Top tips for camping at a festival
- Published date:
- 8th March 2024
- Author:
- Three Festival Team
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Camping is great fun, but can also be tough; make sure you’re prepared!
Festival season is nearly here! To help you get ready to take to the fields, here's our top tips for camping.
The mud. The rain. The heat. The smells. For many festival-goers, camping is an essential part of the experience. While it can be a lot of fun, camping at a music festival can get a little challenging, especially if you’re not braced for it.
⏰ Get there early
It’s a cold, muddy fact; the best camping spots get snapped up quickly. So you’ll definitely want to try to arrive as early as possible to secure a good place. Ideally, aim to get there on the first day of the festival to give yourself the best chance of getting a good pitch. And have a look at the site layout to pick the rough area you’d like to aim for; it could save you an hour of wandering around aimlessly.
🎒 Pack wisely
Before you pack, make a list of essentials, nice-to-haves, and bonus items. So, your tent, sleeping bag, waterproofs, toothbrush etc. are all essentials. Multiple stylish outfits are in the ‘nice-to-have’ pile, and bonus items are things like eco-friendly glitter and face paint. Overpacking means more luggage to carry and less spare room in your tent. Pack smart, you're only there for a weekend!
🏕 Bring a good-quality tent
Your tent is your home while you’re at the festival, so it’s worth investing in a good-quality one. Look for a tent that’s easy to pitch, spacious enough, and absolutely, definitely waterproof. It’s also a good idea to bring a groundsheet or tarp to protect your tent from any water that might seep in. Remember to bring your tent home and leave the field as you found it.
📲 Stay Connected
Ensure you’re connected to Three, the UK’s fastest 5G network*. Festivals are known for having terrible signal... but not when you’re on Three. We’re on-site across the UK’s biggest festivals to keep you connected. From uploading stories to calling your mates during their favourite act, we’ve got your back. Not on Three? Take a look at our plans including SIM-only and Pay As You Go.
😎 Be respectful of your neighbours
You’ll be camping in close quarters with lots of other festival-goers, so it’s important to be respectful of your neighbours. Keep noise levels down and avoid playing loud music when people around you might be trying to sleep. You don’t want to be the reason they don’t enjoy the next day. And make sure you always dispose of your rubbish in the designated bins – don’t leave any litter lying around as it can cause a potential health risk, as well as being bad for the environment.
😴 Bring earplugs and an eye mask
Even if you’re a heavy sleeper, it’s a good idea to bring earplugs and an eye mask to help you get a good night’s sleep. Festivals can be noisy places, with music and chatting well into the night. And your eye mask will help block out the natural light which obviously gets into tents easier than it does at home! If earplugs aren’t your thing, maybe pre-download some white noise on your phone, or listen to your favourite calming music or audio books to help you drift off.
📱 Get these app-solute essentials
- Official festival apps - These are an essential guide for your visit and will keep you updated with all the latest set-times. Plus, most of the apps include a handy site map to help you find your way around the festival and campsites.
- Three+ rewards - If you’re on our network, download the Three+ rewards app to access exclusive offers and treats at some of the UK’s biggest festivals. Plus, find everyday rewards like £1 coffee and £3 cinema tickets to enjoy when you’re not partying hard!
🥤 Stay hydrated
Bring plenty of water with you, but also make sure you’ve got a reusable water bottle so that you can refill and drink regularly throughout the day. Our top tip is to refill your bottle whenever you see a free water station – even if you’ve still got a lot left – as you never know how long it might be until you’ve got another chance.
🧻 Don’t forget your toiletries
You might not be able to have a full-on shower at a festival, but you’ll still need a few basic toiletries to stay clean and keep germs to a minimum across the weekend. So, arm yourself with wet wipes, hand sanitizer, any medication, and toilet paper – it’s always, always a good idea to have loo roll or pack of tissues with you!
✌ Stay safe
Music festivals are meant to be fun, and most of the time, you’ll come away with some of your favourite memories for life. But accidents do happen, and sometimes all that excitement can get out of hand. So, make sure you know where the medical tents are located. Stick with your friends, especially at night. Bring sunscreen, paracetamol, and anything else you might need. And avoid going to any secluded areas alone.
The main thing to remember when you’re camping is to have fun. Enjoy being outdoors. Enjoy being with your friends – and most of all, enjoy the music.
*Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data for Q3-Q4 2023.
