First Festival - Camping

[Calza]

I've only ever been to a day festival about 6 years ago. So I've jumped in and booked a 3 day festival in Germany! (New Horizons).

Having never done this before I have no idea what to do / bring / expect. I'm a bit worried as normally I'm quite fussy and precious about my comfort so I'm sure this will be an experience

Plan is to drive over there (since it's at the Nurburgring). We're camping and I have a tent lined up (quite a big one that my dad uses if he's doing endurance races etc), along with airbed. Got a powerbank to keep any mobiles going.

Any tips / advice welcome. Even things like where should I leave my passport / spare cards. In the tent or hidden in the car?

[Calza]

Thanks for the notes so fa!

Baby wipes, some lighting is a must and MRP bars are a must, chairs make sense too.

The festival is apparently cashless, so that might help a bit although they have explained how yet. What do people think, would lockers or hidden in the car make more sense for things like passport and spare cards? I tent to wear shorts with double pockets and the lower ones are fairly secure so I think that will be okay for whatever I'm carrying.

They have actually increased the camping size, 3 weeks ago it was 3 m², but I've already checked and for two of us that's doubled. It's a big tent but it should fit in 8 m². You're absolutely right I should be testing this in advance, although living in a flat in London may make that tricky

I'm trying to black a trolley from my boss as he says it's invaluable too. I think I'm failing to grasp how far I might have to walk here.

Is it quite common to bring a gas stove and my own food to cook then?

[Calza]

Thanks for the advice so far - feeling like I'm ready.

Not looking forward to getting up at 4am on the Friday, driving there then waiting till probably 2 or 3am for the main DJ's but hey ho. Lots of birds killed in one stone on this trip and it looks like the track is open too for a quick lap!

djc206 said:

Cashless is great , they had that at Austin City Limits last year. Basically you get your wristband which has an RFID chip in it, you link your credit card to it online and then present it at the reader at the bar/food stall/shop. In the US you could add a tip as well. Very useful.

It's wristbands here, so sounds like a similar gig. I'm not a big drinker but do like a drink ... slightly concerned about using it drunk as it's basically "free" at POS!

C0ffin D0dger said:

Can't comment on the festival you're going to but no I really wouldn't bother with stuff for cooking & food other than snacks especially if you've got to carry it any distance. Most of my festival experiences have been at Glastonbury and there has been such a huge array of food and drink stalls that you'd be missing out on trying all the lovely festival food if you took your own stuff. There'll be loads of stalls selling everything from burgers to Chinese, Thai, Mexican etc.

That's what I thought, some snacks and maybe something when I first wake up. Possibly a kettle for a cup of tea in the morning though..

StoatInACoat said:

When I lived in a tiny flat I used to take my tent down to Brunswick Square gardens and put it up to check everything was there. Got some funny looks from tourists but as you live in London you'll already know that nobody else will give a damn

If you can, put it away dry and if you cant dry it out the day you get home, even if that means hanging it out of a window or over the bath. No matter how expensive your tent is it'll be wrecked within days if it's left wet.

I used to work right next to that, I bet you did! Fortunately we have a bit of communal space here I can test it out on.

Is it worth bringing a padlock for the tent?

nitrodave said:

if you want to get any sleep, ear plugs are essential. Get some pillows from Argos cheap that you can just leave there afterwards too.

I always take wellington boots in case it gets muddy, even if it's forecast to be dry. You never know what the conditions will be like and soggy feet can ruin your day.

Sounds like you're pretty prepared otherwise

Ear plugs definitely and an eye mask. I'm also taking a sheet and duvet / cheap pillows as I'm told it's just much nicer than a sleeping bag. I don't actually have any wellies so might have to hope for the best there. Walking shoes are the best I can muster but they don't go past the ankle!