6. Refuel.
You work hard and you deserve to play hard! Nothing should get in the way of you jamming out to your favorite band while sipping on a cold beer, but you can’t go an entire weekend just living off alcohol (or you shouldn’t). Be sure to keep yourself fed. Drinking on an empty stomach can be incredibly dangerous. The good thing is most festivals have food trucks and vendors all festival goers can dine at. If you have a break in between performances, be sure to refuel with some water and food or snacks.
7. Check the weather.
Weather is unpredictable, but it doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared. It’s really important to check the weather before you head out to a music festival for several reasons. One being you’ll want to make sure you’ve dressed accordingly. For example, you’ll probably opt for some shorts and a crop top in 90-degree weather, but if it’s looking like it might rain you’ll opt for some old shoes you don’t care for or even a pair of rain boots. You can even pack an umbrella and/or wear some rain boots to avoid losing shoes to layers of mud if it does in fact rain. Additionally, rain might affect your commute and you’ll want to make sure you have a backup plan. Whatever the case may be, check the weather so you can prepare adequately.
8. Stay vigilant.
Never leave your stuff unattended, no matter how free-spirited and amazing the environment or atmosphere might be. Always keep your wallet and personal belongings in your bag or on you at all times. It only takes a second to lose your keys, wallet, cell phone or other personal items. If you’re with a group of friends, ask someone to watch your stuff, even if you’re only leaving for a quick minute. Experiencing theft is the quickest way to put a damper on your festival experience.
9. Sunscreen. Sunscreen. Sunscreen.
It can be easy to forget about sunscreen when you’re having the time of your life, but you’ll be doing yourself a favor when you don’t show up to work on Monday looking like a lobster. Sunscreen should be worn every day, and your music festival experience is no exception. Don’t underestimate those cloudy days either–you can still catch a really nasty burn during a less-than-sunny day. Be sure to reapply sunscreen to your face and all exposed body parts throughout the day. Also, did you know sunscreen can help fight wrinkles? Bet you’ll remember sunscreen next time!
10. Toiletries.
There’s a good chance that you will have to use the portable restrooms at some point. Thousands of people will also be using those same portable restrooms. While it isn’t the most glorious activity, it is part of the experience and you’ll want to be prepared for it. Be sure to pack wet wipes, hand sanitizer and your own supply of toilet paper. The supplies are pretty self-explanatory and incredibly useful.