Every year you stand at the entrance and think: do I have everything? A festival day is long, the grounds are big, and walking back to your car for something you forgot can easily cost you an hour. This checklist helps you go through everything before you leave, from the things you truly need to the extras that make your day a little easier.
Before you leave: documents and access
- Ticket or QR code, digital and as a screenshot in case you have no signal
- ID
- Festival wristband, if you received one by mail beforehand
- Payment card, many festivals are cashless and no longer accept cash
Clothing and weather protection
- Clothing that matches the forecast, but expect surprises
- Foldable rain poncho, even if it's forecast to be dry
- Sturdy shoes that can handle mud and standing for hours
- Sunscreen, even on cloudy days
- An extra layer for when it cools down in the evening
- Earplugs with acoustic filter, to protect your hearing without dulling the music
Electronics and staying reachable
- Phone fully charged
- Power bank of at least 5,000 mAh, plus charging cable
- Agree on a meeting point with your group, in case you lose signal or your phone dies
Practical items for the day
- Small bag or hip bag to carry your things without a backpack
- Cash as backup in case a payment card doesn't work
- Plasters, for blisters or small wounds
- Paracetamol or a basic first aid kit
Food and drink
- Empty, refillable water bottle if the festival has water refill points
- Snack for on the go, think a bar or nuts for when the food truck lines are long
- Chewing gum, nice after a long day
Hands free: the part people often forget
Almost every festival now uses a deposit cup that you carry around all day. Good for the environment, but not always easy to hold while dancing or taking photos. A festival cup holder, like Festiclip, clips onto your waistband or belt, and your cup stays safely attached. That keeps your hands free and you won't lose your cup in the crowd.
Read more about how the deposit system works exactly in deposit cups at festivals: how it works. And if you want to know what a cup holder actually is and how to attach it, check what is a festival cup holder.
Extras that make your day a bit easier
- Small mirror, handy for makeup or just checking yourself
- Hair tie, useful when it gets warm on the dance floor
- Festival map, or a screenshot of it, in case you have no signal
- Spare battery or cable for a smartwatch or wireless earbuds
Want more inspiration for smart festival gear? Check our extended list in festival gadgets 2026: what to bring.
What to leave at home
- Large backpack or suitcase, it often won't pass the security check or is banned on site
- Glass bottles or cans, usually not allowed
- Valuable jewellery, easy to lose in a crowd
Checklist by moment of the day
It helps to not just look at your items by category, but also by the moment you'll need them.
On arrival: ticket, ID, payment card and festival wristband ready in your pocket or bag, so the entrance line moves quickly.
During the day: water bottle, snack, earplugs and your cup holder, these are the things you'll need again and again, and they're most useful within reach instead of buried deep in your bag.
In the evening: extra layer of clothing, charged phone or power bank, and knowing where to return your deposit cup before the return points close.
Organising your things this way means you'll empty your whole bag less often just to find something.
Print or save this list
Go through this checklist a day in advance and lay everything out. That way you're not panicking at the door looking for your charger or rain poncho. A well-prepared festival day starts with a well-packed bag, and that starts with this list.