The Essential Checklist of Festival Camping Accessories
Festival camping is a whole different game compared to wilderness camping. You’re surrounded by music, crowds, and non-stop energy—but you still need to be prepared. Whether you’re a first-timer figuring out what to pack or a seasoned festi-vet, here’s the must-have festival gear to keep your campsite comfortable, organized, and fun.
Festival camping is a whole different game compared to wilderness camping. You’re surrounded by music, crowds, and non-stop energy—but you still need to be prepared. Whether you’re a first-timer figuring out what to pack or a seasoned festi-vet, here’s the must-have festival gear to keep your campsite comfortable, organized, and fun.
The “Perfect for Everything” Blanket from Rumpl
We’re obsessed with the Rumpl Puffy Blanket. Made from the same high-performance materials as premium sleeping bags and puffy jackets, it comes in both synthetic and down versions. It’s water-resistant, ripstop, and resists dirt, odors, pet hair, beer spills, and greasy hands. Use it as a picnic blanket, a cozy wrap for late-night sets, or an emergency layer when the temperature drops. It packs down into its own stuff sack and comes in a variety of colors—Festi Fade is the obvious festival choice.
Light Up the Darkness
After glow sticks, the top lighting accessory for any festival camp is
solar-powered LED string lights. They’re cheap, easy to find, and available in countless colors and shapes. Run them through the loops of your tent to create ambient light and prevent late-night wanderers from tripping over your guy lines.
Pro Tip! Put them in blink mode to make your tent an unmistakable meeting spot for friends who inevitably forget where they pitched camp after a mind-blowing set.
Water Is Life
Hydration is non-negotiable. Keep a large water bottle at camp and bring a 5L+ jerry can for refills. Many festivals offer free potable water, so carry a collapsible water bottle with a carabiner (like the Platypus). Most venues allow them if they’re empty upon entry.
Coozie with Neck Strap
It might be “alternative facts,” but we’ll say it anyway—most unfinished drinks are lost because they’re set down and forgotten. Keep your beverage cold and close with a coozie on a neck strap—hands-free and spill-free.
Ice, Ice Baby
Nothing beats a cold drink under the summer sun. Yeti coolers are the gold standard, but if you don’t want to splurge, you can extend the life of a cheaper cooler by adding a block of dry ice (never touch it with bare skin).
Welcome Mat
Not a metaphor—an actual mat at your tent’s entrance. It encourages shoe removal before entering and spares your tent floor from dirt. It also helps avoid the awkward “tent yoga” of removing shoes while balancing on one foot.
Festival Buddy
You can’t buy one, but you can bring one. A festival buddy shares costs, gear, and keeps an eye on you. Sure, you’ll meet new people, but BYOBuddy is always a solid plan.
Shoes Required (Socks Recommended)
Beware of hippy foot—a blackened sole caused by dirt packed into bare or sandal-wearing feet during days of dancing. Covered, supportive shoes are your best defense. Keep sandals back at camp for maximum post-show comfort.
Festival Essentials Checklist
Before you go, make sure you’ve got the basics:
- Tent – Try the Mouflon or Sibley 300 or 400 Traveller
- Sleeping Bag & Pad
- Shelter for Rain & Sun – Canvas Shelter
- Headlamp
- Baby Wipes
- Water Bottle
- Sunglasses (Croakies optional)
- Sunscreen
- Good Shoes (see “hippy foot” warning)
- Rain Jacket
- Pocket Paper – Name, campsite location, and your festival buddy’s contact info
- Tickets to the Show
Want more festival tips? Read our guide on How to Choose the Perfect Festival Camping Tent and explore our full range of festival-ready tents to make your next music festival camping experience unforgettable.
