It’s one week before EDC and you’re fretting.
It’s your first rave party and even though you’ve heard so much about it, you’re still not exactly sure how to prepare…
What should you bring?
Where will you stay?
… and what the heck should you wear?
Each year these festivals are becoming more popular and crowded as young dance music fans around the world rush to see their favorite acts.
Yet as the popularity of these events grow, there seems to be more and more young ravers’ turning up woefully unprepared for the festivities.
Packing for a festival can be a daunting task, especially if it is your first.
So, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to create a definitive guide for festival preparation.
Remember: that festivals are typically held in huge outdoor venues.
They can last all night long or even days like the famous Tomorrow-land in Belgium, the Ultra Music Festival in Miami, and the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, that take 3-days.
So when preparing for your next festival, make sure to put some thought into it.
Otherwise, you could end up spending the entire festival with the medics!
Not cool.
So make sure to follow these tips, and use them as a checklist so you don’t forget a thing and you can truly have one of the most extraordinary experiences of your life.
Plan Well In Advance
Not everyone is lucky enough to have a world-class music festival in their home city (or even country!).
So in addition to your ticket, other prices such as accommodation and transportation need to be included for in your budget.
Many of us need to road-trip, take a bus, train or fly, to get to the event.
So… bear in mind that plane tickets typically increase in price as the departure date gets closer, especially when there is an upcoming festival.
So try to get your tickets, whether it be by bus, train or plane, at least 3 months in advance.
When it comes to accommodation, those who are looking for a cheap stay camping packages are the way to go.
Campsites are typically closer to the festivities and can be the perfect environment to make friends from all over the world.
Hotels are a good option for a sound night’s sleep, warm showers and some quiet time away from the festival.
However, for these luxuries, you’ll also need a bigger budget. With either option booking well in advance will save you some cash.
Buying your festival ticket early also helps you save money.
You should try to get your ticket as soon as they become available to take advantage of early bird prices.
To do this you’ll want to subscribe to your favorite festival’s web pages to receive updates on the coming events and to be the first to know when tickets come on sale.
Know the set times
We all want to enjoy our favorite DJs perform, but unfortunately, there is always some sort of artist overlap.
You’re best to check all the set times before the event, take note of what time and at which stage your favorite artists are playing.
Then if there is any overlap, you can plan out your day to see your favorite acts and make compromises where necessary.
Get A Rave Outfit
Keeping in mind that you are going to be doing a lot of dancing, the best way to dress is with comfortable clothes, including sunglasses (especially the diffraction ones), hats, bandanas, and backpacks.
Shorts, sneakers and tank tops are the most common outfit for guys. You’ll also see some guys who have added EL wires to make their outfits glow and their dance moves pop.
Girls too wear light-up clothing.
They also love to combine it with specific accessories like tutus and warmers to create a fabulous costume.
Annoyingly the weather can get bad at festivals, so make sure you’re prepared and don’t forget to bring a poncho or rain jacket to the party.
Pack Some Rave Gloves
These are the coolest and newest accessory to wear during festivals.
These gloves have many colored lights in your fingers so that you can draw lunatic shapes while you are making your best dance moves.
Hit the lights on your set of rave gloves to be the envy of everyone on the dance floor.
Bring A Flag
Another key to truly enjoying your festival experience is to bring your favorite flag.
Many proud ravers like to show their support and bring a flag from their country, state, or favorite sports team.
Also, bringing flag can make for some incredible panoramic and overhead shots.
Good Vibes Only
Festivals are all about bringing people together to enjoy, celebrate, and have a damn good time.
Be sure to load yourself with the best vibes, get ready to dance with old and new friends.
Be polite and responsible with yourself and others, and remember that we are all there for the same reason to have fun and memorable experiences.
Remember The Essentials
Finally don’t forget the essentials: some cash, identification, and your phone.
It’s a good idea to bring a GoPro camera, or selfie stick for your phone to capture the best moments. Some music can be useful when waiting in the line to enter to the festival so having a full charge and an additional portable battery is always a good idea.
Now you are ready to go!
Remember these tips to make your festival experience a wonderful and memorable one.
(NOTE: Packing for a rave can be tough. Want to make sure you don’t forget anything? Get our step-by-step festival packing checklist of all the essentials you’ll need for your next rave.)
