The Top 10 Things NOT to Bring to a Festival

For camping, it is important not to cut any corners when it comes to investing in a good tent. An inexpensive tent made of less-than-amazing materials may seem fine when the sun is shining and the trance is blaring, but an unexpected deluge could have you waking up in a sea of kandi and instant noodles.

An Acoustic Guitar

Music festivals have plenty of—you guessed it—music! Therefore, it is not necessary to bring your dad’s old guitar and play tunes for your friends around the campfire. As much as it hurts, most people don’t need to hear your acoustic rendition of “We Found Love” as they’re trying to sleep.

Your Phone

I know, I know. Hear me out. Your phone masquerades as a practical device that can help you reach your friends or eternalize your memories through photos, but festivals are usually so busy that there is no signal anyway, and the risk of misplacing your phone in a flurry of festival trap and 24oz. Budweiser cans is high. Try going old-school.

Anything Expensive or Irreplaceable

Designer sunglasses or jewelry is easily lost, dropped or given away to your newfound best friend that gave you a bite of her pizza outside that one tent when that guy was playing that Rihanna remix of “Work” and you wanted to get up and dance but you couldn’t because pizza.

Your Entire Wardrobe

You know who they are: that friend who shows up to your car looking like they stepped off the set of Heat, carrying five different duffel bags filled to the brim, yet they somehow can’t seem to make a decision on what to wear come festival morning. Don’t be that person. Pack smart. Minimalism is key at a festival.

Inconvenient Clothing

Just say no to onesies or rompers. These may seem like comfortable items to wear to a festival, but unless you’ve mastered the art of removing them in confined spaces, you might find yourself standing buck naked in a pitch-black porta-pottie, praying you don’t slip and fall into oblivion.

Uncomfortable Shoes

It is essential to bring the right kind of footwear to a festival, and uncomfortable shoes are a definite no-no. Regardless of how cute your new Missoni dress looks with a pair of Steve Madden heeled booties, you will end up leaving them in a trashcan after the heels sink into the mud or snap off after going hard in the paint during the Caspa and Rusko b2b.

A Native American Headdress

You may have noticed the recent increase in discussions on something called “cultural appropriation.” Whatever your opinions may be about hijacking items representing minority cultures, turning them into fashion, and taking selfies in the middle of a field as though you’re about to go on some buffalo hunt sponsored by Hot Topic, you should probably skip the hair feathers and face paint if you hope to avoid heated political discussions with strangers.

Wads of Cash

Unless for some reason you have no financial worries whatsoever, you may want to leave your huge wads of cash at home. The excitement and the will to live in the moment can cloud your judgment, and you might wake up the following day regretting buying matching umbrella hats for your entire crew.

Negativity

Remember this: A festival can be quite a demanding adventure. The heat, the crowds, and the general lack of hygiene can get to you if you are not down for the music and the vibe. Make sure you go with a group of other positive flower children like yourself, who will not kill your spirit as soon as the first hangover hits or someone loses a shoe.

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