The UK music festival season is about to kick into action. So, we’ve pooled our collective festivalling experience to bring you our top ten essential items you definitely want to include when packing for a festival. Yes, you’re probably going to need more than ten items if you are going to embark on a weekend living under canvas, but these are the essentials that we just wouldn’t do a festival without!

Being well-prepared is the key to being able to enjoy every moment. So, here’s our comprehensive guide to festival essentials that will help you pack smart and stay comfortable.

Our top 10 essential items for festival season

1. Sturdy and Comfortable Footwear: Whatever the weather you are graced with we highly recommend you take a pair of boots. Festival sites can be vast (Yeah, we’re talking about you Glastonbury!!!) and often involve a lot of walking, so it’s best to make sure your feet stay dry, comfortable and blister free! If you’re taking wellies and you haven’t worn them recently make sure you check the rubber hasn’t perished anywhere. Wellies aren’t waterproof if they have holes in. FACT!
2. A Rain Jacket: A lightweight, packable rain jacket or even a waterproof poncho can save the day if the weather takes a turn for the worse. Think of it as an insurance policy. If you take one, you probably won’t need it. If you don’t, you absolutely will. A waterproof jacket also doubles up as a place to sit. Ideal for keeping your bum dry when you’re sat on grass. We love a dual-purpose festival item!
3. Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated and look after the planet by bringing a refillable water bottle. Festivals have high sustainability standards to meet and so these days many of them will allow you to bring an empty water bottle in, and fill it up at designated drinking water points.
4. Snacks The selection of food available at a festival can be pretty epic. But the prices can be pretty epic to match. Taking high-energy snacks to keep you going through the day is a great way to stay fuelled and keep enjoyment levels up. The Honest Bean Co 40g on the go pouches are ideal for festivals. They’re nut free, packed full of protein, won’t melt or go sticky in the sun, perfect for popping in your sparkly sequinned bum bag for a strategic festival refuel.
5. Suncream and Lip Balm: Festival days can be long and even if it doesn’t feel like the sun is shining it doesn’t mean you don’t need to protect yourself from UV rays. Protect your skin from harmful UV rays and keep your lips moist and supple with a lip balm.
6. Wet Wipes: Festivals can get messy. A small pack of wet wipes can be a lifesaver for so many reasons.
7. Hand-sanitiser – We don’t need to tell you why this is an essential, do we?
8. A Portable Charger – Most festivals have phone charging points these days but it’s nice to be self-sufficient. Being able to charge your phone means you’ll never miss a photo opportunity, and you can keep in touch with your festival buddies.
9. Ear plugs. An entire weekend of live music can take its toll on your ears so wearing earplugs is a great way to reduce the risk of ringing in your ears(ears repeated, can you re word?. Just those squishy little foam ones can really take the edge off and allow you to enjoy loud music for longer. If you’re taking kids to a festival, ear defenders are absolutely essential to ensure their young ears don’t get damaged.
10. A small first aid kit. We aren’t talking the whole shebang, but we guarantee you’ll be the hero at someone’s festival weekend (if not your own) with some paracetamol and a few blister plasters stashed in your bag.

By packing these essentials, you’ll be ready to fully enjoy the festival experience, no matter what comes your way. Now go forth and have some festival fun!