The ultimate UK festival prep guide, from outfits to camping essentials

It’s that time of the year again. Temperatures are finally hitting the 20s, pub gardens are overflowing and all of your mates have suddenly become “outdoorsy”. Yep, summer’s on the horizon, which means it’s time to start getting prepared for festival season.

And while Glastonbury may be taking a year off this year, there are still plenty of UK festivals to get involved in, from muddy weekend campouts and city day festivals to dance-heavy line-ups and indie all-dayers.

As we all know, however, festival season isn’t just about the weekend itself — it’s about the build-up too. The outfits, the packing, the travel plans, the last-minute panic-buying and the sudden realisation you own absolutely nothing waterproof. It can all add up surprisingly quickly, especially if you’re replacing old gear or buying bigger-ticket items like camping equipment.

That’s where tools like PayPal Pay in 3 can come in handy, giving you the option to spread the cost over three interest-free payments with no late fees. It can support planning and budgeting for festival season, particularly when you’re buying several essentials at once. Plus, you can earn PayPal+ points on eligible Pay in 3 purchases.

Start with the festival fit…

First things first, you have to look the part, because nobody wants to look back at the group photos and realise they dressed like they were nipping out for milk.

The trick is finding that middle ground between making an effort and not looking like you tried too hard. Think easy pieces that actually work together: a decent overshirt, relaxed T-shirts, cargos or denim shorts, and trainers you’re not emotionally attached to.

Basically, stuff that looks good in the day but still works when you’re three pints deep.

Accessories can do a lot of heavy lifting too. Sunglasses, a cap, a crossbody bag or a lightweight jacket can make a fairly simple outfit look like you had a plan, even if that plan was pulled together 20 minutes before leaving the house.

But pack for British weather

Now for the less glamorous bit: the weather. Festival forecasts in the UK are less of a prediction and more of a suggestion, so don’t be surprised if you get sunburnt, soaked and freezing cold within the same afternoon.

This is where the practical stuff comes in. Pack a waterproof jacket, a hoodie or warmer layer, boots or wellies, spare socks and something you can throw on quickly if the sky starts looking suspicious. A poncho might not be your proudest fashion moment, but neither is shivering under a food stall umbrella while pretending you’re “absolutely loving it”.

Get your travel plans sorted before the group chat gets feral

Every festival friendship group starts with good intentions and ends with someone asking “wait, how are we actually getting there?” approximately 14 hours before you’re meant to leave, so avoid the chaos by sorting the boring-but-important stuff early.

Whether that’s driving, jumping on a coach or booking train tickets ahead of time — what time everyone needs to leave, who’s bringing what, where you’re meeting and whether anyone is responsible enough to keep track of the booking confirmations. Screenshot anything important too, because relying on signal in a field is a bold move.

Don’t underestimate the camping situation

While you might think you’re low maintenance, there’s absolutely nothing enjoyable about sleeping on the ground after a full day of walking, dancing, queueing and drinking. So if you’re camping, the setup matters.

You’ll need a decent tent, sleeping bag, roll mat, torch, reusable water bottle, camping chair and earplugs as a bare minimum, while wet wipes, bin bags and spare socks also deserve far more respect than they usually get.

Camping gear is also one of those things you often end up buying all at once, especially if your old setup has mysteriously vanished since last summer.

Grooming bits you’ll be grateful for later

No one is expecting a full bathroom routine in a field, but there are a few grooming bits that can make you feel a lot more human by day two. We suggest packing deodorant, lip balm, plasters, hand sanitiser and toothbrush and toothpaste, while for those of you lads graced with longer locks, dry shampoo can also be a lifesaver if your hair starts looking like it’s survived several different climates.

Mini versions are your friend here, partly because they save space and partly because nobody wants to carry half their bathroom cabinet across a campsite.

SPF is also non-negotiable, even if it looks cloudy, because nothing ruins a weekend quite like realising your face is the same colour as the emergency exit signs.

Tech that might save your weekend

Your phone will absolutely choose the worst possible moment to die, usually when you’re trying to find your mates, your tent or your lift home. As such, a portable charger is basically essential.

Also remember to screenshot your tickets and travel info, download anything you might need offline, and consider a waterproof phone pouch if the forecast is looking suspicious. All of these little things can stop a minor inconvenience turning into a full-blown group search party.

The stuff everyone forgets

There are some things that seem obvious until you’re halfway there and suddenly realise you forgot your ID.

So before you leave, do a final check for your bank card, any medication you need, painkillers, tissues or toilet roll, reusable water bottle and a charger. These are the bits that quietly save the weekend.

And if your pre-festival shopping list ends up being bigger than expected, it can help to revisit your budget and only spread the cost with PayPal Pay in 3 if you’re confident you can afford all three payments alongside your other bills. When you do use Pay in 3, you can also earn PayPal+ points on eligible Pay in 3 purchases.

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