The Pepsi Pulse Essential Summer Music Festival Packing Guide

Written by: Dana Droppo

It’s almost festival season and it’s never too soon to start planning ahead for one of the best experiences of your life! Prepping for festivals is all about function, so pack light and make sure you’ve got what you need. This guide will help ensure you charge full speed ahead into whatever adventures your music festival experience has in store. Check out Pepsi’s essential summer music festival guide.

1. The Pepsi Pulse Essential Summer Music Festival Packing Guide

The Pepsi Pulse Essential Summer Music Festival Packing Guide

It’s almost festival season and it’s never too soon to start planning ahead for one of the best experiences of your life! Prepping for festivals is all about function, so pack light and make sure you’ve got what you need. This guide will help ensure you charge full speed ahead into whatever adventures your music festival experience has in store. Check out Pepsi’s essential summer music festival guide.

2. Bag or Backpack

Bag or Backpack

Packing a hands free bag is the best way to prepare you for whenever you might need to grab something on the go: a camera, a beach ball, or the hand of the person next to you. Anything can happen, you just have to be ready to seize the opportunity.

3. Showlist or Schedule

Showlist or Schedule

When two of your favorite acts are playing back-to-back, sometimes you have to make a break for it. Plan out your route ahead of time using the official show schedule. Lots of them even have iPhone apps to make the process that much simpler.

4. Cash

The ATM fees at festivals are notoriously high, so bring cash in advance to avoid the extra costs. Unless, of course, you’re going to Burning Man, where money doesn’t matter. In that case you’ll have to sing for it instead.

5. Water Bottle

Water Bottle

The cost of buying water bottles adds up quickly when you’re out dancing in the sun all day. Little known fact: most festivals set up water refill stations for free. Bringing a small water bottle with you to re-use will help save you money, save the environment and keep you hydrated. Drink up!

6. Sunglasses

Sunglasses

Sunglasses serve two purposes at a festival: keeping your eyes protected, and adding some serious style points. It’s up to you to decide which one is more important, but keep some shades on you either way.

7. Sunscreen

Sunscreen

Even if the sun isn’t straight over head, being outside all day exposes your skin to high intensity UV rays. Apply some SPF ahead of time to prevent your freckles or tan from turning into a burn.

8. Towel or Handkercheif

Towel or Handkercheif

You’d be surprised how quickly the sweat starts to pour when you’re out dancing and gallivanting across festival grounds. Bring a towel or a headscarf with you to stay dry. Plus, you can lay it down on the grass to double as your own personal assigned seat when you need a dance break.

9. Lip Balm, Not Lipstick

Lip Balm, Not Lipstick

Your lips are the most important part of your body when it comes to festivals. For singing along, cheering your heart out, and blowing kisses, stock up on lip balm to keep ‘em hydrated.

10. Disposable Film or Camera

Don’t bring an expensive camera with you unless you’re prepared to babysit it. Go disposable! The natural light at an outdoor venue will expose the film perfectly and you’ll get to relive every moment when you pick it up from the one-hour-photo.

11. Late Night Sweatshirt

Late Night Sweatshirt

In the heat of the day it seems impossible that you could ever want to wear something that’s supposed to make you warmer, but it’s guaranteed to cool down after sunset. Bring a light sweater or sweatshirt so you can stay comfortable through the party and the after party.

12. Face Wipes

Face Wipes

Whether you’re camping or not, finding a clean private sink to wash up after a long day is definitely not a top festival priority. Skip the soap and washcloth regime and bring a pack of disposable face wipes to keep your skin fresh on the go.