💰 Budgeting & Money Tips

Festival trips can get expensive fast, but with smart planning, you can have fun without breaking the bank.

Sample Festival Budget Breakdown

Consider looking into a number of options and piece together what works best for you. Take into account your preferences and those of your travel companions.

Money-Saving Strategies

1. Buy tickets early: Early bird and presale prices can save you 20-30%
2. Split lodging costs: Find friends or join festival Radiate groups to share rooms
3. Pack your own food: Stop at a grocery store and stock up on snacks and drinks to avoid paying inflated prices at the festivals
4. Set a daily spending limit: Buy what you can ahead of time, then track your spending carefully
5. Use festival shuttles: Often cheaper, quicker, and more efficient than rideshares during surge pricing

🎒 Packing Essentials

What you pack can make or break your festival experience. Here's my tried-and-true packing list after years of trial and error.

The Must-Haves

• Comfortable shoes: You can walk 30,000+ steps per day – and blisters aren't fun!
• Portable phone charger: Bring a portable charger and a ziploc bag to keep it safe in the event of rain.
• Ear protection: High-fidelity earplugs preserve sound quality while protecting hearing
• Hydration pack: Most festivals have free filtered water stations for filling them up, saves money and reduces waste
• Valid ID: Required for entry at all festivals
• Sunscreen: Even if it doesn't feel warm, the sun can still be out. Stay properly protected
• Rain Protection: Ponchos are my favorite here, they fold up neatly and can be easily stored in a pocket or bag

Pro Packing Tips

1. Roll, don't fold: Saves space and reduces wrinkles in festival outfits
2. Separate daily outfits: Set everything you want to bring out before you start packing, this helps prevent overpacking
3. Bring extras: Extra socks, underwear, and shoes are vital in the event you get caught in the rain
4. Test everything: Try out your chargers, lights, totems, etc. at home before packing
5. Keep medications in original containers: Loose or mislabeled medications can cause headaches at the airport, hotel and festival

🛡️ Safety & Wellness

Your safety is the top priority. No set is worth risking it.

Stay Safe

• Stay hydrated: Drink water consistently, heat stroke and dehydration are real risks
• Keep in touch with friends: Set up meeting points with friends and utilize bluetooth location sharing applications (cell service often cuts out due to crowd density)
• Check the festival map: Make note of water stations, stages, and medical tents
• Trust your instincts: If something feels wrong, find a staff member. Don't be afraid to give up your spot if you feel overcrowded
• Protect your valuables: Use zipper pockets, phone tethers, and secure bags to keep your items safe
• Pace yourself: Multi-day festivals are marathons, take breaks and nourish yourself
• Take screenshots: Capture important information like set times, maps, and emergency contacts on your phone to overcome service disruptions

Health Priorities

1. Sleep: You'll have more fun if you're well rested, listen to your body
2. Eat real food: Balance snacks with real meals
3. Sunscreen & shade: Reapply as needed (most festivals will not allow opened or aerosol containers)
4. Hearing protection: Earplugs may seem uncool, but keeping your ears safe is the coolest
5. Take breaks: Dont be afraid to escape the corwd and make use of "chill zones" often designated at festivals with their own activities and themes
6. Know who to trust: While most festival goers are kind and generous, do not take anything offered by strangers

✨ Things to Bring ✨

Beyond the basics, these items will enhance your festival experience across the board.

Festival Game-Changers

• Electrolytes: Bring a few of your favorite mixes to help stay hydrated
• Folding hand fan: Try using a custom design to express your personality
• Totems or flags: Share your creativity while keeping track of each other (check festival guidelines for totem/flag poles)
• Kandi & trinkets: PLUR culture thrives on trading handmade kandi bracelets and little oddities (think resin chickens & plastic sprouts)
• Portable speaker: For the campsite or hotel room, the music never stops!
• Festival compliant bag: Some festivals require clear bags or limit sizes, check rules ahead of time, and bring a backup

Comfort Items

• Nighttime earplugs: You never know who in your group might be a snorer
• Sleep mask: If you're settling down while the sun's coming up, these are your best friends
• Chapstick: Chapped lips can cause all kinds of discomfort
• Noise cancelling headphones: Great for the plane or some downtime
• Pashmina: Outfit accessory, makeshift blanket, extra padding, sun protection, incredibly useful!

🌟 Casey's Favorite Products

These are the products I've personally used and absolutely recommend. BassAtlas has no sponsorships or affiliate partnerships - these are genuine favorites!

Ear Protection

High-fidelity earplugs are an absolutenecessity for me. They preserve sound quality and prevent ringing afterwards.

Eargasm High Fidelity Earplugs Loop Experience 2

Hydration Packs

Investing in a high quality hydration pack is well worth it. Look for anti-theft features and comfortable straps.

Lunchbox Hydration Pack (Cloud Mesh) RaveRunner GLOBAL DANCE Hydration Pack

Phone Tether

Keep your phone secure in the crowd. A good tether prevents theft with sturdy build quality and a cut resistant cord.

ClutchLoop

Comfortable Footwear

Your feet and lower back will thank you. These have kept me going for those 30,000+ daily steps.

On CloudMonster 2 Hoka Clifton 10

Ponchos

Rain can be unpredicatble. These ponchos pack down small and keep you dry and warm in a pinch.

PTEROMY Hooded Rain Poncho COOFANDY Rain Poncho

Toiletry Organizers

TSA-approved travel bottles make packing a breeze, whether you're camping or in a hotel.

INSFIT Silicone Travel Bottles 18-Pack Travel Bottles Set

Bags

The right bag keeps your essentials secure and accessible. Belt bags are perfect for festivals, but check out accessories for your hydro pack!

Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 1L On Waist Pack 2L Lite Lunchbox Extra Storage Skin

Pashminas

The ultimate festival accessory! A blanket, sun shade, accessory, and more all in ONE!

Pashmaniac "Sweet Tooth VIP" Reversible Pashmaniac "Most Wanted" Reversible