Whether it's your first trip to Glastonbury or your tenth trip to Reading Festival, packing the car for those long weekends under canvas is always daunting. Knowing what to bring and what to go without can be the difference between a comfortable weekend away and an arduous hike from the car to the campsite with too much luggage. Luckily, our experts have banded together to compile our essential festival packing list - helping ensure you’re not caught short on the trip to the Main Stage. Whether glamping, camping, or driving the camper van, here is our guide to all the essentials you'll need for a truly epic summer festival weekend!
For Camp
Your camp is your home - for a few days at least! So ensuring it's comfortable, safe, and set up with everything you’ll need for a great time away is a big priority towards a stress-free experience.
Essentials to Prioritise
Tent and Sleeping Bag
Choose a tent with enough room for everyone in your group.
Make sure there’s space for all your luggage, especially if the weather turns wet.
Additional Comfort Items
Lightweight, Packable Travel Pillow
Keeps your home pillows clean and adds comfort.
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Levels out lumps and bumps in the field for a better night’s sleep.
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Essential for midnight trips to the loo or navigating around camp after dark.
Lightweight Camping Chair
Beats sitting on the mud and adds comfort around the campfire.
Nail these basics, and the rest of your camping experience will follow smoothly!
For Cooking
Cooking your own food is the best way to save some money and do your bit to reduce waste at a festival - but to do so, you’ll need to come prepared.
Essential Cooking Gear
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Keeps your food and drinks fresher for longer.
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The basics for cooking meals.
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Make sure you bring enough to last your stay.
Group sharing
If camping with others, spread the weight of cooking gear among the group to make carrying easier.
Eating Essentials
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All you need to enjoy your homemade meals comfortably.
Important Reminder
Some festivals do not allow cooking stoves on site.
Always check the festival website beforehand to confirm the rules.
Being well-prepared lets you enjoy tasty, budget-friendly meals while minimising your environmental impact!
For The Main Stage
A large rucksack or duffel bag is often your first thought when packing for a weekend away... But what about the basics?
Essentials to Keep Close
- Bumbag or daypack
- Keeps your essentials and valuables close without the bulk.
- Perfect for moving freely and jumping up and down to your favourite headliner.
- Good pair of sunglasses
- Protect your eyes from the sun’s glare.
- Reusable water bottle
- Stay hydrated while you explore the festival and hunt for last-minute food.
- Waterproof jacket or reusable poncho
- Essential for sudden rain showers.
- Decent walking socks
- Keep your feet comfortable and dry.
- Trusty pair of wellies
- Navigate through mud and wet ground with ease.
Packing these basics will help you enjoy the festival main stage comfortably and prepared for whatever the weather brings!
For Keeping Clean & Safe
Festivals are famously dirty, and while that’s part of the fun, everyone still wants to feel clean and fresh during their time there. Packing the right items can make all the difference.
Essential Cleaning and Hygiene Items
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Lightweight and quick-drying.
Perfect for wiping down a wet tent on the last day.
Dry wash
Great for freshening up between showers when the queue is too long.
Cleaning utensils for camp
Collapsible washing-up bowl
Eco-friendly washing-up liquid
Hanging travel wash bag
For Your Convenience
Last up, we have our additional list of items created to help make your festival experience feel as seamless as possible. Packing cubes and dry bags can help separate your clothes from the clean and dirty and are perfect should your clothes get wet from an errant shower mid-set. A headtorch is ideal for a late-night trip to the loos and also proves a great way to find your tent on that late-night trip back to the site after the last act. A picnic rug and blanket are ideal for early morning breakfasts, and a clothesline can help dry off your raincoat and microfibre towel in the sunshine while you dance it up at Main Stage. Finally, don’t forget to bring a trolley for carrying all your stuff from the car to the campsite and back – you don’t want to spend all day going back and forth, or worse, have to leave anything behind!
Festival Essentials FAQs
Key festival essentials include a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat or airbed, torch or camping light, reusable water bottle, power bank, sun cream, wellies, waterproof jacket, and a daypack. Don’t forget your festival ticket, ID, and some cash for food and emergencies.
Bring a quality tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping mat for a good night’s rest. Folding chairs, a picnic rug, and a gazebo or tarp provide comfort and shelter in communal areas. Earplugs and an eye mask help block out noise and light for better sleep.
Pack a waterproof jacket, poncho, wellies or waterproof boots, and extra layers for warmth. A sun hat, sunglasses, and sun cream protect against sunburn, while a tarp or gazebo offers shelter from rain or sun.
Carry a fully charged power bank and spare batteries for your phone, head torch, or lantern. Solar chargers are also useful for longer festivals. Always keep your phone in a waterproof pouch to protect it from rain or spills.
Bring a cool bag or coolbox, snacks, reusable cutlery, plates, mugs, and a camping stove or kettle. Don’t forget a lighter or matches, bin bags for rubbish, and a water bottle for hydration. Pack easy-to-prepare meals and energy snacks for convenience.
Pack wet wipes, hand sanitiser, toilet roll, a small towel, and biodegradable soap. A wash bag with basic toiletries and a spare set of clothes will help you stay fresh. If space allows, a small camp shower or wash bowl can be useful.
Consider bringing a flag or fairy lights to mark your tent, a picnic blanket, games or cards for downtime, and earplugs for sleeping. A daypack for carrying essentials around the festival site is also handy.
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