The purpose of this packing list is to help you never forget anything important while taking part in an open-air festival or an outdoor party that lasts several days. Some of these suggestions could ease your festival life dramatically. In all probability this list contains a bit more than you actually need, therefore all items are to be considered as simply providing inspiration and may of course be omitted according to requirements.
Feel free to send additions to: Richard Cattien <rc.foreign at gmx.net>
Thanks
A big thank you for additions goes to: Jörg, goaman,
René, Tanja, Dirk, Raule, Mike, Alice, kev, Gunter, Ulli, Stefan, dr. luv, baq (thanks for mentioning in the Mushroom Magazine), Olaf (thanks for contributing the new title picture of 2006), Arne, Thomas (thanks for contributing the title picture (en) for 2007), Joern (thanks for contributing the title picture (de) for 2007), Thaís, Alan Frostick (corrections with the English translation)
Campsite
tent
sufficient tent pegs
mallet
cable ties
strong packing-twine / rope
steel wire
blankets (to sit on or to cover yourself up)
sleeping pad
sleeping bag
small padlocks for the tents
pillow
tarpaulin, pavilion or awning (perfect to chill-out under during
rain or strong sunshine)
canvas tape (Gaffa, very helpful if you want to build a camp. A wise person once saidGaffatape is like "The Force" … It has a light and a dark side, and it keeps the universe together ;)
(free translation))
garbage bags
paper towels
stable base, e.g. a chopping board (for candles, ashtrays,
bottles, etc.)
Swiss army knife
IMPORTANT: flashlight (very handy to find things
easier in the dark, to illuminate unlit latrines, not
to stumble over tent ropes, etc. Nowadays flashlights with
LEDs
instead of bulbs are available. They last much longer than
and are much brighter than conventional flashlights and can be found
in most outdoor shops.
oil lamp + oil
lanterns/lampions
a long rod with a pennant/flag/snap light stick/LED gimmick (for marking and finding the camp)
folding chair
Body care / Personal
eyeglasses, contacts + contact solution
something against headache (You know them)
other needed drugs
travel health insurance documents
sunscreen
sunglasses
ChapStick™
hat or scarf against the sun
Vitamin C (fizzing tablet or alike)
Magnesium Pills (for the heavy dancers)
sticking plaster (Leukoplast™, good against blisters on your feet)
tick pliers (tweezers are also effective, in case of emergency)
tampons, panty liners
birth control pills
soap (biodegradeable!)
razor (unless you prefer the typical festival look
:-)
ear protection (good and cheap ones are available at DIY
stores, better ones at the drugstore, particularly useful for
getting some sleep at a time)
tissues
Eating, drinking
canteen
camping dishes
beakers (my personal favorite: the neon colored plastic
beakers from IKEA, a real classic!)
smaller and bigger plastic refillable bottles
dishtowel
bag soups, noodles, gravy
fruits (keep them as cool as possible)
fruit juices (brings you up again after a night of
dancing)
nuts, nutcracker
coffee, tea
thermos flask
WATER! (better safe than sorry!)
bread (pumpernickel is very nutritious and stays fresh for a
long time)
cheese, jelly
resealable freezer bags or alike (suitable to keep food
fresh)
snacks, sweets (jellybabies make you smile :-)
chewing gum (might be handy in case you missed to brush your teeth)
watermelon (worth while when you're not alone)
IMPORTANT: water canister (also available as
foldable)
beer (if you can't live without it)
bottle of Jägermeister™
barbecue, coal
stove
sponge
salt, pepper, spices
washingup liquid
case to put the cutlery in (otherwise it's always anywhere
and you don't find it when you need it)
can opener
Clothes
comfortable clothes
a warm sweater (it might be cold at night)
a few pairs of warm socks (cold feet are terrible, and the
socks could get wet quickly)
raincoat
umbrella
swimming things
IMPORTANT: shoes (at least three pairs: comfortable,
not to heavy ones for dancing (should not be all-too new,
because they mostly get affected a bit), clean ones for
traveling, and a pair for rain or cold weather.
bathing shoes/flip-flops
things you can't sleep without
scrunchys
belt
Miscellaneous
key for the fuel tank cap (I forgot it once, very
irritating if you notice this after a few hundred miles)
replacement key for the car (makes sense if you travel with
more than one person, you give the key around and in the end
it's gone … very annoying)
CDs/tapes for the journey
EC/credit card (EC card is for European countries only as
far as I know)
essential documents, check-cards, keys you don't need,
etc., you best only take absolutely necessary things with you
only (driving license, ID/passport, health card), because anything
you don't have with you can't get lost!
things which produce a lot of waste
fragile or very expensive things
Checks before leaving home
stove and heater off
windows closed
lights off
answering machine
garbage out
houseplants watered
video timer set
car fueled
What else to bear in mind?
Festivals happen outside in the nature, you should adjust your behavior to ensure you respect it. That means: Put your waste in proper containers instead of just leaving it on the
field! Everyone benefits from a clean party place. Ask someone
from the festival staff, I'm sure they won't be stingy with
wastebags :-).
At many festivals, much alcohol and/or drugs are consumed.
Generally that's not a problem, as long as it does not affect
other festival guests. You should expect to see/meet some not
completely "dry" or "with-it" people. Important: the more friendly you act, the more
friendly you'll be treated, … in most cases. Of course you should
keep an eye on yourself not to go over the top.
You are there to have fun! Use the time and try things out
which you normally cannot. Dance like nobody is watching!
I would be very thankful for additions and help for the English
translation. If you want to add something or correct a translation
error, just drop me an email at rc.foreign at gmx.net
