Music Treks

Packing list

Packing list for concerts and music festivals

Pack for the entry rules first and your comfort second. A great list is useless if security turns your bag away at the gate.

Small clear bag, foam earplugs, a refillable water bottle, sunglasses and a folded rain poncho laid out on a wooden floor
A small clear bag with the basics for a day at an outdoor show.

Read the bag rules

Many venues and festivals limit bag size, and some allow only clear bags or small clutches. Check the organizer's official website for the current policy, along with the list of banned items. Common bans include glass, large umbrellas, professional cameras, folding chairs and outside food or drink, though rules vary widely.

For every show

  • Ticket on your phone, opened once offline
  • Photo ID, and a copy kept apart from it
  • Payment card plus a backup card stored separately
  • Earplugs, with a spare pair
  • Small backup battery and short cable, if allowed
  • Any medicines you need, in original packaging
  • Comfortable shoes you have already worn in
  • A light layer for when the evening cools down

For outdoor shows

  • Sunscreen, in a size and container the rules allow
  • Hat and sunglasses
  • Empty refillable water bottle, if allowed
  • Rain poncho in place of an umbrella
  • Hand sanitizer and a small pack of tissues
  • Bandana or face covering for dusty sites

For festival camping

  • Tent you have pitched at least once before
  • Sleeping bag rated for the night temperatures
  • Sleeping pad or air mattress
  • Head lamp or small flashlight
  • Warm layers and dry socks for the night
  • Small padlock and a bag to keep valuables with you
  • Trash bags, to leave the campsite clean
  • Basic first aid items

What to leave at home

Bring as few valuables as you can. Leave expensive jewelry, spare cards and anything you would hate to lose at your room or at home. If you take medicines that need to travel through security, check the venue's rules and carry a copy of the prescription. When crossing borders, check the official rules on medicines for the country you are entering.

Packing tips

  1. Lay everything out a few days before and check it against the event's rules.
  2. Pack a small day bag for the show and a separate bag for the room or tent.
  3. Put your ID, card and phone in a zipped front pocket or a pouch you can keep in front of you.
  4. Write your group's meeting point and an emergency contact on paper, in case your phone dies.
Can I bring my own water into a festival?

Many festivals allow an empty refillable bottle and provide free water points, while others ban outside bottles. Check the official policy for the event, since it differs from one to the next.