Your first music festival is a rite of passage for a music lover. A festival is a surreal experience – the most connected you will ever be to your favourite artists and fellow fans.
But despite the magic, a lot can go wrong, too. Lousy weather, heat exhaustion, lost luggage and more can throw you for a loop and completely kill your vibe. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be that way.
Here, we’ll catch you up on how to make your first music festival one to remember for all the right reasons.
The Planning Phase
Buy festival and travel tickets as soon as you can to avoid price hikes by secondhand sellers. Arrange for any rental cars or shuttles to go to and from the festival.
Spare yourself the stress of rental car mishaps, medical emergencies or trip cancellations by getting a quote for travel insurance. That way, if anything doesn’t go according to plan and you end up with lost luggage, you’ll be able to maintain support at your travel destination via your insurance provider.
And then there’s your packing process. In much the same way as buying your festival tickets and sorting out insurance cover early, you’ll want to make sure you’re packing well ahead of time and not just the night before – just so you know you’ll have everything you need. Be sure to also pack comfortable clothes and shoes that fit the festival’s vibe – butterfly tops for a dance festival, cowboy boots for a country music bash, or band T-shirts for a metal event.
Festival Survival 101
Hydration and Nutrition
The adrenaline rush of your first festival can override your basic instincts to eat or drink. Don’t let it!
Most festivals take place in the heat of summer, with the sun beating down on you as you dance the day away. This can cause dangerous dehydration.
Whether you bring a reusable water bottle or chug an over-priced electrolyte drink, staying hydrated is non-negotiable.
If you’re staying in a tent, pack more than enough food for the duration of the festival and keep it safely stored in a cooler with ice.
Otherwise, keep at least $50 cash on hand to buy food from festival vendors.
Staying Safe
Festivals are often full of good energy and caring communities, but that doesn’t mean you should let down your guard.
While some say your phone is a distraction at a festival, it will be your greatest tool as a first-timer. Share your location with your friends at the festival and with at least one trusted person who isn’t there.
Bring power banks to ensure your phone stays charged so you can check for your friends’ locations or call them if you get lost. In the worst-case scenario, pre-plan a designated meeting place if you and your friends get separated.
Don’t accept food or drink from strangers – you never know what they may have spiked their own water bottles with. Keep an eye on your drink, ideally writing your name on it with a marker to avoid grabbing the wrong one or missing someone slipping something inside.
Finally, don’t forget your sunscreen lest you be burnt to a crisp by the festival’s end.
Proper Etiquette
When you’re at your first music festival, don’t forget that you play a role in helping others have fun, too. Don’t shove to the front of the stage, and try your best to respect others’ personal space.
It may be acceptable to join in a moshpit or other crowd activities, but always keep yourself and others safe when participating.
Finally, as tempting as it may be to throw a gift to your favourite artist while they’re on stage, just don’t. It puts the musician at risk and makes the experience less pleasant for everyone.
Accommodation and Camping
If you’re attending a festival and camping on-site, get ready for an unforgettable experience. Especially if you’re planning to stay in a wild party campground.
These sites are where the action happens. Expect a lively atmosphere with music, dancing and a crowd looking to make the most of the vibes.
Campsites are crowded, so bring a high-quality, weatherproof tent big enough for your gear. An air mattress or foam pad is essential for comfort. The ground is a hard place to rest after a night of dancing.
You’ll also want to pack a tarp or groundsheet for extra protection from the elements.
Don’t forget your camp stove or portable cooking gear for meals, plus a cooler with ice packs to keep food fresh. Food vendors can be expensive and lines can be long.
For the bathroom situation, be ready for shared, basic facilities. Think portable toilets and communal showers, so pack sanitising wipes, toilet paper and hand sanitiser.
If you’re booking nearby accommodation, do it well in advance, as rooms can sell out fast. Look for places with easy access to the festival site to save time on travel.
Personal Hygiene
Whether you’re at Coachella in the Californian desert or an Australian bush doof, spending a weekend outside with thousands of people and potentially no showers can make you feel a bit uncomfortable.
Fortunately, with a few essential items, you can feel a little bit fresher throughout the festival. Bring extra water bottles for brushing your teeth and splashing your face, baby wipes for quick ‘baths’, and, of course, deodorant and dry shampoo.
You’ll feel better, and your tent-mates will also thank you for your efforts.
Post-Festival Recovery
It’s not unusual to have the post-festival blues, especially after an exhilarating first-time experience. Physical care is key to feeling better. Rest, stretch sore muscles, take a hot shower, and nourish your body with healthy food and plenty of water.
Keep the memories alive by going through your pictures, videos, and social media stories, compiling them into a private album or highlight reel you can enjoy as time passes.
Best of all, you can start planning your next festival!
Ready to Rock Your First Festival
Attending your first festival is an experience like no other, full of music, energy and moments that stay with you long after the final set.
To make the most of it, being prepared is everything. You’ll want to show up with enough essentials to survive on your own. From stocking up on hydration and snacks to having cash ready for those random festival treats.
And if you’re camping, think less “sleeping in a cosy bed” and more “navigating late-night dance parties and making new friends under the stars.”
Respect the vibe. Be sure to stay safe and look out for each other.
When the music fades, and the dust settles, you can set your sights on your next festival adventure because this one? It’s just the beginning.