your way back to your tent. Larger festivals such as Glastonbury are absolutely HUGE, so get to know your surroundings before you go exploring.

Food and Drink at Music Festivals

Deciding what to eat at a music festival is all part of the fun! As festival food and drink can be VERY overpriced, so many people choose to take their own food and drinks into the campsite. There can be restrictions on what you can take into the arena itself so check the festival’s website for info.

I personally don’t bother taking cooking equipment, but if you’re looking to keep it super cheap by cooking your own food, there are options. Most festivals ban gas cookers, but a Solid Fuel Cooker can be a cheap and cheerful alternative. Again, check the website for more info on what’s allowed. On solid fuel cookers, you can heat up canned food or boil some water for a Pot Noodle, just remember to take a pan/kettle. And if you’re taking tinned food, don’t forget a tin opener.

Even if you’re not making your own meals, snacks are ideal for keeping you going throughout the day. Pringles, nuts, cereal bars and biscuits keep well, and tinned fruit is brilliant for filling up healthily.

Most festivals will have a campsite supermarket that you’ll be able to pick up additional food and drinks at. It comes at a slightly higher price than outside the festival, but cheaper than the food stalls. (The Download Co-Op is absolutely my happy place – meal deals are my daily lunch)

Most festivals have a good range of vegetarian and vegan options, and many release a full list of food vendors ahead of the festival so those with dietary requirements can plan ahead.

Staying safe at music festivals

Generally, festivals are really safe places to be. Like anywhere, there’ll be the odd troublemaker, but the vast majority of people are just like you, wanting to have a great time.

With this in mind, there are some basic safety tips for when you’re at a music festival:

• Familiarise yourself with the festival site, including the First Aid and Welfare points.
• If you’re splitting up from your group, arrange a meeting point in case phone signal is patchy. If you lose each other during the day, you’ll all know to head back to this point.
• Eat regularly and make sure you have plenty of carbs and protein.
• Stay hydrated! Bring a water bottle and refill it regularly at water points – and if you’re drinking alcohol, pace yourself throughout the day.
• Keep your belongings secure – I find a hip bag/bum bag across your front is the safest way to carry things. If I’m in a packed crowd, I’ll often put this underneath my clothes for extra security. Don’t leave anything you can’t afford to lose in your tent while it’s unoccupied, either.
• Avoid padlocking your tent. During the day, it makes your tent more of a target (criminals will simply slash the fabric), and at night, it’s a safety hazard in the unlikely event you need to make a quick escape.
• Keep any important items (phone, bank cards) close to you while sleeping. It’s VERY unlikely that someone will come into your tent at night, but make sure anything important isn’t left in the porch or close to the entrance
• If you encounter anyone who makes you feel uncomfortable, let someone know – whether that’s reporting inappropriate or threatening behaviour to security, or asking the people around you for support.
• Look out for your friends and others at the festival. Befriending your campsite neighbours is a great idea – as well as keeping an eye on your tent, you might make some great new friendships.

General tips for camping at a music festival

Check what you can bring

Different festivals may have different rules on what you can bring – for example, alcohol limits – so check the festival website before you plan your festival shop.

Valuables

Ideally, you shouldn’t take anything majorly valuable to a festival with you. I’ve thankfully never been a victim of theft at a music festival but it does happen and having your stuff stolen can really ruin your weekend.

Many festivals offer lockers, and if you have anything with you that you really don’t want to lose (car keys, medication), it might be worth investing. You could split a locker between a group of you to make this cheaper.

Phone charging at festivals

I always take a fully-charged power bank that will give me enough charge on my phone to get me through a weekend. Usually, an overnight charge will last me a whole day at a festival. Usually, I’ll keep my phone on Airplane Mode for most of the day, to use less battery.

If you get stuck, there’ll always be some kind of charging tent where you can give your phone some juice, for a fee.

Stage times

If you want to save money on buying a lanyard with the stage times lanyard, plan ahead. The Clashfinder website has the set times for much every festival you could go to. I always take a screenshot of my clashfinder, so I can access set times without needing signal. (Bear in mind that these times may change on the day if something doesn’t go to plan, so keep a look out for signage and announcements)

What to do at a music festival (other than watch music)

Quite obviously, you’ll want to be seeing your favourite bands do their wonderful music thing that they do. But there might be points where there’s a gap in bands you want to see. I really, really recommend checking out someone you’ve never heard of.

If it’s not your thing, you can move on and have a look around the various festival stalls. Or, if you’re at the type of festival that does them, try out a workshop. Art, theatre and craft sessions make a nice break and give you the chance to try something new!

At night, most festivals will have night-time activities like party tents, late night performances, silent discos, comedy sets and fairground rides. Or if you prefer to have a more chilled time at your campsite with your friends, that’s cool too!