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A festival is a long day in the sun. You'll spend hours outdoors, often with little shade, and bright sun, dust and glare can leave you with sore eyes and a pounding headache by the time the headliner plays. The right pair of sunglasses fixes all of that, and it finishes off your outfit.
This guide has been refreshed for 2026/27. We cover how to choose a pair, then give you our top picks with a clear reason for each one and an Amazon US link for each.
Why you need sunglasses at festivals
Festivals are mostly outdoors, and South African summers have a very high UV index. Long exposure to UV rays can cause photokeratitis (a painful sunburn of the eye) in the short term, and it adds to the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration over many years.
Sunglasses also cut glare and squinting, which means less eye strain and fewer headaches. At dusty events such as AfrikaBurn, they also keep grit out of your eyes. See our AfrikaBurn survival tips for more on dust.
How to choose festival sunglasses
UV protection: This is the one thing that matters most. Look for lenses labelled UV400 or 100% protection against UVA and UVB. A dark lens without UV protection is worse than none, because it opens your pupils and lets in more harmful light.
Lens category: Look for category 3 lenses, which are dark enough for bright sun. Category 4 is too dark for driving, and lighter lenses are better for dusk.
Lens colour: Grey, green and brown lenses are good all-rounders. Grey keeps colours natural, and brown boosts contrast. Mirrored lenses cut more glare but look flashy.
Polarisation: Polarised lenses reduce glare from water and shiny surfaces, which is a bonus at a beach or lake festival. They can make some phone and digital screens look dim or patchy, so test yours.
Fit and security: You'll be dancing, so choose a pair that stays put. Look for a snug fit, grippy nose pads or a retainer strap. A frame you can afford to lose or sit on is a smart choice for a festival.
Protection and carry: Bring a hard case so they survive your bag. A cheap spare pair is a good backup, because sunglasses are easy to lose or break at a festival.
Ray-Ban Aviator Classic
Why we picked it: It's the classic festival shape, it suits almost every face, and the lenses give reliable UV protection in a lightweight metal frame.
You can't go wrong with the Ray-Ban Aviator. The teardrop lens covers a lot of your eye area, the metal frame is light, and the look goes with any outfit.
There are many lens and frame combinations, including polarised and mirrored options, so you can choose the one that suits you. They aren't the cheapest, so keep them in a case when you're not wearing them.
Pick it if: you want a timeless pair that looks good in photos.
Skip it if: you want something you won't worry about losing in a crowd.
Check the price on Amazon US
Goodr OG Polarised Sunglasses
Why we picked it: They're cheap enough to take anywhere, they grip your face when you dance, and they offer polarised lenses with UV protection.
Goodr sunglasses were designed for running, so they have a no-slip, no-bounce fit that works well when you're moving. They're available in many bright colours that suit festival outfits.
At this price you won't panic if you lose them, which makes them the best pair to take into a crowd or a mosh pit. They have polarised lenses and UV protection.
Pick it if: you want something affordable and secure that you can happily lose.
Skip it if: you want a premium, high-quality frame.
Check the price on Amazon US
Oakley Holbrook
Why we picked it: Oakley's lenses are known for sharp clarity and strong protection, and the sturdy frame will survive years of festivals.
The Oakley Holbrook is a square-ish frame with a sporty edge, and it's tougher than most fashion sunglasses. The lenses have excellent optical clarity and block 100% of UV.
It's available with polarised Prizm lenses that boost contrast, so colours and stage lights look vivid. It costs more than budget pairs, but it's built to last.
Pick it if: you want durable, sharp-looking lenses that handle hard use.
Skip it if: you'd rather spend less on something you might lose.
Check the price on Amazon US
Persol 649
Why we picked it: It's a stylish Italian classic from the 1950s with a flexible arm system, so it's comfortable for long days.
The Persol 649 has a vintage look that pairs well with live music and open skies. The Meflecto system makes the arms flex, so they fit comfortably and stay on.
It's a pricey pair, so it's better for people who want a sunglasses investment than for a muddy field. Keep it in its case when you're not wearing it.
Pick it if: you want a vintage look and comfortable fit.
Skip it if: you're heading to a rough camping festival.
Check the price on Amazon US
Randolph Engineering Aviator
Why we picked it: It was originally made for the US military, so it's built to take punishment and has bayonet arms that stay put while you dance.
Randolph Engineering is known for its tough, precision-made aviators. The bayonet temples hook behind your ears, so the sunglasses stay on even when you're moving a lot.
The lenses give excellent UV protection and the build quality is far above most fashion pairs. It's not cheap, but it's a pair you'll own for years.
Pick it if: you want a tough, secure aviator that will last.
Skip it if: you want a bold fashion statement or a low price.
Check the price on Amazon US
Oliver Peoples
Why we picked it: It's a premium brand with beautiful design and top-quality lenses, for people who want their sunglasses to feel special.
Oliver Peoples makes refined, retro-inspired frames with excellent craftsmanship. The lenses give the UV protection you'd expect, and the design suits a stylish festival outfit.
It's the most expensive pick here, so it's best kept for events where you know the pair is safe, such as a boutique festival, and kept in its case between sets.
Pick it if: you want a luxury pair for special occasions.
Skip it if: you're going to a muddy or crowded festival.
Check the price on Amazon US
MessyWeekend
Why we picked it: This Danish brand gives you stylish, affordable frames made with recycled materials, so it's a good fashion pick that won't hurt your budget.
MessyWeekend has a simple Scandinavian look and a broad range of fun, eye-catching shapes that suit festival outfits. The sunglasses are light and comfortable.
It's also known for using recycled materials and eco-friendly packaging, which is a plus if sustainability matters to you. Check each listing for UV400 protection before you buy.
Pick it if: you want fashionable frames at a friendly price.
Skip it if: you want maximum durability for rough use.
Check the price on Amazon US
Buying in South Africa: prices on this page are approximate US dollar figures and will move. Branded sunglasses are widely sold locally by optometrists, department stores and online retailers, and you avoid shipping, VAT and import costs, so compare local prices first. Also check that the lenses are labelled UV400, whatever the brand.
Festival ready? Protect your hearing with our guide to the best earplugs for festivals, pack smart with the ultimate festival checklist, then plan your trip with the best psytrance festivals and the best techno festivals in Europe.
FAQ
Do I really need sunglasses at a festival?
Yes. You'll be outdoors for hours with little shade, and UV rays can damage your eyes. Sunglasses also reduce glare and strain, so you feel better for longer.
What does UV400 mean?
UV400 means the lenses block all light with a wavelength up to 400 nanometres, which covers UVA and UVB. It's the label to look for, whatever the price of the sunglasses.
Are polarised lenses better for festivals?
They cut glare, which is helpful near water or on shiny surfaces. They can make some phone and digital screens look dim, so test yours, and they're not essential for protection.
What lens colour is best?
Grey, green and brown lenses are good all-rounders. Grey keeps colours true and brown boosts contrast. Yellow and orange lenses help in dim light but aren't right for bright sun.
How do I stop losing my sunglasses?
Choose a snug pair, use a retainer strap, and keep them in a hard case when you're not wearing them. Many people bring a cheap spare pair as a backup.
Are cheap sunglasses safe?
They can be, as long as the label states UV400 or 100% UVA and UVB protection. Be careful with unbranded pairs and street-stall sunglasses, since some have no real protection.
Can I wear sunglasses after sunset?
Sunglasses are for the sun, so take them off after dark. Dark lenses at night reduce your vision and make it easy to trip, so switch to clear or light lenses if you need eye protection from dust.
