This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at FSU chapter.
Festival season is upon us. If you’re anything like me, you’ve been counting down the days until you take off to whatever music festival you’ve managed to score tickets to. But before you head out to your festival of choice, there are a few things you should consider to ensure you have the best possible time.
- It is impossible to see every act on the line-up. The earlier you can come to terms with this fact, the better. Festival line-ups can feature over 100 acts, so chances are, there are going to be multiple artists you want to see that are going to play at the same time at opposite ends of the venue. You can try to split up your time and just see partial sets, but you end up spending more time running back and forth between stages than you do actually seeing the show. After you’ve made the tough decision of what artists you’re going to sacrifice, make a game plan, write it down, and bring it with you to the festival. It will make your life ten times easier. If you happen to have any open time slots in your schedule, don’t be afraid to check out artists you don’t know – you might find your new favorite.
- Picking your outfits for the weekend is more important than you might think. There is way more to consider when planning your outfits for a festival than you might think. You’re going to be on your feet all day, so comfortable shoes are a must. You also need to take the weather into consideration, especially when it comes to your shoe choice. We all know how awful it is getting caught in the rain with canvas shoes on. If it does rain, rain boots are highly encouraged. Also, think about how functional your clothing choices are. Will your high-waisted shorts hurt your back after wearing them all day? Is your strapless bra going to hold you up while you’re jumping in the crowd? I know you really want to look cute, but take it from someone who has made the mistake of putting style first at a festival; make your first priority comfort and practicality.
- The contents of your bag can make or break your festival experience. People tend to make the mistake of bringing too much stuff with them and then having to carry it around all day. Make sure you’re only packing the essentials. Some key items to bring are sunscreen, cash, your I.D. (if you plan on drinking), a plastic watch, Advil, and a disposable camera. Most of the stuff is self explanatory, but the disposable camera and watch are so you don’t kill your phone’s battery. Checking the time and taking pictures will leave you with a dead phone at the end of the night and no way to find your friends.
- A reusable water bottle will be your very best friend. Festivals, especially the ones during the summer, are extremely hot, and it’s super easy to get dehydrated. It’s important to drink a lot, and I mean a lot, of water throughout the day. Festivals usually have a free refilling station that you can bring a reusable bottle to. If you want to get really fancy, you can buy a wearable CamelBak so you don’t have to carry your bottle around all day. I highly recommend you invest in a reusable water bottle to save you money on buying 6 water bottles during the day, and it also helps out the environment – why shouldn’t you get one?