Summer Festival Essentials: 10 Must-Brings for the Ultimate Outdoor Vibe
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When the sun’s out and the music’s loud, there’s nothing better than hitting your favorite summer festival. But whether you’re grooving to reggae in the desert or chasing Deadhead vibes, being prepared makes all the difference. These are my top 10 personal picks that have saved me (and my crew) at festivals across the country, more times than I can count.
Please check your festivals website for their most up-to-date policies on what may or may not be allowed.
1. Clear Bag – Affordable & Fashionable Options
Most festivals now require clear bags for entry, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up function or style. This budget-friendly clear shoulder bag is a great everyday pick—simple, roomy, and gets the job done for a fraction of the price. It’s perfect if you’re looking for something practical, compliant, and easy to clean.
Want something with more fashion cred? This Coach Clear Shoulder Bag blends high-end design with just enough space for your festival must-haves. It’s hands-free, venue-approved, and brings a little luxe flair to your look.
Shop Budget-Friendly Clear Bag on Amazon
Shop Coach Clear Festival Purse on Amazon
2. Clear Backpack – For All-Day Essentials
When lockers aren’t available and you need to carry more than just the basics, this stadium-approved clear backpack is the way to go. It holds your snacks, water bottle, layers, and more, and the padded straps make it easy to wear from gate to encore. It keeps your stuff dry in increment weather too.
Shop Clear Festival Backpack on Amazon
3. Clear Tote – Spacious but Low-Key
If backpacks aren’t your thing, this clear tote-style shoulder bag is a great middle ground. It holds your day essentials and keeps things accessible without the bulk of a backpack.
Shop Clear Shoulder Tote on Amazon
4. Pop-Up Stool – Portable Comfort That Saves Your Back
This collapsible pop-up stool is lightweight, compact, and surprisingly sturdy. A friend of mine recovering from back surgery brought it to a show and it was a total lifesaver. He would not have been able to enjoy the pit without it. I’ve seen these allowed at most festivals—a must for anyone who needs to sit between sets.
Shop Pop-Up Stool on Amazon
5. EltaMD Face Sunscreen & Burt’s Bees Lip Balm
The sun doesn’t care how cute your outfit is. EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 is my go-to for sensitive or acne-prone skin. It’s light, clean, and never greasy. Pair it with Burt’s Bees SPF lip balm to avoid the dreaded cracked-lips moment halfway through the set.
Shop EltaMD Sunscreen
Shop Burt’s Bees Lip Balm
6. Personal Fans – Tiny Shade, Total Lifesavers
If you watch Goose’s Viva El Gonzo, Dogs in a Pile replay, yep, that’s me in the pit using this folding hand fan as a sun shield. I always pack one of these. They’re also inexpensive so you can bring one to share with your pit neighbor, so everyone can keep their cool (literally!). Want to go hands-free? This wearable neck fan is rechargeable and keeps the breeze going even when you’re dancing.
Shop Folding Hand Fan
Shop Neck Fan
7. Water Bottle with Mister – Hydration Meets Survival
This misting water bottle saved us during Reggae Rise Up in Las Vegas for the last few years. My husband and I each bring one to all warm-weather outdoor shows. Bonus: we always offer to mist our pit neighbors (everybody vibe cool). It’s refillable, festival-approved, and honestly—so practical.
Shop Misting Water Bottle on Amazon
8. Liquid I.V. & YumEarth Organic Candy
Dehydration is real. I pack Liquid I.V. packets for hydration support and they help cut down on porta-potty trips too. For an alternative to the long beverage line (and for the non-drinkers like us), YumEarth Organic Hard Candy always has a spot in my bag. It saves me from buying expensive drinks and losing my spot in the pit.
Shop Liquid I.V.
Shop YumEarth Candy
9. Emergency Rain Poncho – Not a Look, But a Lifesaver
No, it’s not a fashion moment—but when the sky opens up, you’ll thank yourself for packing this clear rain poncho. It folds small, stashes easily, and keeps your outfit (and phone) dry until the sun comes back.
Shop Rain Poncho
10. Poster Tube with Strap – For the Collectors
If you hit the merch booth early to grab a limited-run poster, don’t let it get crushed in the crowd. I’ve had this poster tube since design school and it still goes to every fest with us. It has a shoulder strap, holds up beautifully, and keeps your art safe till you get home.
Shop Poster Tube
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Final Vibes
Whether you’re chasing down your 50th Dead show or heading to your first beachside reggae fest, these essentials have your back. Stay cool, stay kind, and most of all—don’t forget your shades! We have lots to say about shades which we’ll be discussing soon in a future post – stay tuned.
Got a go-to item I missed? Drop it in the comments or tag me at the next show. See you out there, fam.
-Pink Bear
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