Festival Camping Packing List
A practical checklist for festival camping. Save it, print it, and share it with your crew before you hit the road.
How to use this checklist
Most festival chaos comes from missing basics: IDs, tent parts, chargers, rain gear, and painkillers. Use this list as a starting point, then adapt it to your festival rules and the weather.
Documents
- Festival ticket
- Bus / shuttle ticket (if needed)
- ID card or passport
- Cash
- Payment card (backup)
- Health insurance card
- Doctor’s note / prescription (if you carry medication)
Tent setup
- Tent (complete: poles, flysheet, pegs)
- Extra stakes / pegs
- Rubber mallet
- Air mattress or sleeping mat
- Fitted sheet (optional, but nice)
- Sleeping bag or blanket
- Pillow
- Pump
- Small padlock for the tent zipper (optional)
Camping essentials
- Folding chairs
- Folding table
- Camping lamp / lantern
- Cooler
- Camping cutlery
- Camping plates / bowls
- Camping grill (if allowed)
- Charcoal / firelighters (if allowed)
- Can / bottle opener
- Duct tape
- Trash bags
- Zip ties
- Carabiners
- Paper towels / napkins
- Aluminum foil / resealable bags
- Sponge / cloth / drying towel
- Collapsible water canister
- Lighter
Food & drinks
- Water
- Soft drinks
- Snacks
- Canned food (e.g., ravioli)
- Coffee
- Sauces
- Grill meat & sausages (if you grill)
- Alcohol (if you drink)
Clothing
- Festival outfits
- Warm-day clothes (shirts, shorts, etc.)
- Cold-night layer (hoodie, jacket)
- Rain jacket
- Swimwear
- Sweatpants
- Cap / hat
- Sunglasses + case
- Glasses / contacts + case + solution
- Sleepwear
- Sleep mask (optional)
- Underwear
- Socks
- Extra pair of shoes
- Flip-flops / shower slides
- Clothes hangers (handy at showers)
Hygiene
- Towels (small + large)
- Toiletry bag
- Small mirror
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo
- Shower gel
- Deodorant
- Hand sanitizer
- Hairbrush
- Hair gel / hairspray (optional)
- Makeup + makeup remover wipes (optional)
- Sunscreen
- Toilet paper
- Razor
- Lip balm
- Wet wipes
- Tissues
- Condoms (optional)
Festival first-aid kit
- Blister plasters
- Band-aids / plasters
- First-aid kit
- Painkillers (e.g., headaches)
- Personal medication
- Mosquito repellent
- Insect bite relief (e.g., heat pen)
- Tick card or tweezers (if relevant)
Useful extras
- Phone
- Charger
- Power bank
- Small speaker
- Flashlight
- Batteries
- Earplugs
- Belt bag / neck wallet
- Hand cart / wagon
Quick tips
- Check festival rules for grills, glass, aerosols, and generators.
- Pack for cold nights even if the day is hot.
- Share responsibilities: one person brings the mallet, another brings zip ties, another brings duct tape.
- Keep documents and meds in one waterproof pouch.
Packing list FAQ
Common questions about what to bring to a festival.
What are the top 10 festival camping essentials?
Ticket/ID, tent (with all parts), sleeping bag, power bank + cable, rain jacket, sunscreen, water, earplugs, wet wipes, and basic painkillers.
How do we avoid forgetting important items?
Split responsibilities (who brings what), pack in categories (documents, tent, hygiene), and do a final 10-minute check with this list before leaving.
What should we pack for cold nights?
Bring an extra warm layer, thicker socks, a beanie, and a better sleeping setup (mat + sleeping bag). Nights are often much colder than daytime.
What should we always keep accessible (not buried in the tent)?
Documents/ID, medication, water, a flashlight, charger/power bank, and a rain layer. Keep them in one small bag.