Though you wouldn’t know it looking out the window this afternoon, British summertime, or festival season is well underway. From handy items everybody forgets to ways to save money, I share my top tips to make the most out of your festival experience.
1. Bring a foldable water bottle
When on your feet all day, dancing to your favourite artists and running between stages to catch every performance, you are sure to get dehydrated. Rather than holding on to (and probably losing) a regular water bottle, it’s worth taking a foldable bottle you can pack down and store in your bum bag. Remember you will have to empty your bottle before entering the arena and fill it up once inside.
2. Pack for all weathers
The British weather is notoriously changeable, and you don’t want to have to spend £5 on a plastic poncho or miss performances to shelter in your tent should the weather turn. This one may sound obvious, but make sure you pack sun cream and a rain mac.
3. Bring a camping cooker and lots of brioche
Food at festivals is incredibly expensive and sites often charge an extortionate amount for boiling water. Whilst its nice to treat yourself to a few meals from the arena food stalls, if you are looking to save money, bring lots of snacks and food for breakfasts. Foods which won’t take up much space in your bag and don’t need to be stored in the fridge are ideal. If you did a Duke of Edinburgh expedition think about the snacks you took on that; brioche buns and roll up chocolate crepes are perfect.
4. See as much as you can
Whilst it can be tempting to spend all day resting your legs before seeing the headlining acts in the evening, to make the most of a festival watch as many artists as possible. Even if you haven’t heard of acts its worth giving them a try; I have discovered some of my favourite artists by exploring and keeping an open mind at festivals.
5. Don’t take your family’s best tent
Tents at festivals are famously destroyed. At rowdier festivals, people will sometimes slash others’ tents on the final night or raid them for valuables. This isn’t something you need to get overly stressed about. Just make sure you bring a tent you don’t mind getting ruined and always keep valuable items on you in a bum bag.
6. Volunteer and get free entry
Every year big festivals such as Reading/Leeds and Board Masters recruit volunteers to help with marshalling, wristbands and ‘ask me’ marquees. Whilst you will be kept busy helping run the festival, you will gain free entry and there will be time to watch performances between shifts.