Boogie Wonderland

How to Attend Festivals Safely

Festivals are always a hive of activity, where almost every person there attends for one thing and one thing only- having fun! I know from my time at Pukkelpop in Kiewit, Belgium, that the buzz from a festival is like no other. From the incredible acts, to the people you go with and the catering that is sometimes a little hit or miss, festivals are full of factors that are brought together like a complex puzzle to create an atmosphere like no other. This article will include some hints and tips for what to pack and how to keep safe whilst dancing the night away, influenced by my own experiences and the information from the Travel Aware website.

Two of the most important elements of a festival happen before you even leave your home: packing and preparation! There is no doubt that bringing the right things could potentially make or break your time at a festival, particularly if you’re travelling abroad to take part. As well as some fun outfits and wet wipes (unless you’re brave enough to shower!) here’s a list of things that are absolutely essential if you’re travelling abroad to party:

• Passport

  • Fill out the final page with emergency contact details

  • Make sure it has 3 months left on it from the time you leave

  • Take 2 copies, leave one with your emergency contact and take one with you

• Travel Insurance

  • Carry your GHIC card with you at all times

  • Check what your travel insurance covers

• A water bottle

  • I found that it was sometimes quite difficult to find free water at Pukkelpop, and it’s so important to keep hydrated whilst boogy-ing- so bring a refillable water bottle!

This checklist is more about keeping you safe and well whilst attending a festival abroad, although this is incredibly important, the key aim is always to have amazing fun!

After graduating high school, a large group of friends and I decided to travel to Belgium for the third time to celebrate at our favourite festival. That year the line up was particularly spectacular. We saw Stormzy, Billie Eilish, Post Malone and Tame Impala, to name just a few. The atmosphere was euphoric- despite being packed in like sardines, we couldn’t be happier. This can be a bit overwhelming for some, so it was important that we all stuck together as best we could to ensure that everyone was looked after. If there was a break in the chain that we had formed and the group was split, we made sure that we all had charge on our phones and knew a meeting point that we could all get to. This was important because it’s not always guaranteed that there's a signal, or that everyone will have charge on their phone.

As well as partying in the festival grounds, we had an incredible time away from stage at the camp! Not every festival has camping accommodation, however I do feel that this is one of the best parts of the whole experience, even if it didn’t feel like it at the time! I can’t say that waking up in a tent, feeling like I was a baked potato in an oven was the best I’ve ever felt, but I do look back on it with a big smile on my face. This is where the water bottle comes in handy. The accommodation section for Pukklepop is vast, full of people of all nationalities keen to have an amazing time. Theft can be something that is prevalent at festivals and is something that one of my friends unfortunately experienced. I suggest that you buy a small padlock for your tent if you are camping to deter people from taking what isn’t theirs, and most festivals now have lockers on site to put valuables in.

Going to a festival abroad is one of the many joys of travelling, and I feel so lucky that I had the opportunity to go three times. As with any great joy, there are elements of partying abroad that come with risks, this article should inform you of ways to mitigate the chance of anything going wrong and give you tips to maximise your enjoyment! For more tips on travel visit the Travel Aware website.

My biggest tip: bring wipes, you wont regret it!