Tent. Hopefully you already have a camping tent that can double as a festival camping tent, but if not, check out the Wenzel Shenanigan Teepee Tent – it might be the ultimate festival tent. It looks cool, is easy to set up, and sleeps five comfortably. There is an 8-person version, too. If you have fewer people in your tent, you get to spread out. The three windows zip close, as do the screens on the doors. |  |
Sleeping Bag and Pillow. A lightweight sleeping bag will probably be fine for a summer festival survival kit. You could even get away with a couple blankets if you are somewhere hot. For music festival camping gear we prefer cheap, rectangular sleeping bags with soft interiors. Save the backpacking gear for backpacking.  |  |
Sleeping Pad. Unless you are under 15-years-old or passed out drunk, a sleeping pad is a music festival must have. Unlike the sleeping bag, I’d suggest investing in a decent pad so it doesn’t pop on you during the night. Put this on your stuff to bring camping list. | |
Cot. A cot is on our camping shopping list and will soon be one of our things to bring to a music festival. Since you are car camping, might as well be as comfortable as possible. | |
Tarp. At least one tarp needs to be on your music festival camping list. A tarp can be used for extra protection for your tent from rain, put it under the tent if you forget the footprint, to create a festival campsite outdoor room, to sit on if the ground is wet at the festival. You can even make a slip and slide out of it. | |
Camp Chairs. You can use the same chairs you bring to the festival, but we like higher chairs for the campsite, so these make our music festival camping list. This one is a rocker and has a drink holder – there is no reason to ever stand up.  |  |
Camp Table. Not everyone includes this as things to bring to a music festival, but I like having a workspace for cooking and eating, so it makes our music festival camping checklist. This table folds up really easily and is pretty sturdy. We’ve had it for years and never had a problem. | |
Cooler. Pack it with as much ice as possible and keep your food and beverages cold. | |
Stove. Not everyone wants to cook on vacation (*raises hand*), but being able to make tea or coffee in the morning means a stove is on our camping stuff list. Plus, sometimes you just don’t want to spend the money on festival food or want something a little healthier (or earlier in the day if the festival starts in the afternoon). We use our old double burner Coleman that will probably last forever. Don't forget the propane. |  |
Cooking Kit. Add a cooking kit to your things to bring to a music festival if you are bringing a stove. That means pots, pans, spatula, wooden spoon, matches, plates/bowls, utensils, biodegradable soap, a sponge, and paper towels. | |
Headlamp. You know, so you can see at night. Or read in your tent. Or shine around like a strobe light. Or use for a shadow puppet show. Or make sure there isn’t anything too weird in the porta potties. Just some festival camping ideas for your headlamp use.  |  |
Ear Plugs. Maybe it’s just me, but I want to go to sleep at some point so I can be ready to dance the next day. Ear plugs are on my camping festival packing list. I even wear them when the music is too loud. Yes, I am that person. | |
Phone Charger. If you want to get your Instagrams, you are going to need to keep your phone battery charged. If you are looking for festival gear for guys as a gift, a solar charger could be the thing. Gals like them, too. | |
Decorations. You need some music festival campsite decorations. Not only is it a fun music festival campsite idea, it can help you find your tent in the sea of tents (another reason for that teepee tent – it stands out. Solar powered string lights, flags, and tapestries are all fun things to bring to a music festival. | |
Paddleboard. It has to be the right location if you think a stand up paddleboard is what to pack for a music festival. Fortunately for us, we often attend music fests near lakes or rivers. Getting into the water (or on top of it) is a great way to cool down, get some exercise, and have fun before the music starts. I have this SUP from Body Glove and try to take it everywhere I go. | |
Frisbee, Yoga Mat, Hacky Sack. If you are looking for what to bring to a festival camping that’s fun, entertaining, and small, a disc, yoga mat, or hacky sack fits the bill, and fits in your car. A guitar or tambourine or other things to make campsite time fun are music festival necessities. | |
Kindle or Book. I think a book or Kindle is what to take to a music festival, though some might be playing too hard to read. When there is still noise at midnight and I can’t sleep, I like to pull out my Kindle and read. That’s just one of my music festival camping tips. | |