Ready for an unforgettable journey to your next festival? After our last post on protecting phones from theft and loss at festivals was so well-received, we’ve decided to create a festival packing list this year, something we’ve often needed ourselves to ensure we always have the right accessories and festival gadgets. This list incorporates the wisdom of experienced festival-goers who share their best advices and tricks. From an unbeatable packing list to useful must-haves and individual festival gadgets – here, you’ll find everything to make your next adventure truly memorable. Let the festival vibes engulf you and turn your upcoming event into a highlight you won’t soon forget! Leave your worries behind and focus entirely on the festival. Why are we, as a security company, doing this? Simply because our festival gadget list prioritizes the protection of personal devices, a crucial aspect that is often overlooked.
Download our festival packing and gadget list
Here you can find our festival packing list available for download. This allows you to pack easily and securely, checking off the right accessories and gadgets for your perfect experience. However, don’t forget to set up your devices securely as well. This makes theft or loss significantly more difficult! You can find more information below or in the downloadable packing list.
Overview of our festival packing list
Our Festival packing list for 2024 is divided into several groups. These include:
- Documents: Nothing works without them! Make sure to bring the festival ticket, ID, and other relevant documents. The rest could be purchased in case of emergency.
- Tent and Sleeping Gear: Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, and, depending on comfort preferences, camping furniture.
- Clothing: Comfortable clothing, weather-appropriate attire, swimwear, and shoes for all weather conditions.
- Hygiene Items: Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, shower gel, toilet paper, towels, and other personal hygiene items.
- Medications and First Aid: Necessary medications, bandages, pain relievers, insect repellent, and a small first aid kit.
- Food and Drink: Food, drinking water, alcohol, camping dishes, cutlery, and cooking utensils.
- Finances: Cash, a money belt or neck pouch, as well as credit cards.
- Technical Equipment: Mobile phone, charging cable, power bank, camera, and waterproof cases for electronic devices.
- Secure Configuration: Just bringing items isn’t enough. Phones and laptops can be configured to be much safer against theft and loss.
- Festival Gadgets: Often, small things are missing at festivals that one might not think of. We do! The extras section includes various accessories that can make life at festivals much easier.
If you consider these ten points, you’ll be well-equipped and will surely always find the right festival gadgets and accessories.
*Please note that some links in this blog post are affiliate links. By using them you support our work.
Our festival packing list in detail
Our festival packing list includes several subcategories, each described in a point above, encompassing various accessories and gadgets. Depending on how well-equipped you want to be, you may need to bring more or less. The most crucial foundation for us is to use a travel bag and not a suitcase. With a suitcase it can hardly get more unwieldy and cumbersome. Therefore, it’s best to always start with an empty travel bag.
Also, please note to check beforehand what is allowed at each festival. There are often specific regulations for items like glass and other things.
Festival documents
Without documents, there’s no point in even starting to head to a festival. That’s why it’s the foundation of our list. Here’s what you need:
- Festival ticket / Campsite ticket
- Car keys
- Vehicle registration document
- Insurance cards
- Driver’s license
- Health insurance card
- ID card / Passport
- Student ID
- Prescriptions for medications (Sometimes needed to avoid issues)
- Train ticket / Bus ticket / Flight ticket
Tent and sleeping gear
After you’ve packed all your documents you are proceeding to the festival and start setting up your campsite right away. For that you need various essentials.
- Flashlight (Camping lantern)
- Camping chair
- Barrier tape (To mark off space if friends join)
- Rubber mallet
- Tent pegs
- Sleeping bag
- Towel
- Sleeping mat
- Rope
- Pavilion
- Toilet paper
- Padlock (Test on the tent entrance)
- Tent
- Earplugs or general ear protection (Loop Earplugs are recommended as a valuable gadget)
Clothing
When it comes to clothing, it’s challenging to cater to individual tastes on a festival packing list. Therefore, we provide only a general overview of what to consider.
- Jacket
- Shorts
- Long pants
- Hat, Cap
- Rain jacket
- Rain poncho (Often available at the festival grounds for free)
- Pyjamas
- Socks (Always bring 2 extra pairs)
- Sunglasses
- T-shirts
- Underwear
- Swimwear
- 2 pairs of shoes
- Rubber boots
Hygiene items
When it comes to hygiene items for festivals, opinions vary widely. Some only need a toothbrush, while others bring an entire suitcase full with stuff. Here, we’ll summarize the best accessories for festivals:
- Hairbrush
- Deodorant
- Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel
- Hair tie
- Contact lenses
- Razor
- Makeup
- Makeup removal wipes
- Sunscreen (SPF 50)
- Tampons / Feminine hygiene products
- Tissues
- Birth control pills / Condoms
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
Medications and first aid
Medications at festivals have a different significance compared to what we are accustomed to at home. Some organizers can be very strict and might confiscate medications, suspecting them to be drugs. Therefore, pay close attention to which medications you bring and which ones you truly need. If you’re unsure, consider getting a prescription from a doctor and bring that with you.
- Blister plasters
- First aid kit
- Insect repellent
- Personal medications
- Band-aids
- General pain relievers (Parkemed, Thomapyrin)
- Tweezers
Food and drinks
If you bring your own food and drinks, you can save a lot of money. We always recommend having a few basics. Typically, there’s often a shop away from the festival grounds that offers these items at a lower cost if you compare it to the restaurants there (whether it’s Tomorrowland, Electric Love, or Ultra Music Festival). Just keep an eye out for it.
- Sliced bread
- Canned goods
- Water
- Alcohol (Be cautious with glass bottles! They are often prohibited.)
- Snacks
- Beer (Cans should not be an issue)
Finances on a festival
When it comes to finances at festivals, it always depends on the location. If you’re attending larger festivals, we generally recommend preloading wristbands with money and leaving cash at home. However, at smaller festivals, it might be necessary to bring cash. Clarify this beforehand for the best approach.
In general, we always recommend carrying a €50 bill in 10s and additionally having a credit card or possibly activating Apple/Google Pay. If you have a debit or credit card, be sure to bring an RFID blocker. This way, no one can siphon off a few euros using NFC (yes, this happens frequently in crowded areas, so it is also recommended in a bar or a dance club).
- €50 in €10 bills
- Debit card
- RFID blocker (readily available on Amazon at an affordable price)
- Ideally, activate Apple/Google Pay and leave the physical card at home.
Technical equipment on a festival
Even at festivals, technology is essential and should not be left behind. We recommend following gadgets:
- Bluetooth speaker
- Camera with battery
- Power bank
- Mobile phone with charging cable
- Waterproof phone case
- Batteries
Secure configuration to protect your mobile phone from theft
In the tight crowds of a festival, it’s easy to lose sight of your phone, and it’s possible that pickpockets steal your phone right in front of you. That’s why it’s crucial to configure your phone to give criminals no chance and the possibility to quickly locate it. We’ve created a separate blog post that explains how to set up your phone to make it easier to retrieve. Therefore, check out the following blog post.
We believe that this should also be part of a festival packing list/checklist, providing not only specific product recommendations but also a general preparation guide for your phones.
- Setting up your phone.
- Set a wallpaper/background.
- Purchase phone insurance. (Last resort)
Festival Gadgets and Essentials for the packing list
Over the past few years, it has become evident that a few gadgets or accessories for festivals can be incredibly helpful and enhance our packing list. In this regard, we’ve discovered three fantastic items that have significantly eased our lives, and we don’t want to keep them secret as our most essential festival accessories.
Duct tape on our festival packing list
Duct tape, also known as gaffer tape, is an indispensable gadget at festivals. It allows for quick repairs, especially if equipment or tents unexpectedly get damaged. The versatility of duct tape is evident in its ability to create improvised solutions for various needs, whether it’s securing decorations, attaching signs, or hanging lights. Its weather-resistant property also makes it useful for temporary water-resistant repairs on tents or as a quick marking of personal items. With its easy handling, cheap price and diverse applications, duct tape is an essential festival gadget that ensures unexpected situations don’t spoil the festival experience. It’s one of our crucial saviors, which is why it shouldn’t be missing from the festival packing list.
Foldable water bags
A collapsible water bottle is genuinely important at festivals as it saves space, protects the environment, and is easy on the wallet. Its compact form allows for easy storage, leaving more room for other accessories. Additionally, it contributes to reducing single-use plastic, which is crucial given the waste issue at festivals. The flexibility of the collapsible water bottle makes it a practical companion that easily fits into bags or backpacks, allowing festivalgoers to stay well-hydrated at all times. Generally, you can take these onto the festival grounds (usually they must be empty), offering another opportunity to save money. We recommend ordering these on Aliexpress rather than Amazon. On Amazon, a bag is typically priced around €10, whereas the same ones on Aliexpress cost around €0.80. If time permits, this can be a significant cost-saving. Simply search for “Water Bags 700” on Aliexpress.
Secure Phone leash for festivals
In addition to configuring your phone to protect against theft and loss, we’ve tested many gadgets over the years to find out which one is best suited for a festival. It was crucial for us to find a product that provides physical protection against pickpockets while offering the necessary flexibility to take photos/videos during a festival or rave. The result was “ClutchLoop” – a theft protection device for smartphones that allows you to take your phone out in a crowded setting and capture the moment while securely attached to a steel cable. Whether you want to take photos/videos or simply have your phone in your pocket, it’s challenging for someone to discreetly access and steal it.
We use this gadget not only at festivals but also on city trips, as things can take a bad turn quickly, making it essential to secure your phone while on the go.
We’ve partnered with ClutchLoop and asked if we could get a discount for our readers as a benefit for them. They’ve allowed us to offer a 10% discount on a ClutchLoop with the code “zetta.” Simply redeem this on their website. This way, you not only save a bit but also ensure your phone is well-protected. Check out the product on their website and leave a comment on what you think.
Our Festival Packing List – Summary
Festivals can be demanding at times and without proper preparation, can pose a challenge. With this blogpost, we’ve thought about how we can adequately prepare you. Therefore, the focus of our festival packing list is not only on the classic accessories found in a hundred other lists but also on the protection of phones and other devices. This way, you can set off worry-free, not only well-equipped but also safeguarded against thieves. Enjoy your next journey!
