You’ve probably locked in your perfect spring festival look now. But you have everythingthe restWhat essentials will you need to give your next musical experience the absolute highlight?
From Coachella and Stagecoach to Bonnaroo and the Electric Daisy Carnival, this festival season is going to be wild. But there are a few things you’ll want to bring with you to make sure a little rain — or a lot of sun — never kills your vibe. (Just remember to always check the guidelines for your concert or festival venue to see what types of items or bags may be restricted.)
Your festival essentials will differ slightly depending on whether you’re camping out for a multi-day deal or enjoying a long day of music, but we’ve rounded up the top must-haves for any music festival you might be hitting this spring or summer. Plus, you don’t have to worry about these being single-use items — they’re perfect for hikes, camping trips, and other sunny day trips, too!
9 Cute and Smart Essentials for the Spring Festival Season
Coachella x Loop Earplugs
If you’d rather not spend two days after the festival with ringing ears and yelling “WHAT?!,” every time someone says something, do yourself a favor and pick up a good pair of reusable ear plugs. The Experience 2 ear plugs from Loop are designed specifically for live events, so they don’t play music; instead, they allow you to enjoy the feeling of listening and the peace of mind that you are not damaging your ear drums. They also come with four different sizes of ear tips to ensure a secure fit, whether you’re jumping and dancing.
If you’re camping for a multi-day festival, you might as well grab Loop’s Quiet earplugs to catch a better night’s sleep when your neighbors leave late (or early).
You can find Loop ear plugs on Amazon, but note that buying directly from the Loop site will get you an extra 10% off and free shipping on orders over $44 — that might be a better choice if you’re ordering more than one pair.
Amount:$39.95 at Amazon
Sojourner Hydration Pack
Not to sound like the “mother hen” of your friend group, but you have to stay hydrated out there! Not only is a hydration pack an environmentally friendly option, but it will save you loads of money by avoiding cut-price water bottles and – even better – it will keep your hands free for dancing. This one comes with an extra 2 liters of water which you can fill up at the festival’s dedicated water filling stations, as well as extra packets of snacks. It also has a breathable, soft padded back and adjustable straps for comfort. It comes in tons of cute prints and fun colors, including holographic options that won’t clash with your festival look. There’s even a transparent, full-view option if that’s what your space requires, or you can link to the same fan pack.
Amount:$44.99 at Amazon
JISULIFE Portable Pocket Fan
There are plenty of portable fans on the market, but we like this compact-yet-powerful design best for festivals because it doesn’t have exposed blades to get caught on anything, and it has a safety lock so you don’t accidentally waste power while hidden in your bag. It lasts 12 hours, so you can easily get through a hot day or maybe a weekend on one full charge. It also has adjustable speeds, an ergonomic grip and a lanyard to throw it on your wrist or in your bag. The only downside is that the reviews say it’s very noisy at high speeds – but that won’t really matter at the festival, anyway!
Amount:$29.99 at Target
Packable Rain Poncho
The weather can seem unpredictable at spring festivals, but the show must go on – so it’s important to always be prepared with a packable poncho. Sure, this one is a splurge (and you can always make budget choices like this one at Totes instead), but only.lookhow cute! There are several different prints to choose from, and each rain poncho comes very small in its attached, matching bag so you can easily stash it in your bag.
Amount:$50 at Rifle Paper Co
Supergoop! PLAY Daily Sunscreen Stick SPF 50
On the other hand, you are more likely to encounter hours of sunlight, so be sure to keep your skin protected with a high-SPF sunscreen. You’ll probably sweat a lot, so you’ll need to reapply throughout the day – even with a water- and sweat-resistant formula like this one. But the good news is that Supergoop has put their PLAY Everyday formula in stick form so you don’t have to worry about your hands being covered in sunscreen when you can’t easily reach to wash them. Just turn it on and you’re ready to go!
Amount:$22 at Ulta
good Circle G Sunglasses
Walking from stage to stage all day under the sun is hard on the eyes, too, if you have no control over the bright light. But just because sunglasses are made for work doesn’t mean they can’t be fun too! You just don’t want to spendagainmore of them, in case you break or lose the crowds of the festival. That’s why these colorful sunglasses are perfect: there are so many bright, fun colors and patterns to choose from, and the price is right. Plus, they offer a comfortable, comfortable fit, and are made with a grip-covered frame and silicone inserts to avoid slipping on hot, sweaty days.
Amount:$25 at Dick’s Sporting Goods
Pacsafe GO Anti-Theft Sling Pack
You want to be able to throw your hands up in the air like you don’t care, but you’ll need a bag of some crime-fighting stuff to free your mind first. This lightweight but very durable sling pack allows you to be hands freeagainwithout worrying about the RFID pocket blocking your cards, the slash-proof guard straps and the “exoskeleton” of stainless steel to protect everything inside. It’s the perfect size for your phone, compact charger and any other small essentials.
Plus, it has one lockable zippered compartment, so it should easily fit into any bag restrictions at your concert venue.
If this beautiful mint color isn’t your vibe, you can find other colors on the PacSafe site or at Nordstrom – but Amazon has some of the best prices right now.
Amount:$48.49 (or $64.95) at Amazon
Anker Nano Power Bank
You have many options when it comes to portable power banks, but we like this compact option for a few important reasons. The flexible USB-C connector connects directly to your phone — no need for a cable when you’re on the go — and charges quickly. Best of all, it won’t block your phone’s camera while charging (like other small wireless chargers), so you won’t miss capturing a single moment of memories. It’s available in a variety of great colors on Amazon if that’s your priority, but Best Buy has the best price on a basic black power bank right now.
Amount:$19.49 ($30 off) at Best Buy
Helinox Zero Highback Ultralight Camping Chair
While you can choose a more budget-friendly option (like the REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Chair), the Helinox Chair Zero is the gold standard when it comes to comfort and portability. Folding down to almost the size of an umbrella and weighing just 1.5 kilograms, this high-back version enhances the experience even more – so you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the vibes. It’s a little more of a splurge, sure, but it’s a worthwhile investment if you see any combination of concerts, camping, tailgating, beach days and park picnics in your future.
Amount:$142.46 (orig. $190) Home Depot