The essentials not to forget when you head to a festival

Festival season is in full swing, and that's why we're offering you a (non-exhaustive) check-list of essential items not to forget so you can enjoy your festival with complete peace of mind!

Between the long days spent watching concerts, nights under the tent, and any unexpected weather events, forgetting an important item can quickly ruin your stay. So, before you pack your bag, take a few minutes to make sure you have everything you need.

Your ticket and essential documents

It may seem obvious, but every year, many festival-goers arrive on site having forgotten their ticket or their ID. Before leaving, make sure you have:

- Your printed ticket and downloaded on your smartphone. The best option is to have both: if your phone runs out of battery (especially on the last day), you'll always have a backup solution

- A valid ID (and your driving licence if you're going by car!)

- Your bank card and/or some cash if you need to go shopping (generally speaking, most festivals now use cashless payment, which allows you to avoid traveling with too much cash on you)

Your camping gear

If you're sleeping at the festival campsite, the tent is obviously essential! Prioritize:

- A model that's easy to transport and relatively simple to set up

- A size suited to the number of people (or if you'd like a bit more space, you can opt for an extra spot to put your belongings so you're not too cramped)

- Extra tent pegs and guy ropes (you never know!)

Even after a day at over 30°C, temperatures can drop quickly during the night.

That's why we recommend opting for a good sleeping bag, and above all, a good insulating mattress! The key is to have equipment suited to the nighttime temperatures of the region. If you don't have an insulating mattress, you can always opt for a ground mat to insulate your mattress from the cold!

Finally, don't forget your pillow for a more comfortable night's sleep.

Clothing suited to all conditions

The weather is often unpredictable. We can only advise you to pack light clothing (and a change of clothes) for the festival day, but also at least a pair of jeans and a cardigan (or a light jacket) for the evenings, which are often cooler. Also, remember to bring a cap or a hat, as well as a raincoat / poncho in case the weather changes!

Comfortable shoes

Believe it or not, a festival is quite a workout! You spend hours and hours on your feet and, most importantly, you walk an enormous number of steps every day! So opt for a comfortable pair of shoes that you've already worn before. Avoid new shoes: blisters can quickly turn your weekend into a real ordeal…

A power bank (external battery)

Because your phone will never last several days without being charged at least once, don't hesitate to bring a power bank with you, which will definitely be useful if you often take photos / videos or if you want to make sure you have enough battery for the journey home!

A first aid kit

Even though festivals have first aid facilities, it's always useful to carry a small first aid kit containing bandages / compresses, disinfectant, your medication if you're on a treatment, or hand sanitizer and mosquito repellent. These small accessories take up little space but can clearly come in handy.

Other essentials not to forget

- A toiletry bag and a towel

- Wet wipes if you want a quick freshen-up

- Earplugs for concerts (because it's important to take care of your hearing!)

- An appropriate sunscreen — especially during heatwaves, SPF 50 sunscreen is ESSENTIAL!

- A small backpack or a bum bag to keep the essentials on you during concerts

- Sunglasses

- A torch or headlamp, useful when you need to head back to the campsite and can't see a thing inside your tent

- A bin bag or a waterproof storage bag to put your belongings that might be damp on the day of departure

- A camping chair for more comfort at your campsite

And if you're in a band and you're playing at the festival, above all don't forget, in addition to your gear, to bring your Merch with you, because yes, we know it happens often and it's a shame when you think about how important that income is for an indie band! Remember to bring enough t-shirts, sweatshirts, CDs, vinyls, goodies... A festival is often a great opportunity to introduce your project to a new audience and make great sales at your Merch stand. Better to anticipate your stock than to see it sell out too fast! This article, "How to sell your Merch effectively at concerts" might come in handy, so don't hesitate to take a few minutes to read it!

As you've gathered, going to a festival is no walk in the park! To make the most of your festival, it's important to bring everything that might come in useful, especially if the festival venue is far away and you don't have the option to pop to a nearby shop if you forget something. 

We hope this non-exhaustive check-list has been helpful! And if you think of an essential item we may have missed, don't hesitate to share it: a good check-list always gets better thanks to the experiences of festival-goers!