Festival season is officially here. Whether you’re heading to a weekend camping spectacular or just a one-day outdoor concert, a little bit of prep really does go a long way.
The difference between a brilliant time and a bit of a ‘mare often comes down to the stuff you sorted - or didn’t sort - in the days before. So, we’ve put together the ultimate survival guide to help you arrive ready, stay safe and make memories worth talking about for years.
Pick the right tent (and actually read the instructions).
First things first. If you’re camping, your tent is everything. And no, the one gathering dust at the back of the shed probably isn’t going to cut it. Check for broken poles, missing pegs and dodgy zips before you leave the house. There’s nothing worse than wrestling with a broken tent in the dark while it starts to drizzle.
Look for something with a decent waterproof rating - 3,000mm HH or above is solid - a proper sewn-in groundsheet and enough pegs to stay anchored in a bit of wind. Pop it up in the garden beforehand so you know exactly what you’re doing when you arrive on site. Trust us, it’ll save you a lot of faffing around.
Charge up before you head in.
Your phone is your lifeline at a festival. It’s your map, your torch, your camera and your way of finding your mates. So, make sure it’s fully charged before you leave the car park.
A portable power bank is an absolute must-have. Aim for at least 10,000mAh - that’s enough to top up most smartphones two or three times over. Charge it the night before and keep it in your day bag. Some festivals have dedicated charging stations, but the queues are usually long enough to test anyone’s patience. Come prepared and skip the wait entirely.
Share the moment without draining your battery.
Switch on Battery Saver or Low Power Mode once you dip below 30%. Turn on Airplane Mode in areas with no signal - your phone burns through battery searching for a network when there isn’t one. Lower your screen brightness, close background apps and keep video clips short. You really don’t need a 25-minute shaky recording of a support act.
Keep your phone secure in the crowd.
Big crowds and loose pockets aren’t exactly a match made in heaven. Pickpockets do target busy festival environments, so it pays to be smart about where you keep your phone. A bum bag or small crossbody bag worn at the front is your best friend here. If you’re heading into a particularly packed crowd, drop your phone into a zipped inside pocket or hold it flat against your body.
Stay connected with your data.
This is where your iD Mobile plan really earns its keep. Festivals are surprisingly data-heavy - between posting stories and checking stage times. Your allowance can disappear faster than wellies in the Glasto mud.
Before you head off, jump into the iD Mobile app and check how much data you’ve got left for the weekend. If you’re cutting it close, it’s easy to upgrade your plan or add a data bolt-on to keep you covered all weekend.
Download these useful apps.
- what3words
Makes it easy to share your exact location using three unique words. Ideal for finding friends in a crowded field when landmarks all start to look the same.
- Official Festival App
Most major festivals have their own app with maps, stage times, artist line-ups, personalised schedules and live updates.
- Find My (iPhone) / Find My Device (Android)
Helps you locate a lost phone, lock it remotely or wipe personal data if it falls into the wrong hands.
- AccuWeather or Met Office Weather Forecast
Keep an eye on changing conditions and get warnings about rain, wind or extreme heat before they hit.
- Toilet Finder
Not glamorous, but surprisingly handy for locating nearby public toilets before and after events, especially when travelling.
Pick a meeting point before you lose each other.
Mobile networks can become overloaded when tens of thousands of people are gathered in one place. Agree a physical meeting point in advance and set check-in times throughout the day. If messages are slow to send, you'll still know where to regroup.
A final word before you go.
Festivals and concerts are some of the best experiences life has to offer. A solid tent, a fully charged power bank, a few smart security habits and a reliable data plan mean you can focus on what actually matters - the music, the people and the stories you’ll be telling for years to come.
Got a festival survival tip that’s genuinely saved your day? Drop it in the comments below - we’d love to hear it.
