Edit this list, have fun, stay safe! Cheers from adventurehart.com!
Basics:
Cell Phone
Charger
Extra battery (your phone WILL die)
I.D.
Keys (keep a spare behind your license plate, or with a trustworthy friend)
Cash
Credit/Debit Card (for emergencies - consider keeping in your vehicle or a locker)
Medical ID (if you require special medical treatment, be sure to keep a tag or note on your person explaining it.
Accidents happen, so keep yourself safe. Be sure to inform your friends of your needs, too.)
Ticket (Go Green! Find out if there is a mobile option)
Map/Directions/GPS (don’t forget to update the maps on your GPS. Summertime = Construction Time)
Clothing:
Weather says it’s gonna be hot? Bring a sweatshirt. Gonna be dry all weekend? Prepare for a flood.
Anything can happen at a music festival, so prepare for everything!
Underwear and socks + extras
Warm gloves
Long pants
Shorts
Dress/Skirt (optional, but good to get a nice breeze. This goes for you too, boys!)
T-Shirt
Tank top/Crop top
Swim suit (good for when you need to take a hippie shower)
Onesie (great for sleeping and nighttime wanders)
Sweatshirt and/or coat
Leggings or long underwear (for cold nights)
Rain Jacket/Trash Bag/Poncho
Sunglasses (the cheap kind...high risk of breaking)
Sun hat (take this seriously, you will WANT it)
Bandana (for the dust. PRO TIP: wet the bandana first to make breathing easier)
Pashmina (a scarf to cover your head and mouth, also keeps you warm at night)
Costume (at least one. Save the rest for last to make sure you have room)
Jewelry/Accessories (keep in mind there’s a high chance you could lose them, so don’t bring anything you can’t
bear to be without)
Shoes:
Chacos or similar (something with a back, but tennis shoes are way too hot IMO)
Sandals (these will probably break, consider bringing a spare pair)
Rain Boots (or plastic bags taped around your feet)
Personal Items:
Towel
Ear Plugs (protect your hearing! Consider investing in a nice pair that won’t ruin sound quality)
Ear plug case (they make great keychain ones so you don’t lose them)
Face Mask (to sleep in when the sun comes up)
Sunblock (reapply every hour & remind your friends)
Bug Spray
Chapstick (your friends will probably ask to borrow it at some point. Consider bringing two. Also doubles as tent
zipper lube)
Watch (your phone will die, but the show must go on)
Deodorant (please...Wook or not...wear deodorant)
Shampoo/Conditioner (if you plan on showering. Make sure it is environmentally friendly!)
Toilet paper (the bathrooms will run out)
Baby wipes (good for showering and cleaning yourself + around camp)
PRO TIP: Carry TP and/or Baby Wipes in a small Ziploc bag. When the bathroom runs out, you’ll be good.
Glasses + contacts, solution + extra contacts (if you wear em’)
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Condoms (better safe than sorry)
Tweezers and nail clippers
Baby Powder (apply between legs to avoid chafing. Also works as a dry shampoo)
Diaper ointment (don’t underestimate the chafing)
Febreeze (your clothes and tent will probably smell bad by day two. Also helps avoid the infamous “after festival car
foot smell”)
Hand Sanitizer (carry this with the TP)
Q-tips
Make-Up (face paint, glitter, mascara)
Jewels
Spirit Gum
PRO TIP: Use scrapbooking jewels to decorate yourself. Just apply them with Spirit Gum and they’ll stay on all day)
Make-up remover wipes
Fragrance (or, just embrace your smell!)
Lotion
Mirror
Hairbrush (I like the kind that folds up with a mirror build in)
Face wash (see below)
Body wash (baking soda works great for you and your dishes, and is environmentally friendly. Doubles as a
deodorizer, and helps settle your stomach)
Hair Ties/Bobby Pins (many different uses: tie things closed, hang a flashlight from your canopy, bowl poker - worth
having.)
Razor (highly optional, but if you already shave day three could mean a very itchy situation “down there” unless you
apply liberal amounts of baby powder)
Ladies:
Bra and Sports Bra
Tampons/Pads* (if you don’t already use panty liners daily, consider doing it during the fest. There’s nothing like a
fresh pair midday without having to switch undies)
(*Personally, I prefer a tampon, but these are better for the environment. Might as well try for Mother Nature, right?
Keep in mind there is no sink to wash it out in the porta-potty - but you must clean it regularly or risk getting an
infection)
pStyle (I swear by this thing. No more squatting to pee, to more fearful crouching over a disgusting porta-potty when
already too wobbly to stand. Wipe it off with a baby wipe/hand sanitizer once you’re done, place in plastic bag, good
to go.)
p-mate (if holding onto your peeing device grosses you out, but you want to pee standing up, these are a disposable
version of the pStyle)
First Aid:
Pick up a basic first aid kit or make your own. There will be a medic on site, but it’s better if you never have to make
that visit! Should AT LEAST include:
Prescription Meds (keep these in an easily accessible baggie with your prescription note. Pills should match the
description on the container, otherwise security might confiscate them...or worse.)
Vitamins (5-htp, vitamin C are great to have)
Band-Aids
Antibiotic
Antiseptic Wipes
Aspirin
Burn cream
Allergy medicine
Space Blanket (great for cold nights. Bonus: looks awesome with LED lights & doubles as canopy decor)
Roller Bandage
Sterile Gauze
Cough Drops (you’ll yell a lot)
Eye drops
Nasal Spray
Tums
Imodium
Aloe
Camping:
Tent (set this up BEFORE you leave. You need to make sure all the pieces are there and there or no rips or broken
parts)
Extra tent stakes (your friends will thank you)
Canopy (for you and your friends to hang out away from the sun)
Tapestries (decorate your camp, gain some privacy and block the sun)
Trash bags (designate a trash bag and recycling bag. I find it helps to make a large sign to differentiate the
two...because nobody wants to look in the bad to check which one it is.)
Ziploc bags (waterproof your phone, hold snacks/small knickknacks, holds cigarette butts until you find a trash can)
Grocery bags (great for holding dirty clothes among MANY other things. Make sure they stay contained so they don’t
blow away and get left behind)
Head lamp or flashlight
Sleeping bag (consider a double sleeping bag if you sleep with a partner)
Pillow
Blankets (it gets COLD at night. Keep an extra in the car)
Air mattress (the ground is HARD)
Air Pump
Tarp (for sitting, blocking sun and further waterproofing your tent)
Lantern
Camel pack
Pocket knife
String
Clips (to hang things. Also good for writing positive/funny messages and clipping them onto people when they aren’t
looking)
Duct Tape and Super glue
Hammer (for tent stakes)
“Ground” blanket (concert-watching is tiring, bring a blanket you’re not afraid of ruining)
Inflatable chair/couch (these have gotten super popular, and are SO comfortable to have during a show)
Camp chair
Camp table
Hammock (hammock naps are the best)
Ash tray
Small, sturdy, flat surface (for rolling things up and breaking things down)
Camp stove (propane is best)
Extra propane
Cooking utensils (tongs, knife, fork, spatula, skewers)
Pan (I always bring my wok)
Camp swag (pack light, bring more once you know you have room)
Camp marker (something that stands out in the night and above all other tents. Think flag, kite, glowsticks, etc.)
Lighters (they will get stolen, so bring more than one. Consider buying a lighter leash or pouch, which are often sold
at festivals)
Battery powered fan (tents are painfully hot in the morning)
Tent lock (unfortunately, things do get stolen)
Portable music player (although I find the ambience of the surrounding festival is better than a playlist I can listen to
at home)
Neon flags or solar lights (mark the spots where your tent and canopy ties down to avoid tripping at night)
Zip-ties
Sponge
Stain removal pen
Wrinkle release spray
Scissors
Extra batteries
Portable shower* (highly optional, but you have to pay at least $5 to take a shower there, and the lines are LONG)
Plastic bin (to hold everything)
Wagon (if it is not car camping. Carrying your stuff to a prime location is NOT fun)
Water (for cooking and cleaning)
Straws (they’re great when you don’t wanna lift your head to drink water. Also, you can cut the straws into smaller
pieces to make a cleaner alternative to a rolled-up dollar bill)
Biodegradable soap (again, baking soda works fine)
Cooler (the ice will melt, and it is outrageously expensive at the fest FYI)
Paper Towels
Plates
Cups
Eating utensils
Kettle
Food:
Remember: the ice WILL melt.
Snacks for the road (esp. if it is a long drive, you will get hungry and/or bored)
Pre-made sandwich (when you get there, you will be super busy carrying stuff in and setting up camp. This
sandwich will be a lifesaver)
Ice
Ketchup/Mustard (basic condiments)
Salt & Pepper (plus your other fav. spices)
Hot sauce
Butter
Sandwich bread
Lunch meat
Cheese slices (grilled cheese = festi staple)
PB & J
Nuts
Stir-fry ingredients (beef, peppers, onion, etc. Very easy to make)
Pre-cut veggies + dip
Liquor/Beer (no glass)
Gatorade (or powdered energy drinks)
Mixers (and extra to drink straight. Bring the makings for Bloody Marys and Mimosas, trust me)
Granola Bars/Trail Mix/Protein Bars
Candy (think hard candy like jolly ranchers. I like to buy a huge bag and keep some in my person to hand out to
friends I meet - great ice breaker.)
Soda-pop (ideally, you would only drink water at a fest. However, a can of soda can REALLY hit the spot if you
already drink it. Be sure you drink a glass of water after though, or risk dehydration1)
Gum
Beef jerky/String Cheese
Oil
Fruit
Party food (to share, like chips)
Bacon
Instant coffee/Hot chocolate
Water (Burning Man recommends at least 1.5 gallons of drinking water per person per day. I highly suggest you
follow that advice.)
[20] Canned goods* (for festivals that give out posters in exchange for 20 cans. Keep in mind, it is A LOT of work
getting your cans from your car to the poster tent...so heavy...so hot)
For the car:
Jumper cables
Extra clothes (in case it rains, you lose some, the drive home, etc.)
Extra blankets
Extra ID
Credit card
Charger
Extra water
Gas can with gas (I’ve seen MANY people run out at the fest. Be sure you stop to fill your tank before you enter the
festival)
Proof of insurance
Car mattress (personally, I love sleeping in my car. They make mattresses designed to fit in your backseat, so if
you’re like me, you might want to look into it)
Art/stuff obtained at the fest (your posters and artwork should go straight to your car or you risk them getting ruined
or stolen.)
Other:
Secret stash wallet (they make wallets into all sorts of things, like ones that attach to the inside of your bra or the
inside of your pants. Good for money and party supplies)
Drug-testing kit (ALWAYS test your drugs, no matter how trustworthy the person may seem. Also, keep in mind that
testing your drugs does not mean they are safe. Keep yourself educated, listen to your body and look out for your
friends)
Gifts (stuff to trade for other stuff, or just things to give away in the spirit of music festivals!)
Flask
Frisbee
Small pack (fanny packs work great)
Camera + extra batteries (wind-up cameras are nostalgic and awesome. DSLR cameras are great, too, but many
places won’t let you in with those unless you have a media pass...so hide it well)
Flow toy (hula hoop, poi, orbital, staff)
Rage stick (helps identify your group in a crowd. Be mindful of those around you, though, as rage sticks can block
the view of the stage)
Notepad and pen (for mind wandering, meditation, drawing, etc. Consider bringing crayons or colored pencils, too.)
Body paint
Umbrella (for rain and sun)
Extra costumes (wings, sequins, headpieces, etc.)
Toys/games (bop-it, cards, yo-yo, silly putty are all awesome. I always bring a hand puppet - good for anxiety ridden
mates, plus they’re hella cute)
Smoking device (make sure it’s clean until you get there, and it’s one you don’t mind ditching after the festival is
done)
Business cards (easy way to keep connected with new friends - fests are awesome networking events)
Feathers
Bongos/instrument (you’ll be feeling creative)
Spray bottle (while it is fun, keep in mind that not everybody wants to be sprayed...you just never know what
somebody might have put in it. Keep it to yourself or ask first before spraying someone else)
Temporary tattoos
More glitter
Dog treats (there are dogs at fests that would love the treat. Just be sure to approach the owner first. Keep in mind
that you should NEVER distract a working dog from their owner)
Hookah + tongs (keep in mind most places don’t allow glass, so if you want it, you’ll have to sneak it in)
Coals and shisha
Cigarette tobacco and rolling paper (much cheaper than buying a pack of cigarettes
Rolling tool (faster and easier than hand rolling for some)
Blunts
Tips:
•Remove all excess packaging before you arrive at the festival to cut down on potential trash you might leave behind.
•Pack out what you pack in. All festivals should be leave no trace events, and it’s up to us to make that happen.
•Set a meet-up point with your group of friends so if you or someone else gets lost you always know where to look to
get back together. Also, it’s nice to designate a spot in the concert viewing area where your friends can go to if they’re
looking to meet up (like to the right of the soundboard, or next to the speakers on the left of the stage, etc.
•If you plan on taking drugs, inform at least one other person. Use the buddy system, and look out for one another.
Drug use will always pose a dangerous risk, but there are steps you can take to make yourself and others safer.
•Drink lots of water, and remind your friends to do the same. Be sure to get plenty of sleep, as that can also have a
detrimental effect on your health in already strenuous conditions.
•Plan a daily schedule on a piece of paper separate from your booklet or mobile app. It’s much easier to refer to when
you have your plans lined up, and your phone might die.
•Don’t stick to your schedule like it’s your job. Stay lose, have fun, and go with it. Don’t be upset if you miss someone
you wanted to see - it’s bound to happen.
•Go watch an artist you’ve never heard of or attend a workshop. You never know, you might discover a new favorite.
Take the time to just explore.
•Keep in mind that festivals ARE physically exhausting. Eat well, get plenty of sleep, and be sure to exercise at least
a little in the time leading up to a festival. Your safety matters, and we all care about you.
•The organization DanceSafe provides free drug-testing services and educational material on drugs and drug use. If
you see a bright yellow canopy in the vendor area, that is probably them. They also have an app, so consider
downloading that for more safety tips and emergency information.
•If you run into someone incredibly anxious, try to help comfort them or seek assistance from someone who can help.
Do NOT judge them - leave the scolding to AFTER the episode is done if you must get your opinion out. Use a
calming voice, provide “safety blankets” or other comforting items and offer water regularly.
•If a person is having a particularly rough time, are having difficulty breathing or become unresponsive, seek medical
help
IMMEDIATELY. The Good Samaritan Law offers legal protection for those who attempt to get reasonable assistance
to someone in need. This law varies between jurisdictions, but you should never allow fear to keep you from doing
the right thing. If you’re unsure what the law is at the festival you’re at or in the area you live in, contact DanceSafe for
more information.