Download Festival: Packing, Tips and Tricks

It's almost here...

Not that I'm counting or anything...

I'm way too excited for this year's Download Festival. While the line-up doesn't excite me as much as previous ones have, I just can't wait to get in that field with my friends and not give a fuck about anything for 5 days.

I'm hoping this list will be helpful for anyone new to Download Festival, new to camping, or just those that need a hand remembering everything! Some may think I've over / under packed, but I have found this to be sufficient for me!

I've put together a pretty comprehensive packing list, along with some tips and tricks that I noted down while camping at last year's Download. I'll split the list into sections:

1. Camping essentials
2. Handbag essentials
3. Shower stuff
4. Beauty stuff
5. Health stuff
6. Clothing
7. Food/drink
8. Tips and tricks

[downloadfestival.co.uk]

1. Camping essentials.

• TICKET
• RECEIPTS for add-ons (i.e. Seat of Luxury, Soapstars, Charge Candy etc)
• MONEY
• ID
• Tent
• Sleeping bag
• Airbed
• Pillow
• Blanket
• Tent lantern
• Earplugs
• Sleep mask
• Power bank / phone charger cable
• Camera (though I'll just be using my phone)
• Bin bags / carrier bags for wet/dirty clothes and rubbish

2. Handbag essentials

These will be the things I will always have on me in my handbag when walking around the Village / going into the Arena.

• A form of ID
• Money
• Hand gel + handy wipes
• Tissues
• Foldaway raincoat
• Sunglasses
• Blotting paper (for us oily gals)
• Zip lock bag for electronics (in case of any leakage)
• Power bank
• Heel shields / blister plasters (just in case)
• Lipstick, mirror, small hairbrush (optional)
• Small sun cream
• Lip balm
• Sanitary products if needed

[downloadfestival.co.uk]

3. Shower stuff

• Miniature shampoo + shower gel
• Toothbrush + toothpaste
• Razor
• Body wet wipes
• Feminine hygiene wipes
• Deodorant
• Perfume
• Dry shampoo!
• Towel

4. Beauty stuff

• Face cleansing wipes
• Moisturiser
• Make up
• Travel mirror
• Hairbrush
• Mini hair spray
• Hair ties / scrunchies / bandanas / clips
• Sun cream + aftersun

5. Health stuff

• Medication + prescription sheet (just in case)
• Birth control
• Insect bite cream
• Painkillers
• Plasters
• First aid kit / antiseptic wipes
• Heel shields / blister plasters
• Any other tablets i.e. Imodium, hayfever tablets, Berocca (I find this helps with hangovers!)
• Sanitary products if needed

[downloadfestival.co.uk]

6. Clothing

This will obviously be subjective to everyone. This is what I've personally found to be more than enough.

• Underwear!
• Bikini for shower (optional, whatever floats your boat)
• Lots of socks!
• Denim shorts 
• Tights 
• Band tees 
• Crop tops 
• Cover ups
• Dress
• Large jumper
• Gloves / beanie hat
• Coats: Jacket, raincoat
• Accessories: Sunglasses, belt, hat
• Jewellery
• Warm clothes to sleep in / trudge off to the toilets in the morning in
• BOOTS / wellies
• Separate shoes for the campsite (this is optional of course, I just found trying to put my Doc Martens on every morning just for the campsite was a pain in the arse!)
• Flip flops for the showers (those floors can get super muddy)

7. Food / Drink

This year I will be buying my lunches and dinners at the festival. I will be taking my own breakfast and alcohol.

• Cartons of orange juice
• Cereal bars
• Snacks
• Alcohol! (Remember, no glass is allowed into the campsites)
• Mixers
• Bottles of water
• Paper cups
• Paper straws
• Cutlery (if needed, preferably not plastic!)

8. Tips and Tricks

Last year, while sitting in my tent, I made a point of noting down little things that I knew would be helpful for next year. A lot of these tips are packing related, and will hopefully make your lives a lot easier!

1. Have separate bags for separate things.

Last year, I threw everything into my rucksack as I thought this would save the most space. While that was probably correct, I found myself rummaging for ages in the morning looking for certain things. I told myself that in the future, I would separate categories of items into separate carrier bags inside my rucksack. For example, I plan to have separate bags for:

- Beauty items

- Shower items

- Clothing

- Dirty clothes

- Food / drink

This way, I will be able to find things a lot easier (which is handy when in a small tent!). I also found this to be useful when walking to/from the showers - it's best to have a separate bag to keep all your wet stuff in.

I will also be keeping my jewellery in a separate travel jewellery pouch, and my medication / prescription sheet in a clear zip lock bag in case I need to show it to anyone. I will probably keep this in my handbag on the way into the campsite for easier access.

2. Buy food/alcohol just before you go to the festival.

This is particularly important for me, as I will be travelling by train to Birmingham to stay with a friend the night before we head off to Donington. The last thing I want to do is carry heavy bottles of booze with me on the train! We plan to stop off at ASDA the previous night / early morning and stock up just before we arrive.

Depending on what food you buy, this will also ensure it stays fresh and less squished for as little time as possible.

3. Remember to take extra cash.

It's easy to remember money for things like food and merch, but it's just as easy to forget that you may need cash for other things. For example, last year when queueing for rides in the Village a few of my friends found that they had no change and were left disappointed. There are also numerous shops, such as the co-op, and clothes/accessories stalls that you may not want to miss out on! I've read in previous years that tokens can be bought by friends of ticket holders for the Soapstars luxury showers - I'm not sure if this will be available this year - so this could be handy!

4. Take tissues with you wherever you go.

A pretty standard festival rule but one that's easily forgotten - ALWAYS TAKE TISSUES. Even though I buy the Seat of Luxury pass, this is not available in the arena, meaning I have to use the dreaded portaloos… which usually run out of paper. 

5. Don't stop yourself from seeing a band just because your friends don't want to see them.

I cannot stress this enough. This is YOUR experience - don't regret any of it. There were a couple of bands I wanted to see last year than none of my group wanted to see, so I just headed off by myself and made sure that I could contact any of them by phone so we could meet later. I'm so glad I did, otherwise I'd have really regretted it.

6. Take sensible shoes

I sound like an overprotective parent here, but I can't stress the importance of good, sturdy shoes that you can walk for miles in. One year, my Mum came with me in small, pump-like trainers... for those of you who know Download, that was a BIG mistake. Take shoes that can withstand ungodly amounts of mud.

7. Forget your worries and just enjoy yourself!

💗