Festival Tips & Tricks

Here’s a list of my favourite festival survival tips!

This may be too late for some of you, and it may not be relevant to others, but Damn it, I’m going to Boardmasters tomorrow and have been trying to continuously remind myself of various ways to cope with the terrible toilets, horrible hangovers and possibly s**t weather.

Here are my top tips:

1. Practice setting up your tent beforehand
   Or at least read the instructions. This way, you’ll prevent looking like an idiot when you realise you only packed two tent pegs. And for God’s sakes invest in a double skin tent like this one* so you don’t get leaks!
2. Read the Damn rules and FAQs
   Firstly, it might be useful to know where the car park is and when it opens, and secondly, no one is going to be impressed when you show up with a load of things you’re not allowed. Triple check whether you’re allowed a camping stove or not.
3. Leave a spare change of clothes in the car
   The car is your safe haven, and if all else is ruined by crap weather and mud, you’ll be glad to have a warm, dry outfit waiting for you. 
4. Choose your spot tactically
   Not so close to the path that you can hear stragglers late at night, but not so far that you get terrifyingly lost either. Not so close to the loos that you can smell/hear them, but not so far than you have to walk miles when nature calls. Identify nearby landmarks to ensure your safe return, and for God’s sake, don’t pitch up at the bottom of a hill! 
5. Bring Duct tape!
   This incredible item can be used for: tent tear repairs, tent pole ‘bandages’, shoe/boot leakage patches and more. (You can actually buy some pretty cute looking duct tape*! Thank me later…)
6. Plan your schedule beforehand
   Once you’re there, you’ll probably get caught up in some sort of random shenanigans, so make a schedule beforehand so that you don’t have to faff around to find a timetable every 10 minutes.
7. Don’t forget plastic bags and binbags
   There are also ridiculously handy items. Bag up wet/muddy clothes, use them to keep your butt dry when sat, or to use as tent patches with your Duct tape.
8. Arrange a ‘Meeting Point’
   If your group get separated, you will be grateful for this tip. Obviously you can say ‘If we get lost, meet back at the tent’, but that can be really annoying if you’re on the other side of the festival, so find a sensible place within the arena and stick to it.

I don’t feel I have to tell y’all to ‘stay hydrated’, ‘put sun cream on’ and ‘be safe around alcohol’ etc. Are we not adults?

*Indicates affiliate links; but please know I wouldn’t recommend anything here if I didn’t use and love it myself!

What are your best festival survival tips?