The big festivals of the year are just around the corner. Here at SoundStoreXL, we're excited for everything to kick off! If you've forgotten how to prepare for a festival, don't worry – we've put together a complete guide for you to get ready for your favorite festival.

In addition, in this blog post, you'll also find a complete checklist to follow before you venture out into the battlefield of one or more festival grounds filled with lukewarm canned beers, bass music, and people singing along to Dua Lipa and Avicii songs.

Make Your Camp Festive and Unique

You're at a festival! Make your camp look festive and get even more out of the time you spend celebrating life.

At some festivals, for example, it's allowed to have your own pavilions where you can hang garlands or festive string lights. Many also choose to install a festival mascot or a flag – this makes it easier to find your camp among the thousands of others at the festival. My clear recommendation here is to have a flag – it's practical in many ways, easy to make, and looks nice.

Naming Your Camp

"Where were you last night?"
"I ended up at the sickest party down in area C!"
"Nice! Shall we go there tonight?"
"Yeah, man! It was called Camp Grizzbass, so we just need to look for some guys dressed up as bears."

It's not an uncommon conversation at a festival. A good name combined with some recognizable gimmicks often makes rumors of the great party spread faster when it's something memorable and rolls off the tongue.

Often, a good name also goes hand in hand with a theme for your camp, as we'll come back to in the next section. For example, if you have a camp with a Disney theme, the camp could be called "Malt Disney" - you get the point!

If you have a camp with some regular people, and you expect to camp together for several years, it's advantageous to find a name that is more generic and not too topical. That way, your name doesn't "die" the year after.

Activities and Themes in Your Camp

Even though the hangovers can be rough when the day starts, you have to get going again! Therefore, activities and a theme for your camp can help kick-start people - every day. Many initiatives for your camp don't have to cost a fortune but can come to life for a few bucks, and the output is significant and contributes to the good atmosphere.

Activities

A festival can quickly become mundane if the purpose is to sit and drink canned beers from 8 am to 5 am, with occasional concerts in between. The festivals hold a lot of events and happenings that you can participate in and experience, but wouldn't it also be cool if you had some activities in your camp?

Of course, beer bowling and beer pong are good old classics that always work. But why not spice it up in the camp and, for example, have a fixed activity every day at 12, which can rotate. Every day, someone new from the camp is responsible for having an activity ready.

Activity Inspiration:

• Who can get a phone number the fastest?
• Erotic novel reading
• Karaoke
• Quizzes
• Run/race
• Obstacle course
• Morning yoga
• Relay
• Contact celebrities on Instagram and try to get them to visit your camp.

Themes

Your camp can greatly benefit from adopting a theme that lasts throughout the entire festival. Naturally, it creates a different atmosphere, and you feel like part of something bigger. It also provides plenty of opportunities for gimmicks and a name, as we discussed earlier.

Being drawn into a mood that's on another level, and - like the blood donors - they look like they're always having more fun than anyone else ;)

I've been to several festivals where I've seen really cool themed camps that live and breathe their theme:

• Camp Rose 
• Camp Asie 
• A Camp of Ice and Fire 
• Camp Luxus
• Camp Grizzbass
• Camp Bodega
• Camp Ski
• Camp 1992

And many more!

Plan Your Time

Most festivals last only a week or an extended weekend. You've spent a lot of money on the ticket, on the beers, and on everything you need to bring. Therefore, it can be a good idea to plan your time carefully. Both in terms of the many concerts, but also if you want to participate in some of the countless events and happenings that take place at such a festival.

Personally, I always set aside the first day to walk around and explore the different stalls and camps, just to get a sense of where things are located - of course with a beer in hand.

Before you go, you've probably already thought about some favorite artists THAT YOU JUST HAVE TO SEE. If you're at one of the larger festivals, these can be added as favorites within the festival's own app, so you can receive a notification half an hour before an act goes on stage. This is super smart so you don't miss the artists you came to hear in the first place. If the festival doesn't have such an app, it might be a good idea to write them down in your calendar or reminder app on your phone.

This doesn't mean you have to plan all your time, of course. Festivals tend to push your planning a lot because of camp parties and most of all, because you lose track of time and place. You just have to accept and enjoy that!

Packing List for Festival

Here's our suggestion for your complete festival packing list. Find a simplified list at the bottom of this page that you can print or copy to your phone.

Your Ticket
- The first thing on your festival must-have list is, of course, your ticket. You won't get far without it. Double and triple check that you have it before you leave home and also check a couple of times on the way. If you have your ticket on your phone, I recommend taking a screenshot of the barcode/QR code in case your internet goes out when it needs to be scanned.

Money, Payment Cards - If you feel fresh enough to bring all the money you need for the festival. I prefer to bring a few hundred at a time and just bring my payment card. There are usually ATMs everywhere at festival grounds, so you won't risk being without cash.

However, in recent years, cashless systems have been introduced at most major festivals, so you don't have to carry around payment cards and cash (they can quickly disappear). It works by topping up some money on the chip in your festival wristband before the festival begins, which you can use to buy food and drinks. Cashless wristbands can also be topped up directly from your phone during the festival.

If you're packing for a festival abroad, just double-check that your Visa or Mastercard works there too.

Parking Pass - If you had to buy a separate festival parking pass, don't forget to bring that too.

Your Phone - It's impossible to find your friends without it! Just make sure it's well protected with a cover and screen protector, and store it securely.

Music & Party Items for Your Camp

Festival Speaker - most people love to bring speakers to festivals. Personally, I think it's a must-have with a cool setup in your camp at festivals. The smart thing about a festival speaker is definitely that it has the ability to play on battery. Some of them even come with built-in light shows and accompanying microphones. I would always choose a festival speaker with wheels and a handle, so it's easy to roll into the camp when the fence collapses and you need to move quickly.

Megaphone - make the festival more fun with a megaphone. If you have a large camp, I would always recommend bringing a megaphone so the judge in beer pong can be heard by everyone. Many megaphones even have many fun sound effects built-in such as horns and sirens, which makes it a bit more festive in the camp.

Small DJ Controller - bring a small DJ controller and mix the music in the camp like a real DJ. These can be purchased with built-in functionality for mobile phones, so they're super easy to bring. (requires a car battery or similar for power)

Festive Battery-Powered Lights - If you want to be sure to have the coolest camp at your festival, spice it up with some battery-powered lights.

Confetti - what's more festive than confetti? Choose paper confetti as it is biodegradable and comes in handy when you need to shoot it outdoors.

Camping at Festivals

Light and Smart Tent – At the top of the camping equipment list is, of course, a tent. Make sure to choose one that suits the weather - if you're looking for the best tent, check out these tent buying guidelines.

If you know you won't have many people in your tent, a single-person pop-up tent from Harald Nyborg will most likely work flawlessly.

Weather-Appropriate Sleeping Bag - If it's going to rain while you're running into the festival, make sure to cover it with a plastic bag. A damp sleeping bag is just no fun!

Sleeping Mat or Inflatable Mattress - an absolute necessity if you're packing for a festival this year. I can guarantee it'll be worth every penny if you choose a sleeping mat with good thickness, especially if it's raining and the ground is cold and wet.

If you don't want the hassle of carrying an inflatable mattress, you can try a self-inflating sleeping mat or a camping roll-up mat.

Pillow – I used to be able to sleep on a rolled-up hoodie, but as a more discerning festival-goer these days, I like to have a proper pillow to lay my head on. You could try camping pillows - there are many on the market - but if you're willing to carry it, I would always recommend a proper pillow for your festival camping checklist.

Festival Chairs - if you're up for carrying festival chairs around, your festival experience will surely be a bit more comfortable in the long run. If not, you can always use them at the campsite. Cheap and useful!

Gazebos - depending on the festival you're packing for, a gazebo can be fun. Some festivals, like Roskilde Festival, prohibit gazebos, and if you set one up, it will be taken from you. But other festivals, with a little more space, welcome them, and they can be a good shield against the sun.

Small Items for the Festival Checklist

Add these to your list of essentials for festival camping...

Hammer - it's heavy, but make sure to bring a hammer to hammer all the tent pegs firmly. You don't want to stumble upon them every time you leave the tent, or worse, have your tent fly off in the wind.

This is one of the things you should discuss with your campmates, as you only need one to share.

Duct Tape - if you're bringing a wagon or a cart (which is highly recommended), duct tape will help you keep everything together when you're on the move. Duct tape can also be super useful when patching up the tent, fixing things, etc. It's a fantastic thing to bring to festivals. At SoundStoreXL, we have many different types, such as neon duct tape in many festive colors.

Decoration for Your Camp - It's a good idea to decorate your camp so it stands out and can be identified from all the others that look exactly the same. Stick a flag or something else in the ground, so you can easily recognize your camp. At Smukfest in 2016, I was about three seconds away from going into the wrong tent at 5 in the morning until my friend happened to walk by and noticed my struggle with the zipper.

Foot Pump - remember this for your festival packing list, as you won't get your air mattress up without a foot pump!

Plastic Cups - plastic cups are perfect for festivals. You can use them for drinking, eating breakfast or soup - or maybe a game of beer pong? Make sure to have at least one of these on your festival packing list. Of course, we all want to avoid using all that disposable plastic.

Clothesline - can be useful for hanging wet clothes (or swimwear) between the tents.

Tarpaulin - if the weather forecast calls for rain, it's a good idea to have one or two tarps to keep your things dry.

Clothespins - in conjunction with the above, clothespins can be used to hang all sorts of things around the camp - especially wet clothes.

Inflatable Sofa - when I visited Roskilde Festival a few years ago, they loved the inflatable sofas. Some people had entire rooms set up in their campsites, it was quite impressive. Depending on which festival you're going to, these can be a good idea - especially if you're traveling with children.

Mobile Water Container - Of course, you want to bring as much water back to the campsite as possible... when you're already going up to the tap and carrying the water back to the campsite... It's also super useful if you want to wash your hair and body. Great idea for what to bring to a festival to stay fresh.

Festival Alcohol and Food

Lots of Beer - you can never have enough beers at a festival, and they're indispensable for both beer bowling and beer pong.

Vodka - vodka is perfect for mixing with soda or fruit juice. Preferably buy them in 3-liter bags, so you avoid the risk of glass shards if the bottle breaks - and it's super cheap.

Boxed Wine - they're the cheapest and easiest way to get a good buzz. You can save hundreds of kroner!

Thermos Flasks - make sure to add one of these to your list of festival gear. Use a thermos flask for festivals, and even if you don't feel like carrying your bottle into the music areas, it will at least keep your drinks cool until you're back at the campsite. The technology means you can keep drinks cool for 24 hours and hot for 12. Fantastic!

Snacks - I would recommend at least taking some chips and/or nuts, just to have something to eat when you're back at the campsite and maybe dealing with a hangover the next day. If you're into canned food, tuna and rye bread are also highly recommended!

Clothing for the Festival

When planning what to bring to a festival, your clothing is going to be something that takes up a lot of space in the bag. What clothing to pack for festivals varies enormously depending on where the festival is held.

Let me give you some general tips for your festival fashion must-haves.

Summer Clothes - You need to be prepared for the heat - we tend to be lucky with the weather during festival periods. Make sure to pack some shorts and dresses. Not too short that you can't sit comfortably on the ground, but not too long or restrictive that you're hot.

Also, bring some vests, tops, and t-shirts and think in layers.

Warm Clothing for the Evening - you'll need nice, cozy sweaters for the evening and night. Most festivals run around the clock, and you don't want to risk getting sick on the first night of the festival, right?

Stockings and leggings are a good transition from day to night - so add that to your festival checklist ladies!

Rain Gear - one of the typical things that deter people from festivals is the rain. Your skin is waterproof! As long as you're prepared, everything should go smoothly. Make sure your festival packing list is made with rain in mind.

Bring a few more pairs of pants than you think you'll need and a good rain jacket - a long one with a hood. Avoid bringing an umbrella, it will just be in the way, and everyone will hate you for blocking the view of the stage.

Plenty of Socks - it's so nice to be able to come back to the tent and put on a fresh pair of socks. Makes me feel like a new woman.

Comfortable Rubber Boots - if the weather forecast predicts rain before you go to the festival, you'll need some rubber boots! If rubber boots aren't really your thing, or it's too hot, you can try hiking boots. There are plenty of affordable hiking boots to choose from.

Rain Poncho, Fits in Your Bag or Pocket - these are super cheap and easy to carry. If you're at a festival in a rainy country, protection from the rain can sometimes be an absolute necessity.

Sun Hat - add one to your festival packing list to cover your festival hair, to stand up to the heat, and to protect your head from the sun.

Flip Flops - flip flops are a sure hit to bring to a festival. Perfect for all those late trips to the toilet as well as walking around the festival on a sunny day.

Swimwear - some festivals have bathing facilities in the form of lakes, where you can take a dip and cool off on hot summer days. Make sure you're well-prepared to join in the fun!

A Clean Set of Clothes in a Special Bag for the Journey Home - it will feel fantastic, so fresh, and above all, clean.

Toiletries

Toothbrush and Toothpaste - keeping your mouth clean is one of the very few ways to stay fresh, and the easiest. Also, bring some mouthwash for when you're in a rush.

Sunscreen - standing out in the sun every day can make you red in the face, literally. Pack some sunscreen and make sure to use it. We can't have your skin peeling off when you're at the festival, can we?

Toilet Paper - always bring toilet paper to festivals. Small packs of tissues are also okay - and hold up better in rainy weather.

Wet Wipes - you'll definitely need some wet wipes. Great for the toilet, for cleaning your tent, yourself, your face, and just to have on your festival packing list.

Hand Sanitizer - festivals are usually gross. Bring plenty of hand sanitizer.

Makeup - you'll probably end up skipping using it after a while, but it's always nice to have with you.

Medication - any medication you need, bring them in a waterproof/weather-resistant bag. They need to be able to survive the elements in harsh conditions. Staying healthy at festivals is really important so see it through.

Shampoo and Conditioner - you never know when you'll have time for a shower, pack it in your bag just in case. You'll feel fantastic after washing your hair at a festival, trust me!

Compact Mirror - great for checking for boogers or spots without having to spend a second longer in that skanky Portaloo than you have to.

Moisturizer - make sure you have a way to moisturize dry skin. It will go through heat, dryness, moisture, and all sorts of weather, so take care of it when you're away.

Lip Balm - your lips will be well-used when the festival ends, no matter which festival you're at, and mine always get dry when that happens. Pack a good lip balm to keep your lips moisturized.

Vitamins - I like the effervescent tablets that make water taste like orange juice, but multivitamins can also work just fine. I would definitely recommend packing vitamins for your festival trip. It's a long week, and your immune system will be under attack. Be strong!

Electrolytes - some people swear by these to keep their energy up for festivals. Personally, I've never tried them, but don't hesitate to take them with you if you believe electrolytes help you feel better at festivals.

Insect Repellent - if your festival is near some water, or in a field (like most are), make sure to pack some insect repellent to keep the little pests away.

Deodorant - put it on, for the sake of your fellow festival-goers. ;)

Soap - or at least something to wash with, if you're one of those who choose to shower at the festival.

Perfume - a good way to smell nice in a stinky environment. Maybe try to get some samples so you don't end up having to lug around the full-size perfume bottle.

Protection - have protection in place. Add these to your festival packing list if you think there's any chance of a bit of luck in the tent with the opposite sex.

Cotton Swabs - great for your makeup, ears, and glitter.

More essential things for festivals

What to bring to a festival?

Utility Cart - a utility cart can be the best money you've ever spent for a festival. You can strap everything on and just push it into the festival.

Extra Tote Bags - it's a good idea to take an extra tote bag to festivals. You can keep all your trash organized and at the same time separate your dirty clothes from the not-so-dirty ones during the party. Also good to sit on if the ground is a bit wet.

Sunglasses - sunglasses cover all sorts of sins, so make sure to pack a couple of different looks to protect your eyes and face from the sun.

Earplugs - And a sleep mask. If you like to sleep, these things are absolutely necessary for festivals.

Waterproof Dry Bags - if you're packing for a particularly rainy festival, and you have some electronics on you, you need a waterproof dry bag to protect your stuff. Whether you leave it in your tent or take it with you is up to you.

Textiles

Microfiber Towel - a fantastic space-saving trick if you want a towel for the shower, or at least some way to stay clean at the festival. Get a microfiber towel to take up as little space as possible.

Bandana - you definitely needed one of these at Roskilde Festival in 2018. The dust from the dry sand was just terrible. If the festival is in a dusty environment, make sure to pack a bandana to cover your mouth. You can also use it over your head and around your neck.

Jewelry - festival jewelry is a great way to spice up any outfit.

Fanny Pack - a fanny pack, or whatever else it's called, is simply a festival essential! Your phone, keys, wallet, and all your other important belongings can be easy to lose if you're running around with them in your pockets. A fanny pack keeps your things together and typically worn around the waist or across your body, making it larger and therefore much harder to lose or forget.

Electronics

Walkie talkies - excellent for communication when you have no reception or battery, walkie-talkies are perfect.

Powerbanks - it's better to order one now than to stand in line at the big chargers at a festival and waste time waiting to pick it up again. The major festivals even offer power banks on subscription - really smart!

Watch - it can be a good idea to bring a watch to a festival so you don't have to look at your phone for time and waste the battery.

Go Pro Camera and Selfie Stick - if you want pictures of the crowd at a festival, the best thing to pack would be a Go Pro and a selfie stick. That way, you can take some amazing fisheye pictures without the camera taking up too much space in your bag.

Purchase at the Festival

Most major festivals have some sort of camping gear purchase, so you don't need to take everything you could ever need. However, this will, of course, come at a price significantly higher than what you can find in stores outside the festival.

Have a great time! :-)

Complete Festival Packing List (Simple)

Your Ticket

Money / Payment Cards

Parking Pass

Your Phone

Music & Festive Items for Your Camp

Festival Speaker

Megaphone

Small DJ Console 

Festive Battery-Powered Lights

Confetti

Camping

Lightweight and Smart Tent

Sleeping Bag

Sleeping Pad

Pillow

Festival Chairs

Pavilions

Miscellaneous

Hammer

Duct Tape

Decorations for Your Camp

Foot pump

Plastic cups

Clothesline

Tarpaulin

Clothespins

Inflatable sofa

Mobile water container

Alcohol and food

Beer

Vodka

Boxed wine

Thermos flasks

Snacks

Clothing

Summer clothes

Warm clothes

Rain gear

Socks

Rubber boots

Raincoat

Sun hat

Flip flops

Swimwear

A clean set of clothes

Toiletries

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Sunscreen

Toilet paper

Wet wipes

Hand sanitizer

Makeup

Medication

Shampoo and conditioner

Compact mirror

Moisturizer

Lip balm

Vitamins

Electrolytes

Insect repellent

Deodorant

Soap

Perfume

Contraceptives

Cotton swabs

Trolley

Extra carrier bags

Sunglasses

Earplugs

Waterproof dry bags

Textiles

Microfiber towel 

Bandana

Jewelry 

Electronics

Walkie talkies

Powerbank

Watch

Go Pro camera and selfie-stick