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11 Rave Essentials You Need To Bring To Your First Festival
Want to know the best rave essentials to bring when attending an electronic dance music festival?
EDM festivals are typically different than regular concerts, due to the environment, production, and of course the large presence of rave culture. When I went to my first festival, I was extremely unprepared and overwhelmed (in the best way) with everything I saw.
After attending countless shows and doing extensive research, we have crafted the perfect list of rave essentials to ensure that you have the best first experience!
Best Rave Essentials
1.) Hydration Backpack
The first thing I would always suggest for a festival is a hydration backpack, or hydropack for short. You don’t know true heartbreak until you’re favorite DJ is on and you’ve scored the perfect spot in the crowd, but then you realize you’re really thirsty and need to go buy some ridiculously overpriced water bottle. A hydropack comes equipped with a built-in pouch that can hold up to two liters of water, so you can stay hydrated wherever you go for a good amount of time! Another perk of using a hydropack is that festivals usually offer free water stations, so you will never have to pay for any water! The two packs that we recommend are GenZ or Lunchbox. Not only do these packs help keep you hydrated, but they have tons of other amazing features such as anti-theft protection (sadly, it does happen sometimes), which can keep your most important valuables safe.
1.) Hydration Backpack
The first thing I would always suggest for a festival is a hydration backpack, or hydropack for short. You don’t know true heartbreak until you’re favorite DJ is on and you’ve scored the perfect spot in the crowd, but then you realize you’re really thirsty and need to go buy some ridiculously overpriced water bottle. A hydropack comes equipped with a built-in pouch that can hold up to two liters of water, so you can stay hydrated wherever you go for a good amount of time! Another perk of using a hydropack is that festivals usually offer free water stations, so you will never have to pay for any water! the two packs that we recommend are GenZ or Lunchbox. Not only do these packs help keep you hydrated, but they have tons of other amazing features such as anti-theft protection (sadly, it does happen sometimes), which can keep your most important valuables safe.
2.) Pashmina
The holy grail festival garment. Honestly, what can a pashmina not do? Other than being an awesome accessory, pashminas have many benefits. One of the best things a pashmina can offer is protection from harsh weather conditions. You can use it as a blanket in the unbearable cold, a cover to protect your skin from the harsh sun rays, or even a makeshift umbrella if it starts to rain. Additionally, they can act as a safety blanket if you feel any kind of overstimulation at a festival. A great hack I learned for this is putting a couple dashes of lavender essential oil on the tips of your pashmina, so it can produce a calming effect when you wear it!
2.) Pashmina
The holy grail festival garment. Honestly, what can a pashmina not do? Other than being an awesome accessory, pashminas have many benefits. One of the best things a pashmina can offer is protection from harsh weather conditions. You can use it as a blanket in the unbearable cold, a cover to protect your skin from the harsh sun rays, or even a makeshift umbrella if it starts to rain. Additionally, they can act as a safety blanket if you feel any kind of overstimulation at a festival. A great hack I learned for this is putting a couple dashes of lavender essential oil on the tips of your pashmina, so it can produce a calming effect when you wear it!
3.) Raveraide
Even if it doesn’t seem like it, your body and mind go through a LOT at music festivals. Dancing all night can leave your body sore and tired, and partying too hard can cause nasty hangovers and brain fog. Raveraide is a hydration stick supplement that aids wonderfully in post-rave recovery. Each packet includes amazing ingredients designed to heal all parts of you, like electrolytes to restore hydration, nootropics to improve your mood and brain health, amino acids to promote muscle recovery, and more! Drinking a Raveraide packet before each day at the festival will help your body power through the day and can reduce the risk of exhaustion and getting sick!
3.) Raveraide
Even if it doesn’t seem like it, your body and mind go through a LOT at music festivals. Dancing all night can leave your body sore and tired, and partying too hard can cause nasty hangovers and brain fog. Raveraide is a hydration stick supplement that aids wonderfully in post-rave recovery. Each packet includes amazing ingredients designed to heal all parts of you, like electrolytes to restore hydration, nootropics to improve your mood and brain health, amino acids to promote muscle recovery, and more! Drinking a Raveraide packet before each day at the festival will help your body power through the day and can reduce the risk of exhaustion and getting sick!
4.) Fan
If the weekend weather report says it’s going to be clear skies, sunny, and any temperature over 85 degrees, prepare for battle against every raver’s worst enemy: heat.
In all seriousness, festivals that occur during the day can get extremely hot and can increase your risk of dehydration and overheating. Something that can help a ton with staying cool is a hand fan! They may seem small and flimsy, but that air stream they produce is like nothing I have ever experienced, especially when I am boiling in the heat. One thing I also love doing that everyone always appreciates is fanning people as they walk by in the crowd! It’s a great conversation starter and a fun way to make new friends at festivals.
4.) Fan
If the weekend weather report says it’s going to be clear skies, sunny, and any temperature over 85 degrees, prepare for battle against every raver’s worst enemy: heat.
In all seriousness, festivals that occur during the day can get extremely hot and can increase your risk of dehydration and overheating. Something that can help a ton with staying cool is a hand fan! They may seem small and flimsy, but that air stream they produce is like nothing I have ever experienced, especially when I am boiling in the heat. One thing I also love doing that everyone always appreciates is fanning people as they walk by in the crowd! It’s a great conversation starter and a fun way to make new friends at festivals.
5.) Totem
A totem is basically any object used to help locate a group. They can also be considered pieces of art or just something created for people to look at. They can include flags, signs, stuffed animals, pool noodles, and much more. Many people will also string their totem with lights to make it easier to spot when trying to find your friends in a crowd.
One of the most random totems I have ever seen was just a straight up broom… but it worked! Totems are great for larger groups because if someone gets lost, they can easily find the group again when they see the totem! Totems are such a fun and creative part of rave culture, and it’s one of the things I love most about this community! If you are going with a group, creating a hilarious totem together can be a great way to get in the festival spirit.
5.) Totem
A totem is basically any object used to help locate a group. They can also be considered pieces of art or just something created for people to look at. They can include flags, signs, stuffed animals, pool noodles, and much more. Many people will also string their totem with lights to make it easier to spot when trying to find your friends in a crowd.
One of the most random totems I have ever seen was just a straight up broom… but it worked! Totems are great for larger groups because if someone gets lost, they can easily find the group again when they see the totem! Totems are such a fun and creative part of rave culture, and it’s one of the things I love most about this community! If you are going with a group, creating a hilarious totem together can be a great way to get in the festival spirit.
6.) Earplugs
You’re dancing your heart out, the bass and the music is bumping, everything in life is beautiful, but your eardrums are sitting there asking “What is going on? Am I going to explode? Is this the end?” This may be a slight exaggeration, but protecting your ears is extremely important and can prevent serious issues down the line like hearing loss. Companies like Eargasm create unique earplugs that are designed to protect your ears without sacrificing sound quality. If you are looking for something more stylish, you can find earplugs that also double as earrings online!
6.) Earplugs
You’re dancing your heart out, the bass and the music is bumping, everything in life is beautiful, but your eardrums are sitting there asking “What is going on? Am I going to explode? Is this the end?” This may be a slight exaggeration, but protecting your ears is extremely important and can prevent serious issues down the line like hearing loss. Companies like Eargasm create unique earplugs that are designed to protect your ears without sacrificing sound quality. If you are looking for something more stylish, you can find earplugs that also double as earrings online!
7.) Something to Sit On!
Sitting down and taking a break with the homies is where some of the best festival memories are made. I always bring either a tapestry or blanket to sit on to watch a set in the back of the crowd or to just give my feet a break. Something I love doing while sitting down is putting glow sticks around the perimeter of the tapestry/blanket to create a little party zone and so people don’t step on you while they’re walking! That tapestry or blanket can also come in handy if you ever get too cold!
7.) Something to Sit On!
Sitting down and taking a break with the homies is where some of the best festival memories are made. I always bring either a tapestry or blanket to sit on to watch a set in the back of the crowd or to just give my feet a break. Something I love doing while sitting down is putting glow sticks around the perimeter of the tapestry/blanket to create a little party zone and so people don’t step on you while they’re walking! That tapestry or blanket can also come in handy if you ever get too cold!
8.) Inflatable Couch
Staying on the topic of something to sit on, an inflatable couch would be your best option if the festival allows them! They’re insanely comfortable, easy to store, and pretty simple to set up. I can confidently say that some of the best sleep I got at Okeechobee Music Festival was on one of these glorious inflatable couches. They sometimes sell them at festival vendors, but you can find cheap ones on Amazon as well!
8.) Inflatable Couch
Staying on the topic of something to sit on, an inflatable couch would be your best option if the festival allows them! They’re insanely comfortable, easy to store, and pretty simple to set up. I can confidently say that some of the best sleep I got at Okeechobee Music Festival was on one of these glorious inflatable couches. They sometimes sell them at festival vendors, but you can find cheap ones on Amazon as well!
9.) Portable Charger
We all know that one person whose phone is somehow always dead. Maybe that person is you! Make sure to pack a portable charger so you don’t miss out on recording your favorite sets or staying in contact with your group (trust me, you don’t want to find yourself separated from your group when the festival ends with no way of reaching them). You may even be somebody’s hero that night by letting them charge their phone! I will usually pack a portable charger with a cord that supports both iPhone and Android chargers, which you can also easily find on Amazon!
9.) Portable Charger
We all know that one person whose phone is somehow always dead. Maybe that person is you! Make sure to pack a portable charger so you don’t miss out on recording your favorite sets or staying in contact with your group (trust me, you don’t want to find yourself separated from your group when the festival ends with no way of reaching them). You may even be somebody’s hero that night by letting them charge their phone! I will usually pack a portable charger with a cord that supports both iPhone and Android chargers, which you can also easily find on Amazon!
10.) Kandi/Toys
One of my all-time favorite things about the EDM community is trading and giving gifts. I have made so many friends at festivals and shows by doing this, and it’s a great way to break the ice if you want to meet people! Kandi is jewelry made of colorful beads and charms and usually includes a cute or funny message. Before every festival, my group and I will make a bunch of new kandi with the goal of trading all of it by the end of the weekend. Before your first festival, make sure to research how to properly trade kandi with Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect! If trading isn’t really your thing, giving gifts is also a popular practice at raves! Some of my favorite things to give people are rubber ducks, miniature dinosaurs, stickers, lollipops, and much more.
10.) Kandi/Toys
One of my all-time favorite things about the EDM community is trading and giving gifts. I have made so many friends at festivals and shows by doing this, and it’s a great way to break the ice if you want to meet people! Kandi is jewelry made of colorful beads and charms and usually includes a cute or funny message. Before every festival, my group and I will make a bunch of new kandi with the goal of trading all of it by the end of the weekend. Before your first festival, make sure to research how to properly trade kandi with Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect! If trading isn’t really your thing, giving gifts is also a popular practice at raves! Some of my favorite things to give people are rubber ducks, miniature dinosaurs, stickers, lollipops, and much more.
11.) Hygiene Essentials
It is time. It is time that you become the ultimate rave mom/dad that you have always been
destined to be. Music festivals, even in all their glory, can come with a lot of dirt, a lot of sweat,
and a lot of germs. While packing my rave bag, I always make sure to include a clear case of
hygiene essentials, like chapstick, hand sanitizer, wet wipes and tissues, band-aids, hair-ties,
Neosporin, deodorant, gum, and other health/beauty necessities. Taking care of your body will
ensure that your experience at the festival is smooth and will prevent any illness when it’s over!
11.) Hygiene Essentials
It is time. It is time that you become the ultimate rave mom/dad that you have always been destined to be. Music festivals, even in all their glory, can come with a lot of dirt, a lot of sweat, and a lot of germs. While packing my rave bag, I always make sure to include a clear case of hygiene essentials, like chapstick, hand sanitizer, wet wipes and tissues, band-aids, hair-ties, Neosporin, deodorant, gum, and other health/beauty necessities. Taking care of your body will ensure that your experience at the festival is smooth and will prevent any illness when it’s over!
This post was all about the best rave essentials to help you be as prepared as possible at your next music festival.
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