How to Hack Overnight Festivals this Season

1. Getting there

Going to a festival can be expensive gas-wise. If you can, try to get gas in more populated areas where there is more competition between stations, and optimize your car to get the best gas mileage possible on the way there. Use apps that help compare gas prices at different stations, such as GasBuddy or Google Maps. Try not to over pack, as this uses up even more gas. If something can’t fit inside the car, then don’t bring it. Take off roof racks because they also cut down on fuel efficiency. Finally, use
cruise control when possible. Tests have shown cruise control can help improve fuel economy by 10 to 15 percent.

2. Camping Gear

There are two things to keep in mind when looking for a tent: Size and durability. Tents usually have a description of how many people can fit inside. Most people will find a 2-person tent is enough space, but someone on the taller side may feel more comfortable in a 3-person tent.

Get a tent that has a rain cover and can withstand a sudden gust of wind. This means use heavy duty stakes! Not those flimsy plastic ones. The weather at festivals can be unpredictable, and no one wants to come back to their campsite to find their tent flooded or flying off into the nearest forest. It is wise to bring along a small lock to attach to the tent zippers while you’re away all day. It won’t do much to deter someone if they really want to get in, but festivals don’t usually have a lot of theft. It’s more to help make sure that you don’t arrive back at your tent to find that Brandon from two rows down has gotten too smashed and mistook his tent for yours. And keep valuable items locked away in the car. Another important tip is to practice setting up the tent beforehand and keep track of all its pieces. There is nothing worse than driving all the way to the festival only to find you don’t have the one pole that holds the tent together.

Some people find sleeping in a tent easy as pie. But there is no guarantee you’ll find a spot on soft ground. Bring a yoga mat or a sleeping pad to get a little more cushion where you sleep. Also, don’t forget to bring a pillow that is cool and breathable. Bonus tip: Bring a pack of ear plugs along with you. When you return to your tent at 4am ready to rock off to dreamland, you’ll love that you can tune out the crowd that parties until sunrise. At overnight festivals, there is usually some down time in the morning before concerts start. It’s this time when you’ll want to have a lawn chair for re-energizing. Consider getting a canopy if you’re camping with a large group. Festivals are usually in the summer, and canopies can help lower temperatures by at least 10 degrees underneath. Make sure to bring multiple flashlights along on the trip. Not only will you need light for setting up and taking down the tent, but also for late night trips back from a concert or a bathroom run. Consider going a step further and investing in a solar flashlight. You can leave a solar flashlight on the dashboard of the car for a few hours, and it will have enough juice to power the entire weekend.

3. Food

It can’t be said enough but stay hydrated! Most of the time spent at a festival is outdoors and it’s easy to lose track of how much you sweat throughout the day. Bring a Camelbak and learn where the nearest water stations are around the campsite and inside the venue space. Bring your own food to save money at the festival. The best way to do this is by planning meals ahead of time. Try to avoid salty snacks, as they are dehydrating. Fruit is a good idea, but keep in mind which ones last in warmer temperatures. Some classic festival meals are peanut butter and jelly, cereal and a grilled hotdog or two.

There are a lot of camping grills out there, but certain types may not be allowed depending on the festival. Combination grill/stoves are nice because they give more cooking options. If you’re looking to save space, consider a small butane stove. Ice is expensive, and it doesn’t last in high summer heat. Instead, fill the bottom row of your cooler with frozen water bottles, then layer your food on top. Before packing the cooler into your car, stop by the grocery store and pick up 5 pounds of dry ice. Wrap that ice inside of a towel and set it on top of the food in your cooler. It will last over 48 hours and allow you to keep fresh food fresh for the entire weekend.

4. Staying clean

Many festivals have showers near the campsites, but they will cost money and lines can get long. Instead, bring a showering bag with a hose that can be attached to a car relatively easily. Invest in wet wipes. These are fantastic for in the middle of the day when you want a quick refresher.

5. Clothing

For those of us who try to look decent occasionally, the temptation to bring every summer outfit to the festival is a struggle. Remember, if you would get upset that your new dress/hat/t-shirt got mud on it, don’t bring it.