Avoid purchasing tickets from an independent seller unless you can verify that the tickets are real by providing you with an order confirmation or receipt for their purchase. Unfortunately, if you buy a fake ticket, you won’t be able to get into the festival.
In general, it’s best to leave your umbrella at home because they can be dangerous in large crowds.
For added comfort, you can bring a cheap foam mattress pad or air mattress to lay on the floor of your tent. If you don’t want to camp at the festival, remember to book an AirBnb or hotel room nearby, so you can easily get to the venue!
If you have allergies or asthma, be sure to pack any medication that you’d need in case of a reaction.
Food can be extremely expensive inside of the venue, so you can save a lot of money by bringing your own. You can also skip out on waiting in line for food trucks and vendors! Keep in mind that not all festivals allow this, so be sure to check the rules before you pack up your cooler.
If you’re worried about your items getting wet in your bag due to rain or water features during the shows, place your wallet and phone into a resealable bag, and then stow the plastic bag in your purse or fanny pack for extra protection.
If you’re attending a festival in a large city, it’s best to use a ride sharing app or public transportation to get to the festival, since parking will likely be limited. [10] X Research source
For example, at Coachella festival, people tend to dress more in hippie-style clothing. If you want to dress up, you might wear a long, flowing dress if you like the feminine style. For a more masculine look, stick to light-colored pants or shorts and a plain t-shirt to stay cool. Depending on the location and weather, you might want to bring a bandana to tie around your face to protect you from dirt or sand that gets kicked up from people walking around.
If you know that a band you want to see is on early in the day, leave plenty of time to get to the site and find the right stage, as the lines can be extremely long to enter the venue. Keep in mind that in larger venues, it can take 30-45 minutes to walk from one stage to another.
With large festivals, it’s almost impossible to do and see everything in the few days you’re there. Stick to 1-3 music shows per day and try to fit in 1-2 other activities, like visiting the vendor tents or getting a snack from a food truck.
Each seating or standing area has different perks, so don’t be afraid to move toward the back of the crowd if you feel unsafe in the pit. In the back of the crowd, you’ll have more space to move around and won’t be surrounded by as many people. If you happen to be standing behind someone who’s taller than you, politely ask them if they could shift over so you can see. If they won’t or can’t, try not to get upset, and look for a different place where you can stand.
If you come across something more expensive that you want, most festivals have ATMs.
In general, it’s best to leave your phone in your bag or pocket after the first song if you’re in the pit, since it can be crowded and people might not be able to see if you hold your phone up. Some bands or singers will encourage you to take your phone out and turn on the flashlight during slow songs for a sort of mini light show.
Often, a pickpocket will pretend to bump into you in a large crowd while they reach into your bag or pocket to take your phone or wallet. Then, by the time you notice that something is missing, they’re already gone.
Even if the weather isn’t extremely hot outside, it’s important to stay hydrated, since you’ll be moving around during the shows and events.
If you’re in a location where it’s very sunny, re-apply your sunscreen every 2 hours to ensure that it’s protecting your skin.
This is also a great way to keep in contact with your friends to make plans and update them with your location.
Keep in mind that you may have to compromise on some events and activities to ensure that you’re both enjoying what you want to do. If your buddy doesn’t feel comfortable or begins to feel tired, head to a place where you can rest together.
If possible, keep your drinks in a lidded container so it’s more difficult for someone to drop pills or powder into the liquid. Remember that it’s okay to go to a festival and be sober. You can have just as much fun and participate in all of the events. If someone offers you a drink, politely turn them down by saying something like, “I’ve already had too much, sorry!” or “I’m the designated driver!”
If you begin to feel weak or exhausted at any point, make your way to the medical tent to get assistance. There, you’ll be able to sit or lay down and can rehydrate in the shade.
