Whether you’re going to Glastonbury or Coachella, your first music festival is going to be an amazing experience. You’ll meet hundreds of new people, make plenty of new friends, try foods from around the world, experience art installations like no other, and above all, see some of the best bands and solo artists in the world. To ensure you have a good time, you need to make sure you’ve packed all the right essentials – being sun burnt or soaked from heavy rain won’t make you enjoy the weekend away! When you’re at a festival, daily essentials can be hard to come by, so it’s always better to pack more than you need. So, make sure that you’ve got a good backpack, fitted by a professional – it’ll be heavier than you think, and you might have to carry it for quite a while, depending on where you’re camping.

Items for your normal morning routine

Whichever way you plan to spend your days and nights at a festival, you’ll want to wake up feeling fresh and ready to take on the coming day’s activities. So, try to pack everything you’d use in the mornings while at home. Toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturizer and antiperspirants are vital. As are face wipes and make-up remover – even if you don’t plan on wearing any! A mirror will also come in use, as well as all of your normal make-up items. If you wear contact lenses, don’t forget to bring plenty of solution and hand-sanitizer gel. Likewise, if you take medication on a daily basis, bring plenty of it – you never know what you might need.

Shower substitutes

If you’re at a festival, you’re going to get sweaty, muddy and covered in glitter. There’s unlikely to be many showers around (and if there are, there will be queues like no other), so you need to think up ways to substitute getting clean. Body wipes, like wet wipes, are great for a quick clean, but you might want to think about bringing a solar shower or a foldable bucket so you can have a quick douse in water! Likewise, dry shampoo is a must if you have long hair – though wearing a head scarf or bandana will cover up the worst of greasy roots.

Safety items

Try to pack a mini first aid kit: plasters (especially blister plasters) will always come in handy, as will antiseptic creams, sun lotion and after sun cream. You’ll also need a torch for venturing out of your tent at night – if you need the toilet in the early hours of the morning, you won’t want to risk climbing over guy-ropes in the dark! Here are some of the best tactical flashlights on the market, so you won’t have to worry about falling and hurting yourself.

Clean clothes

Always bring more clothes than you think you’ll need, especially when it comes to socks and underwear. If you’re heading to a festival in the UK or Europe, waterproof, comfy footwear is essential – you can’t trust the rain not to arrive. Wellington boots or walking boots are a great idea, though make sure you’ve broken them in and have the right socks. When it comes to normal clothes, pack items that are comfy and easy to move around it. Bring plenty of layers, so you’re ready for when it gets cooler at night. Don’t forget to bring any fancy dress pieces too!