There’s nothing quite like waking up in a tent, dust on your face, dancefloor still ringing in your ears, ready to do it all again. But a great festival weekend starts with what’s in your bag. Whether you’re heading to Universo Paralello, Ozora, Origin, or your local bush doof, this checklist covers everything experienced festival-goers pack – organized so you’re not scrambling in the dark for your headlamp on night one.
Shelter & Sleep
Your tent is your home base for the weekend – so this should be your priority. Rest is important at any festival that runs for more than 24 hours.
- Tent — Look for something quick to pitch (you’ll often be setting up tired, possibly after a long drive), with good ventilation for hot climates and a solid rainfly for the ones that aren’t. A 2-person tent for solo campers gives you room for gear. Shop festival tents →
- Sleeping pad or self-inflating mattress — Ground is hard and often uneven. This is the single most underrated comfort upgrade for festival sleep. Shop inflatable mattress →
- Sleeping bag or liner — Match it to the festival’s climate. Desert and mountain festivals get surprisingly cold at night even when days are scorching. Shop sleeping bags →
- Pillow (inflatable or compressible) — Small luxury, big difference.
- Earplugs — Not just for the dancefloor. Soft foam for sleeping, high-fidelity filtered ones for the stage so you protect your hearing without losing the sound quality. Read our full breakdown of the best festival earplugs.
- Tarp or shade structure — For your camp area during the day; festivals in Africa, Brazil, and southern Europe get brutal midday sun. Shop shade tarps →
- Duct tape & tent repair kit — Guy lines snap, poles bend, groundsheets tear. Small kit, huge relief. Shop repair kits →
Power & Tech
Multi-day festivals mean multi-day power problems, especially if you’re camping off-grid.
- Power bank (high-capacity, 20,000mAh+) — For your phone, camera, and headlamp. Solar-charging options are worth it for week-long festivals. I personally love an Anker powerbank with built-in USB-C cable. Shop power banks →
- Portable power station — For anyone running a fan, string lights, or charging multiple devices across a whole camp group. Shop power stations →
- Headlamp (hands-free is non-negotiable) — Plus spare batteries or a rechargeable one with a power bank pairing. Might look dorky but worth it. Shop headlamps →
- Waterproof phone pouch / dry bag — Dust, rain, spilled drinks — your phone needs protection either way. Shop dry bags →
Eyes, Ears & Skin Protection
- Sunglasses — proper UV-protective ones, not the $2 festival-stall kind. Your eyes take a beating over multiple days of sun and dust. Read our guide on choosing the right festival sunglasses.
- Dust mask or buff/bandana — Dry, dusty festival grounds (Universo Paralello‘s playa-like dust is infamous) make this essential, not optional. Shop dust masks & buffs →
- Sunscreen (high SPF, sweat and dance resistant) — Reapply more than you think you need to. I use ocean friendly sunscreen since I’m sometimes swimming at festivals in the ocean or river. Shop sunscreen →
- Aloe vera or after-sun gel — For the inevitable one day you forget to reapply.
- Lip balm with SPF
Hydration & Health
- Hydration pack or reusable water bottle — Insulated bottles keep water drinkable in desert heat. Many festivals ban single-use plastic and only allow refillable bottles in. Shop hydration packs & bottles →
- Electrolyte tablets or rehydration salts — Dancing for hours in the heat burns through more than water; electrolytes matter as much as sunscreen. This will keep your muscles from aching and give you fuel to make it through the party. Shop electrolytes →
- Basic first-aid kit — Blister plasters, antihistamines, pain relief, rehydration sachets, any personal medication. Shop first-aid kits →
- Hand sanitizer & wet wipes — Festival bathroom reality check.
- Earplug case — So you don’t lose them on day one (worth repeating).
Comfort & Camp Life
- Comfortable, broken-in footwear — Closed shoes (recommend Hoka shoes) or boots for dancing and dusty walks; sandals for camp downtime. Blisters end weekends early.
- Camp chair (compact/foldable) — For the hours between sets when you just need to sit. Just don’t bring it near the dance floor! Shop camp chairs →
- Cooler bag / insulated bag — For camp food and drinks if car camping is allowed. Shop cooler bags →
- Bin bags — For rubbish and for keeping muddy/dusty gear separate from clean clothes on the way home.
- Portable Bluetooth speaker — For the camp pre-game before you head to the main stage. Just don’t piss if your camping neighbors. Can’t go wrong with the JBL speaker range. Shop portable speakers →
Rave Wear & Extras
- Layers — Light, breathable clothing for the day; a warm layer (hoodie, jacket) for cold desert or mountain nights.
- A dedicated “dance outfit” bag — Keep your festival fits separate and dust-free until you need them.
- Glow/LED accessories — Optional, but a nightly favorite for a lot of the psy crowd. Shop glow gear →
- Cash in a small pouch or fanny pack — Many festival vendors and market stalls are cash-only, and card readers die when the signal does. Shop fanny packs →
Quick-Grab Checklist
Shelter: Tent · Sleeping pad · Sleeping bag · Pillow · Tarp · Repair kit
Power: Power bank · Power station · Headlamp · Dry bag
Protection: Sunglasses · Dust mask/buff · Sunscreen · Aloe gel · Lip balm
Health: Water bottle/hydration pack · Electrolytes · First-aid kit · Wet wipes
Comfort: Footwear · Camp chair · Cooler bag · Multi-tool · Bin bags
Extras: Layers · Outfit bag · Cash pouch · Speaker
Before you pack, sort your accommodation first – check out our festival calendar and accommodation map to find the closest camping, glamping, or nearby stays for your event.