Heat, rain and camping at outdoor music festivals

Drink water through the day

Dehydration builds slowly when you are busy and distracted. Drink water regularly instead of waiting until you feel thirsty, and use the free water points that many festivals provide. Alcohol and caffeine add to fluid loss, so alternate them with water. Eat proper meals, since salty food helps your body hold on to water in the heat.

Know the signs of heat illness

Heat exhaustion can include heavy sweating, dizziness, headache, nausea, cramps and feeling weak. If you or a friend has these signs, move to shade, sip water, loosen clothing and rest. Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Signs can include confusion, a very high body temperature, hot skin and fainting. Get help from on-site medical staff or emergency services right away.

Find the medical tent when you arrive. Festival medical and welfare teams are there to help, and they treat people without judgment. For health questions before the trip, talk to a doctor or pharmacist, and see official public health guidance on heat.

Protect yourself from the sun

• Wear a hat and sunglasses, and reapply sunscreen through the day.
• Take breaks in shade during the hottest hours.
• Choose light, loose clothing that covers your shoulders.
• Plan to see the acts you care about most later in the day if you can.

Rain, mud and cold nights

Weather at outdoor events can change quickly. Check the forecast before you leave and again each morning. A poncho keeps you drier than an umbrella in a crowd, and many events ban umbrellas anyway. Waterproof boots help in mud, and a dry pair of socks at night makes a big difference.

Nights can be much colder than days, even in summer. Pack warm layers, and sleep in dry clothes rather than what you wore all day.

Storms and severe weather

Organizers watch the weather and may pause shows or ask people to shelter during lightning or high winds. Follow staff instructions, and know where the nearest shelter or your car is. A tent does not protect you from lightning.

Sleeping in a tent

1. Pitch on higher ground, away from paths and dips where water collects.
2. Use the guy lines and pegs so the tent holds in wind and rain.
3. Bring a sleeping pad, since the cold comes up from the ground.
4. Pack earplugs and an eye mask for noise and early light.
5. Keep valuables with you, or in a locker if the event offers one.

Leave no trace

Take your tent and gear home, sort trash into the bins provided, and leave your pitch clean. Abandoned tents and camping gear are a real problem at large festivals, and they end up as waste.