A festival is more than just music and celebrations – it is a multi-day adventure that requires good preparation. With the right Packing List for the Festival You can arrive relaxed and concentrate fully on celebrating. This article offers you a comprehensive Festival packing list, so that you do not forget anything important at the next open-air. From Basic tent equipment up to useful gadgets for Different weather conditions Here you will find out what is really indispensable.
Table of contents
Festival Packing List: Download PDF now
So that you do not forget anything when packing, we have prepared our festival packing list as a practical PDF for printing. Just print them out and grab what you’ve already packed.
Here is the packing list:
Money and Finance
The festival is not only about celebrating, but also about paying. At many festivals there are now card payments, but enough cash you should still have with you.
- Cash (best in smaller bills)
- EC card as backup
- Abdominal pocket or breast bag (proof of theft)
- Wallet (small and space-saving)
- Budget plan (how much do you want to spend maximum?)
At festivals, there are often no lockers for valuables, so a belly bag is a must-have to keep your money safe while celebrating and enjoying the music.
Hygiene
Hygiene is a real challenge at a multi-day festival. With the right hygiene items, you can stay clean and fresh despite limited possibilities.
- Towel (fast-drying)
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Shower gel and shampoo (small travel sizes)
- Deodorant (absolutely!)
- Wet wipes (worth gold when the showers are crowded)
- Toilet paper (because your own toilet paper is simply more hygienic)
- Hand disinfectants
- Sunscreen (waterproof)
Remember that you won’t always have access to clean sanitation when visiting a festival. Wet wipes and disinfectants are therefore indispensable on your packing list and help you to maintain a minimum level of hygiene even without a daily shower.
Clothing
Depending on the season and weather, you will need different pieces of clothing for your festival experience. Weatherproof clothing should definitely be there.
- T-shirts and tops (one per day + replacement)
- Warm sweater or hoodie for the evening hours
- Rain jacket (absolutely waterproof)
- Underwear and socks (prefer to pack a few more)
- Shorts/pants (at least two)
- Comfortable clothes for sleeping
- Headgear (against sun or rain)
- Sunglasses
Make sure you pack enough changing things, but don’t overdo it – you have to be able to carry everything. When packing, it is best to start with the basics and then supplement depending on the weather and festival duration.
Cooking / Grilling
Those who want to cook on the campsite themselves save money and are more independent of the often expensive festival food trucks.
- Gas cookers or camping cookers (if allowed at the festival)
- Pot and pan (light and space-saving)
- cutlery and tableware (preferably of plastic or stainless steel)
- Rinsing agents and sponges
- Lighters or matches
- Aluminum foil (usable in many ways)
- Grilled food (if grilling is allowed)
Inform yourself in time if gas cookers are allowed at your festival. A small camping stove is easy to transport and allows you to prepare hot meals – especially in the morning, hot coffee is worth gold!
Food / Drink
So that you are not only dependent on expensive food stalls on the festival grounds, you should take some durable food with you.
- Water and other drinks (depending on festival rules)
- Muesli bars and dried fruit (rapid energy dispensers)
- Canned ravioli and other canned products (stable)
- Bread and durable spreads
- Fruits such as apples and bananas
- Salty snacks
- Coffee or tea bags (if you need caffeine)
- Canned food and cooked fruit (long-keeping)
Think of foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner that require little refrigeration and are easy to prepare. Canned ravioli and other canned foods are not so popular with festival goers for nothing – they are durable, filling and quickly prepared.
Medications / Pharmacy
A small travel pharmacy must be on your festival packing list to be prepared for small emergencies.
- Plasters and dressings
- Pain medication
- Medication for diarrhea
- Allergy tablets
- Sun protection
- Mosquitoes
- Bladder patch (when running a lot)
- Ear plugs or oropax (for sleeping in the event of noise)
Oropax in particular is an absolute must-have at many festivals, as the noise often does not stop at night. With good earplugs you can find some peace despite party noise and wake up in the morning.
Papers and documents
Without the right documents, you may not even come to the festival site. These documents should always be at hand.
- Identity card
- Festival ticket (printed and digital)
- Health insurance card
- Copies of important documents
- Access information and location plan
- Emergency contact list
Keep your festival ticket well and take a picture of it as a precaution. So you can find it on your phone in an emergency, if the original is lost.
Backpacks and bags
The right bags make it easier for you to transport and organize your things.
- Large backpack or bag for arrival
- Daypack for on the festival site
- Belly bag for valuables
- Plastic bags for dirty laundry or garbage
- compression bag (to pack clothes in a space-saving manner)
A good backpack is one of the most important things on your packing list. It should be comfortable to wear and provide enough space for everything you need during the day at the festival.
Footwear
The right shoes can make the difference between a comfortable and a painful festival experience.
- Comfortable shoes to walk (well registered!)
- Rubber boots (especially for festivals known for mud)
- Flip-flops or bathcloths (for showers or hot days)
- Replacement shoelaces
Rubber boots are an absolute must at many festivals, especially if the terrain is known to become muddy in the rain. Comfortable shoes are essential as you will stand and walk a lot at a festival.
Other
These things do not fit into any special category, but they are still useful for your festival weekend.
- Sunscreen (at least LSF 30)
- Towels
- Powerbank (at least one, better two)
- Multiple socket (if electrical connection is provided)
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Umbrella
- Sun hat or cap
- Playing cards or small games for breaks
A good power bank is indispensable at almost every festival, as sockets are usually in short supply. So you can charge your phone and keep contact with your friends throughout the festival.
Technical equipment
With the right technical equipment, you can capture your festival experiences and stay in touch with others.
- Smartphone and charging cables
- Powerbank (at least one fully charged)
- Camera (if you want to take better photos than with your phone)
- Batteries
- Headphones
- Weatherproof bag or sleeve for electronics
- Clock (to keep track of time)
At a festival, a reliable power bank is worth gold – without electricity, you will quickly remain without communication. Therefore, pack a replacement power bank in order to be on the safe side.
Tents/Sleeping
For a relaxing night despite the hustle and bustle of the festival, you need the right equipment for sleeping and camping.
- Tent (waterproof and easy to build)
- Herrings and tent cords (whether or not substitutes)
- Sleeping Bag (warm enough for cool nights)
- Isomat or inflatable mat (for better sleeping comfort)
- Air bed (luxury variant, but more comfortable)
- Small pillow
- Earplugs/Oropax (absolutely indispensable!)
- Tent lamp or flashlight
A quality sleeping bag and a good mat make the difference between a restful night and a tired next day of the festival. Invest a little more in good sleep equipment – your body will thank you!
Festival Packing List for Women
In addition to the general things, there are some special articles for women that should be on the festival packing list.
- Menstrual products (even if no period is expected)
- Dry shampoo (saves the hairstyle without shower)
- Makeup remover wipes
- Hair bands or rubbers
- Smaller bag for hygiene products
- Moisturising cream
With dry shampoo and wet wipes, you can maintain a certain degree of freshness even without a regular shower. Especially at multi-day festivals a real lifesaver!
Tip: A detailed packing list for women only can be found here: Festival Packing List: Women Pack These Must-Haves.
Festival: Camping Packing List
For festival camping you need additional equipment that makes your stay on the campsite more pleasant.
- Camping chair
- Small table
- Sun protection (pavilion or tarp)
- Waste bags
- Rope and tape (for repairs)
- Camping utensils
- Cooling box (if possible)
- Hammer for herring
A small pavilion or tarp can serve as a common meeting point and offers shade or rain protection. With the festival camping equipment, it is worthwhile to combine with friends – not everyone has to bring everything.
On the following packing list you will find more useful lists if you want to camp: Camping Packing List: Checklist for Tent, Caravan & Bicycle Travel.
Festival Packing List in Rain
When the weather forecast announces rain, adjust your festival packing list accordingly.
- Rain jackets and trousers
- Rubber boots (required!)
- Watertight bags for electronics
- Additional changing clothes
- Plan for under the tent
- Towels for drying
- Garbage bags (multiple useable, also as rain protection)
- Waterproof mobile phone cover
In case of rain, a festival can quickly become muddy. With rubber boots you are prepared for this weather and can still have fun while others freeze in soaked sneakers.
3 Day Festival: Packing List
For a shorter festival of three days, you can reduce your packing list a bit and focus on the essentials.
- 3-4 complete outfits (including replacement)
- Smaller quantity of food
- Compact hygiene articles
- A pair of comfortable shoes + rubber boots in rain forecast
- Small tent (easy to build)
A three-day festival is relatively manageable. Pack just so much that you are ready for all eventualities, but not more than you can comfortably transport. Here: Less is often more!
For even more inspiration on what to pack in your backpack, check out here: Backpacking Packing List for World Travelers and Digital Nomads.
4 Day Festival: Packing List
For a longer festival, you should expand your packing list accordingly.
- 5-6 outfits (for different weather conditions)
- More food and drinks
- Extensive first aid equipment
- Possibly more stable/larger tent
- More Powerbanks or Solar Chargers
For a four-day festival, you should plan more generously, especially with food, drinks and hygiene products. The difference may seem small, but an extra day can be crucial in bad weather or the unforeseen.
Frequently asked questions about the packing list for the festival
How much cash should I take to the festival?
Plan around 30-50 euros per day for food, drinks and unforeseen expenses. It is better to have a little more cash on hand than too little, especially if card payment is not possible everywhere at the festival.
How do I keep my phone loaded during the festival?
Invest in a good high-capacity power bank or even two smaller ones. Use Airplane Mode when you don’t need your phone and turn it off at night to save battery.
How do I protect my valuables at the festival?
It is best to always carry important valuables such as money and mobile phone on your body, e.g. in a belly pocket. Don’t leave anything of value unattended in the tent, even if your friends are still there.
How do I pack as space-saving as possible for a festival?
Roll your clothes instead of folding them and use compression bags for larger textiles such as sleeping bags or towels. Pack things you want to leave in the tent, down in the backpack and what you need daily, up or in outside bags.
