Festival tips

Festival Pro Tips From a Seasoned Vet: How to Survive and Thrive at Your Next Event

There’s nothing quite like the chaos, community, and catharsis of a music festival. But if you want to make it to Sunday with your sanity (and your gear) intact, you’ll need more than glitter and good intentions. I’ve been working festivals across the country for years—pedicabbing, camping, dancing, hustling—and here’s some real talk advice to help you festival smarter, not harder.

📱 Save Your Battery: Use Airplane Mode

If you’ve ever looked down at your phone after an hour and wondered how it’s already at 12%, you’re not alone. At big events, the local cell towers get completely overloaded. Your phone works overtime trying to find a signal, and that search burns through battery life like wildfire.

Pro Tip: Switch to airplane mode when you don’t need service. You’ll still be able to use your camera, music player, and even take notes. Turn service back on when you're expecting messages or need to check the schedule—then flip it off again. It’s a small move that makes a huge difference.

🚿 Shower Smarter

Everyone wants that sweet, clean feeling at a dusty festival—but morning showers? That’s a blood sport. Lines are long, water pressure is sad, and someone always forgets their shampoo and holds up the whole thing.

Pro Tip: Time your shower during a set you don’t care about. While the rest of the crowd is dancing their hearts out, you’ll be in and out like a breeze, with warm water, no line, and maybe even a chance to wash your hair in peace.

🚲 Take the Pedicab Ride In

Look, I run a pedicab company. So yes, I’m biased—but also right. The walk from parking to the entrance can be brutal, especially when you're hauling gear, sweating through your shirt, and just trying to find your crew.

Pro Tip: Grab a pedicab ride on the way in. It’s almost always cheaper than the ride out (when demand is high and your feet are dead). Plus, it saves you time and energy—and lets you roll in with style.

🎪 Secure Your Easy-Up... Or Else

Nothing strikes fear in the heart of a camp like the sound of a rogue canopy tumbling through the night. High winds will come. Stakes will fail. And if your easy-up goes flying, it’s taking someone’s windshield or side mirror with it.

Pro Tip: Use real ratchet straps and stake it like you mean it. Cinder blocks, sandbags, or rebar stakes can make the difference between shade and a lawsuit.

📝 Leave a Notebook at Camp

Festival service is spotty at best, nonexistent at worst. Coordinating with your crew can turn into a full-blown scavenger hunt.

Pro Tip: Leave a notebook and pen at your campsite. Write down:

• What time you left

• Where you’re going

• When you think you'll be back

• Any important meet-up spots or changes

It sounds old school, but trust me—it works. Plus, if someone swings by while you’re out, they won’t have to wander the grounds screaming your name like a lost child.

Bonus Tips from the Trenches:

• Headlamp > Flashlight. Keep your hands free at night. You'll thank yourself during a 3 a.m. bathroom run.

• Don’t trust the weather app. Bring rain gear and shade solutions, no matter what.

• Eat a real meal once a day. You can’t live on granola bars and vibes.

• Keep a backup charger in a Ziplock. Dust and water are unforgiving.

• Wet wipes and gold bond. Enough said.

Whether you're a first-timer or a festy vet, these tips will keep you one step ahead of the chaos. Festivals are beautiful madness—and being a little prepared makes them way more enjoyable.

See you in the dust. ✌️