This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com.
Grab your festie bestie! It’s 2019, and there’s no question that festivals are the new black. From music to margaritas to mac and cheese, there is quite literally a festival for everyone (beer festivals being my personal fave, obviously).
If the thought of going to a festival overwhelms you, trust me – you’re not alone! Whether you’re a seasoned festival veteran or a newbie, it’s undeniable that being prepared is a crucial part of having a good time!
I’ve been to my fair share of festivals, from 1-day food festivals to 3-day music festivals. I’m here to tell you: a little preparation is KEY to having the best time ever. In an effort to help you not make the same mistakes as I have make the most of festival season, I’ve put together five festival essentials to help you survive any festival on your calendar!
INVEST IN A VERSATILE BAG
Festival essential numero uno is a good bag to carry all of your other festival essentials in. Entry and re-entry into festivals are usually tricky (lines, no re-entry, etc.) so it’s important to have a versatile bag to hold everything you need. The Go Clear Backpack from Samsonite is perfect for festival-goers because it’s durable, BPA free, and an event-friendly size.
The best part: the main compartment and front zipper pocket are completely clear, which is SO important with all the new restrictions on what types of bags are allowed into festivals and events (especially at stadiums – this can double as a gameday bag!)
Make sure to stock your bag with: high protein/low sugar snack bars, a reusable insulated water bottle for water stations, gum, hand sanitizer, and a rescue kit with Advil and Pepto in it!
DON’T FORGET YOUR SUNNIES
Sunglasses are easily the most important festival essential when attending a festival! We all know it’s important to protect our eyes, and you definitely don’t want to be squinting all day out in the scorching sun (cue: headache). I’m loving Zenni Optical for all of their festival-ready sunnies, like these white oval sunglasses! They’re an ode to 60’s fashion, while the matte finish and rose gold lenses give them a fun, modern feel!
I always suggest bringing a few pair with you just in case you accidentally break or lose a pair! Don’t forget your sunglasses case to prevent scratches when you’re ready to put them in your bag for the later shows.
BE ON TIME FOR YOUR FAVORITE SHOW
Trust me on this: your phone WILL die before the end of the day when you’re at a festival if you keep checking it to see what time it is. I always try to leave my phone in my bag (to prevent losing it and save battery) and wear a watch on for quick time checks.
This Casio G-Shock S Series GMAS120MF watch is quickly becoming my go-to for festivals, boating and adventures. From the stylish matte band to the rose gold metallic face, This sports watch is also shock resistant, water resistant up to 200m incase it rains (or gets spilled on 😉 ), has an auto-LED light for when the sun goes down, and four alarms so you’re sure not to miss your favorite artist’s set!
KEEP YOUR HAIR INSTA-READY
I’m sorry to report that there’s a 110% chance your hair is going to majorly suffer while you’re at a festival. Between sweat, dancing, sun, dust, glitter, there’s just no avoiding the matted mess that you will come home to at the end of the day. I highly recommend doing a hair mask before you go, and bringing a few masks with you to use post-festival!
These multi-benefit Mane Club NYC hair masks work WONDERS on all hair types, and they only take 5 minutes to use. Each mask will help you strengthen, repair, condition, tame frizz and add shine so you’re ready for what the next day of the festival brings! Pro tip: braid your hair while at the festival to keep it manageable, but don’t forget to put sunscreen on your scalp part!
STAY CONNECTED
When there are tons of people in a crowd, losing your friends can sometimes be inevitable. Being lost is the LAST thing you want after jamming out at a festival. Make sure you stay connected with a trusted wireless network, and of course bring your portable phone charger!
SIMPLE Mobile’s 30-Day Plans offer unlimited talk and text (so you can FaceTime your long distance bestie when your favorite song plays!), plus generous amounts of high-speed data on a 4G LTE network (for uploading all those IG stories.) And it’s way affordable – SIMPLE Mobile’s plans start at $25, all with no contract and no mystery fees or overage charges.
Learn from my mistakes: write down the phone numbers of everyone you’re going with in advance and make copies for your festival buddies. This is a game changer when your phone dies and you have to use someone random’s phone to find your friends (don’t lie, you don’t know anyone’s number by heart).
DON’T FORGET TO DO YOUR RESEARCH
Essential pieces, check! Once you’ve got everything packed and ready to go, make sure you check the festival’s website and Facebook page for FAQ’s and important information! Where is the ride-share drop off and pick up located? What size bag can you bring? Are you allowed to bring sealed water (huge money and life saver if you can!) and snacks?
Scanning over the FAQ and info page will save you so many headaches the day of the festival, so be sure to check it out before you even leave home! Print a few copies the festival map out if you can and share any crucial info with your friends so you’re all on the same page.
Most importantly, HAVE FUN!!! Preparing in advance is the easiest way to ensure a stress-free festival experience, so that you can just enjoy the day! I’d love to hear more about your festival essentials and tips in the comments below, so share away!
xx
