Festivals can be amazing times, but they’re made better if you’re extra prepared before you go. Knowing what to pack and what to forgo can help keep the fun times rolling without the hassle of carrying around too much. If you’ve never been to a festival before, it helps to research what to expect ahead of time. To get you off on the right foot, here are some things you simply can’t go without at a festival.
Get information about the event
Make sure you have all of the necessary information before attending any event. For example, if you’re going to Kitchener-Oktoberfest, make sure you can acquire all the details about the event and sign up for additional activities. Join them on the web to learn about upcoming festivals in 2021! Stay tuned for more information on how to become involved!
Ticket and ID
It goes without saying that you won’t have any fun if you forget your ticket at home. Before you depart, double check that you have it and your ID.
Money
Bring plenty of money for the entire trip, cash or card. You might feel like you’re overcompensating when you start out, but you’ll thank yourself later when you find something you absolutely have to buy. Having extra cash on hand can be useful in case credit card machines aren’t available.
Camping Essentials
Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mattress, toiletries and extra toilet paper are always good to have. While there may be nice festival restroom trailers available on site, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Don’t forget a headlamp and camping chair too.
Electronics
There’s nothing worse than arriving at a destination only to realize you left your phone at home. Make sure that you have it and your charger, otherwise you might be a little lost at the festival. A festival may provide useful apps that you can download to navigate it, especially if it’s large, so don’t forget to check those out.
Clothes
Aside from the basics, you’ll want to prepare for every kind of weather. Nothing kills a festival more than not being able to participate because you don’t have a rain jacket. Be sure to include good walking shoes, waterproof boots (particularly helpful in muddy situations), a heavier jacket in case of cold weather, extra layers, a hat, sunglasses, extra socks, and a small backpack that you can carry around with you between events.
Being prepared for a festival means planning for the worst-case scenario, so don’t pack the night before. Think about it throughout the week so that you have time to remember things you may have left out. Plan meals in advance and bring plenty of food if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on festival food, which can be expensive. Once you’re ready, you can look forward to enjoying yourself.
