Picture taken by HAPPIERDAYZZ, Gem & Jam 2023
Have you ever been to a camping music festival? They are an absolute blast! I will be going to my third one in a few weeks. I’d be happy to give you some tips and essentials for an amazing experience.
First things first, when it comes to camping music festivals, preparation is key. Here are some must-haves to make your adventure a success.
Let’s dive in!
1. A tent: A reliable and easy-to-set-up tent is a must. Look for one that’s spacious enough for you and your friends, and weather-resistant to keep you and your stuff dry if it rains.
2. A sleeping bag, blanket, and camping mat: to ensure a good night’s sleep bring a quality sleeping bag, a fluffy blanket, and a comfortable camping mat. Trust me, you’ll appreciate the extra padding and warmth!
3. Camping chairs and foldable tables: Having a comfortable place to sit and relax is essential. Camping chairs are perfect for chilling out between sets. A foldable table comes in handy for mealtime or crafts like making last-minute Kandi to trade.
4. A cooler and food supplies: Keep your food and drinks fresh with a reliable cooler. Don’t forget to pack easy-to-cook meals, snacks, and plenty of water to stay hydrated throughout the festival. Freezing water bottles and putting them in the cooler will help keep the ice longer, and you will have extra water once melted.
5. Portable grill or camping stove: If you’re a foodie like me and prefer cooking your own meals, a portable grill or camping stove is a game-changer. Just make sure to check the festival’s rules regarding open flames.
6. A portable phone charger and/or solar panel: Festival days can be long, and you’ll want to capture all those amazing moments. A portable phone charger will keep your devices juiced up and ready to go. With a solar power charging panel you won’t need to worry about your portable dying. It is convenient as there are outlets right in the solar panel.
7. Sunscreen and bug spray: Protect your skin from the sun’s rays and pesky bugs. Apply sunscreen liberally and bring along some bug spray to keep those critters at bay.
8. Comfortable clothing and footwear: Keep an eye on the weather leading up so you can prepare accurately. Opt for lightweight and breathable clothing that suits the weather. Pack a rain jacket or poncho, just in case. Comfortable footwear is a must for all the dancing you’ll be doing! I enjoy a good pair of boots, I usually thrift mine.
9. Cash and ID: While many festivals accept card payments, it’s always a good idea to have some cash on hand for vendors or any unexpected expenses. Please look into preferred payments as some festivals have gone far enough to eliminate any cash or card payments, you link your card to the wristband. Don’t forget your ID for age verification if you plan on enjoying adult beverages.
10. Setting the vibe at camp: Tapestries are great to hang around the canopy for privacy. I’ve seen videos on TikTok, they bring a mini blow-up pool, fill it with their favorite blankets/plushies for top tier cuddle puddles. Also, a blow up couch, solar lights, disco ball, or anything else that tickles your fancy. It helps to bring an outdoor mat so you can walk barefoot around your area, and don’t forget the broom to keep your area clean.
Check out @emacthadon on TikTok for their incredible camp set ups. It looks so cozy!
11. Warming supplies: Most festivals are usually somewhere in a field, whether it’s summer or winter it’ll most likely get chilly in the evenings. Hot hands are nice to put in your pocket to keep warm. I’ve recently heard of HotSnapz which is the same concept but reusable. Bring a propane heater to keep your crew warm, it saved us from a miserable time at Gem and Jam 2023.
12. Cooling supplies: A canopy comes in handy during the day so you don’t overheat at camp or in your tent. The more the better. A spray bottle and battery powered fan to keep you cool on hot days. Please don’t spray directly in someone’s face unless requested.
13. Heavy Duty Stakes & Mallet: Bring enough so you can stake everything, that the wind could catch, down on all four sides. It helps if you put them in the dirt at an angle. There have been way too many horror stories of camps getting set up, then the wind picks up all of a sudden. There are tents and canopy’s flying in the air bound to knock someone out or worse. So let’s keep everyone safe!
Check out @alexvnueva8 on TikTok to see the full video of the incident at Coachella. There are many other videos just like this one.
14. Festival essentials: Bring along a camelback, small backpack, or fanny pack (check bag guidelines) to carry your essentials. Such as your phone, wallet, Kandi, and any other miscellaneous items. DO NOT forget your festival tickets and wristbands!
15. Car Camping: If you plan on car camping, rather than free walk-in camping, you most likely want to be next to all of your friends. It works best if you all meet somewhere 5-10 minutes out and follow each other into the festival. The first person in the caravan will tell the employee how many cars you are camping with. If a random car happens to get into the caravan line simply let the employee know they will usually have the car sit to the side.
16. Ear Plugs: To protect your ears from the loud music inside the venue and to help you sleep at night or sleep into the morning. Quality rest is key for staying on the dance floor. Camp neighbors are usually respectful but there are some who play music into the early morning while hanging with other people, usually called a renegade. So.. earplugs are very helpful. I personally use Loop earplugs, they are super comfortable.
17. GO WITH THE FLOW AND HAVE FUN: If you aren’t vibing go ahead and change your setting. Explore some art, check out a different stage and artist, or grab a bite to eat. As long as you have your phone and tell your crew where you are going before you leave, side quests are always a great idea.
That is all for now, I hope this helps! If you find my tips helpful or have any tips for me let me know, I would love to hear from you. And do not be afraid of going to a festival solo, just make sure people know where you are going.
Much love, Happierdayz ahead!
– @Happierdayzz