Festival season is one of the best parts of summer. It's the excitement of buying your ticket months in advance, planning your outfit with friends, creating the perfect playlist for the journey and counting down the days until your favourite artist takes to the stage.
Whether you're heading to a local day festival, travelling across the country for a weekend of live music or ticking off a headline act you've been waiting months to see, a little planning goes a long way. From choosing the right festival outfit to packing the essentials and planning pre-festival drinks with friends, this ultimate festival guide has everything you need to make the most of your day.
What to Wear to a Festival
Finding the perfect festival outfit is all about striking the balance between style and comfort.
You'll probably spend the majority of the day on your feet, so comfortable trainers or boots are a much better choice than brand-new shoes. Lightweight clothing is ideal if you're dancing in the sunshine, while an oversized shirt, denim jacket or knit is worth bringing for when the temperature drops later in the evening.
Accessories can elevate your outfit without compromising on practicality. A cross-body bag or bum bag keeps your phone, portable charger and festival essentials close by, while sunglasses are a must for sunny afternoons.
The best festival outfits are the ones you can wear from the first act to the last encore without thinking twice.
Festival Essentials to Pack
Packing smart means you can focus on enjoying the music instead of worrying about what you've left behind.
Before leaving the house, make sure you've packed:
· Festival ticket
· Photo ID
· Portable charger
· SPF
· Sunglasses
· Lip balm
· Reusable water bottle if your festival allows it
· A lightweight layer for later in the evening
It's also worth checking your festival's website before you travel, as bag sizes and permitted items can vary from event to event.
Fuel Up Before You Go
A long festival day starts long before you arrive at the gates.
It can be tempting to grab a coffee and head straight out the door, but taking time for a proper breakfast and staying hydrated will make a huge difference later in the day. Whether it's avocado on toast, overnight oats or something quick before meeting your friends, starting the day well means you'll have more energy for hours of dancing, walking and singing along.
Don't forget to fill up your water bottle before you leave, too.
Why Pre-Festival Drinks Are Part of the Experience
Some of the best festival memories happen before you've even scanned your ticket.
It's getting ready together while someone takes over the speaker, helping each other choose an outfit, deciding who's ordering the taxi and catching up over drinks before the day begins. Those moments are just as much a part of festival season as the music itself.
If you're hosting friends before heading off, keeping things simple means you can spend less time making drinks and more time enjoying the excitement.
SERVED cocktails are made for occasions like these. Available in your local Tescos, Sainsburys, ASDA & Morrisons across the UK, they're easy to pick up on your way home or before meeting friends. Simply chill them in advance or pour over ice if you're getting ready at home, and you've got great-tasting cocktails ready to enjoy without any mixing, measuring or cocktail equipment.
Need to grab some before the weekend? Use our Store Locator to find your nearest stockist.
Make the Most of the Festival
Once you're through the gates, don't feel like you have to stick to a strict schedule.
Of course, you'll want to see your favourite artists, but some of the best festival moments happen unexpectedly. Wander over to a smaller stage, discover a new band, take a break between sets and remember to put your phone away every now and then.
You'll enjoy the memories far more if you're fully present instead of watching everything through a screen.
Most importantly, stay hydrated throughout the day, reapply your SPF and don't be afraid to take a break if you need one.
Keep the Festival Going Afterwards
The festival doesn't have to end when the final song finishes.
Whether you're heading back to someone's garden, ordering pizza with friends or reliving your favourite sets, those conversations afterwards often become some of the best memories of the day.
Having a few chilled SERVED cocktails waiting in the fridge is an easy way to keep the celebrations going. Simply pour over ice, add a fresh garnish if you fancy it and toast to a day well spent.
Make This Festival Season One to Remember
A little planning goes a long way, whether that's packing the right festival essentials, choosing a comfortable outfit or making time to enjoy pre-festival drinks with friends. So gather your group, turn up the playlist and make the most of every moment because festival season always goes by faster than you think.
