Best Festival Hacks to Get You Through the 2026 Season
Last updated: January 2026
If you’ve got tickets to a festival this year, you’ll want to be as prepared as possible. Let’s be real – silly mistakes can ruin your entire festival experience and put you off ever going to one again!
Breeze through this festival season with our best festival hacks and tips below.
1. Pack a portable charger
It sounds simple, but this is our number-one festival hack.
The last thing you want is to be halfway through recording your favourite act when your phone shuts down, and you can’t charge it. Invest in a good-quality power bank (a cheap one will barely get you through one charge), and you can guarantee it won’t let you down!
2. Don’t neglect H20
This festival camping hack is another one that probably sounds like a bit of a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many festival-goers seem to completely forget that water exists.
Bring a reusable bottle and fill it up at the water refill stations so you stay hydrated. Don’t waste your cash on pricey bottled water – save that money for the more exciting drinks!
3. Know your tent’s location
The last thing you want is to spend an hour searching the entire campsite for your tent – you were adamant that yours was so distinctive, but 30 minutes later, you realise everyone else had the same idea!
No matter what tent you buy, someone else probably has a similar one. Don’t take any chances – take a picture of your tent, note any landmarks and what campsite it’s in. You could even pop some fairy lights on it for extra visibility. This is a surefire way to make sure you always find your tent.
4. Stay safe
Having your stuff stolen is a total mood-killer. If you’ve got a shiny new phone, consider taking an older, cheaper one instead.
A bum bag (or fanny pack) might not be the trendiest thing ever, but it’s fab for keeping your cash and valuables safe while you’re in the crowd.
5. Volunteer if you’re on a budget
Festival tickets can be pricey, especially if you don’t get early bird ones.
Volunteering means getting a free ticket for working a couple of shifts as a steward, in a shop, or campaigning for a charity. You can do this at most major festivals – for example, Oxfam is a great shout for volunteering opportunities at some of the UK’s best festivals (including Glastonbury!).
6. Don’t forget your toiletries
Toiletries are an essential item on your festival packing list, so make sure you stock up beforehand. Just because you’re spending a few nights in a tent doesn’t mean your personal hygiene needs to go out the window!
Make sure you bring lots of tissues or toilet rolls for the festival toilets and some wet wipes or dry shower gel in case you don’t fancy having a shower. Dry shampoo can also be a real lifesaver, especially if you have long hair, although tying your hair up in braids will stop you worrying about it, full stop.
7. Be cautious of pre-festival shopping
It’s easy to get carried away with the glitter and novelty gear. Stop yourself before buying the novelty items and ask yourself if you’ll really use them or if you’ve got a similar item back at home.
While cheap stuff can seem like a fantastic idea in the moment, the chances are that you’ll rarely use the stuff, especially if it’s made from low-quality materials. Lowering your consumption can not only save you precious cash but could also help you become more eco-friendly.
8. Buy a bigger tent for your stay
Don’t make the mistake of thinking a two-man tent is enough for two people. Unless you want to sleep on top of your bags (and your mate), go for a four-man tent. It’ll give you ample space to actually breathe.
Try getting a four-man tent instead. That’ll guarantee that you have ample space to sleep, storage space for all your snacks and drinks, and a chill-out room. If you’re trying to manage your budget, go for a second-hand one on eBay – it will work just the same if it’s in a good condition!
9. Stash some extra clothes
If you’ve driven to the festival (or rode with a friend who has), it might be worth stashing some dry clothes in your car. This means you’ve got clean and dry clothes for the drive back home – just in case the sky decides to open up on your walk back to the car.
If you’ve taken public transport, keep one untouched outfit for the journey home. The last thing you want is to be covered in mud on a five-hour train around people who’ve not been to the same festival – you’ll get some questionable looks!
10. Plan for expected (and unexpected) weather
The UK is not exactly known for its brilliant weather, but it can be quite unpredictable. That’s why layering is key. You’ll be able to strip off when it gets too much and pile the hoodies and jackets back on again in the cooler evenings.
When the sun comes out, it can get pretty hot – suncream with a high SPF is a must, whatever the weather forecast!
The same goes for a raincoat and wellies. You never know when the skies will open up, and you don’t want to be trapped in your tent because you forget to bring your waterproofs.
11. Consider footwear
When it comes to festival hacks in the UK, footwear really does matter. Aside from wellies, sturdy closed-toe Dr Martens or durable trainers are the way to go. Pair your footwear with thick socks, and be sure to leave the heels at home for now.
12. Grab some nighttime essentials
Although not the most fashionable, a head torch may well be your saving grace when it comes to walking around at night. Instead of tripping up on tent ropes, stay aware of where you are walking and where you are putting your feet. No one wants to faceplant the mud, after all!
Once you’ve made it back to your tent, wrap up warm with additional layers (a woolly hat wouldn’t go amiss) and stick in a pair of earplugs to get some decent shuteye.
From tiring road trips to the one friend who forgets their tent, festivals are proof that group coordination can be a hassle. So, why bring the drama back to your student house?
While Split The Bills can’t guarantee that your festival will be hassle-free, we can stop your housemates from falling out over the electricity. At Split the Bills, we set up your utilities and split the total automatically, so you never have to chase an unreliable friend for late payments again. All you need to do is pay one neat monthly payment – simple!
It’s easy to choose a package that suits you, and you can pick which bills you want to include (we can also handle your broadband and TV Licence if you need us to). Find out more about how we work, or get in touch with our friendly team!
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