We know that going to a festival is no small task. You need to think about what to take for camping, what to wear, how much money to take and how to stay safe.
Luckily for you, our team at Brothers are seasoned festival-goers, and we have put together a small friendly guide with all our tips and tricks on how to prepare for a festival, and more importantly, what to pack.
Camping equipment
Two of the most important festival camping essentials that you will bring to a music event is your tent and sleeping bag.
Choose a warm sleeping bag because it may still get very cold at night even during the summer months. Bringing a pillow with you is always more comfortable for your head and will help you sleep better. If you are looking for some ‘next level’ comfort why not bring an air mattress?
Remember to bring a torch so you can make your way safely back to your tent in the dark, and a first-aid kit just in case of any minor accidents.
Even though there may be charging facilities on-site, another essential for us is a portable mobile phone charger so you can keep in contact with friends and family – and is always a good idea in case of an emergency.
Answering the call of nature
Although outdoor festivals provide portaloos or other facilities for festival-goers, you may not fancy waiting in a long queue or just cringe at the thought of using a portaloo on day three of a festival. This is where some disposable urinal bags may come in handy.
Don't forget to pack some toilet roll and in the absence of hand-washing facilities some wet wipes and hand sanitiser will go a long way! If you can't access a shower during your stay, then dry shampoo is a must.
If you can have a shower, then instead of taking a heavy towel to dry off with, try a sarong instead. They are much lighter to pack and carry and will dry out much quicker than a regular towel.
We would also recommend bringing a pair of flip flops or sliders to wear in the shower if the weather is nice. They are so much easier to slip on after a shower than trying to pull on your hiking boots or wellies!
Having fun in the sun
If you are lucky enough to have some warm weather, a high factor sun cream is an absolute must. Keep a lip balm in your bag or pocket and keep reapplying it during the day to prevent the sun from drying out your lips.
We would also recommend taking a hat that shades your face during the hottest part of the day and a cool, loose t-shirt to slip on to protect your arms and shoulders from sunburn.
Remember to pack a water bottle that is lightweight and easy to carry around with you. You can get dehydrated very quickly while outdoors in the sunshine, so make sure to take regular sips of water.
Packing a few water pistols can be a great way to have fun and keep cool on a hot day – remember not to cause too much carnage though and choose a place away from the crown to cool down with a water fight.
Pack for all weathers
As with all UK festivals, there is no guarantee of wall to wall sunshine, so it will help to pack for everything that the British weather can throw at you!
You will need a hoodie – this is a festival must-have, even in summer, it can get very cold at night, so bring a pair of woolly socks, a warm hat, gloves, and trousers. If you need a hoodie don't panic, Brothers Festival Hoodies are available direct from our Official Merchandise section on our website.
Rain showers are almost a given at a festival, so pack a simple cagoule or poncho to keep you dry if it rains. They pack up really small and don't take up much space in your rucksack.
Footwear is very important for festivals, so pack a pair of comfortable trainers or walking boots as you will be standing around for hours. To be on the safe side, pack a pair of flip flops, trainers and a pair of wellies too!
Food and drink
Check with the festival organisers whether you are allowed to bring your own drink. If so, remember most festival sites will not allow glass. Luckily for you, all our fan-favourite ciders are available in festival friendly cans. Shop online!
Another big factor in enjoying a festival is having a drink. Check out what's available and see if your festival has some Brothers Cider on offer. It's no problem if you are heading to Glastonbury Festival as our Brothers B-Bar is always easy to find near the West Holts Stage. 
Check with the festival organisers whether you are allowed to bring your own drink. If so, the best way to chill out and relax with your fest fam around your camping area is with a few cans of Brothers cider.
Festival checklist
So, we are at the age-old question of what to pack, and honestly, we always end up forgetting something in the excitement of the upcoming festival. So, below are our ‘go-to’ festival must-haves. Think of this as your personal festival essentials checklist:
- Ticket (need we say more?)
- Money / debit card
- ID (do you look under 25? Lucky!)
- Rucksack/bum bag
- Tent & tent pegs (don’t forget the mallet, too)
- Sleeping bag
- Pillow
- Camping mattress / air bed
- Weather appropriate clothing and footwear
- Fancy dress, glitter and make-up (it’s not a festival without glitter)
- Reusable water bottle
- Hat (to protect you from the sun…or the rain…)
- Torch
- Toilet roll (make sure you stock up)
- Sun cream (lets be optimistic)
- Dry shampoo
- First aid kit
- Wet wipes
- Bin bags (take your rubbish with you – leave no trace!)
- Duct tape
- Brothers Cider (duh!)
- Phone charger / power bank
- Snacks and drinks
- Hand sanitiser
Optional Extras:
- Berocca
- Camping chairs
- Earplugs
- Paracetamol / Ibuprofen
These are a few of our go-to festival essentials to get you started. It is easy to over pack for these events, so we would recommend only taking what you need, and putting luggage tags on your bags, just in case they get lost.
Remember to leave no trace. Take all your festival camping gear and belongings home with you and buy equipment that you can use again and again – you will save yourself a lot of money in the long run!
Stay safe and have fun, we will see you at the bar!
