I’ve spent a lot of time in festival crowds. I volunteered at three different music festivals across Australia one summer, caught The XX live at a festival in London (still one of my top concert memories), danced through two years of Coachella, swayed my way through Cali Roots, and I’m heading to BottleRock in Napa this May.
After all of that, I can tell you that a good festival day versus a miserable one almost always comes down to what you brought with you. Not what you wore, not where you stood, but whether you had the right bag with the right things inside it.
Festival packing is a puzzle with a hard size limit. Every festival has bag restrictions, and even the generous ones still mean you’re carrying whatever you choose for 8 to 12 hours straight.
This guide covers both sides of the equation, how to choose the right festival bag and exactly what to pack inside it so you can stop worrying about your stuff and actually enjoy the music. These are my picks for the best music festival bag essentials for women for this year’s festival season.
How to Choose the Right Festival Bag (3 Options)
Before you start filling a bag, you need to pick the right one. The three main options for festivals are belt bags, backpacks and hydration packs, and crossbody purses. Each works best for a different kind of festival day.
- Belt bags and sling bags are the best for high-energy, single-day festivals where dancing is the priority. They sit tight against your body, don’t swing or bounce, and keep your hands completely free. The trade-off is limited space, so you’re choosing only your true essentials.
- Backpacks and hydration packs are better for full-day outdoor festivals in the heat or multi-day camping festivals where you need to carry more. A hydration pack with a built-in water reservoir can be a lifesaver at desert festivals or raves. Just keep in mind that backpacks are bulkier and can get uncomfortable in tight crowds.
- Crossbody purses land somewhere in the middle. They offer a bit more room than a belt bag with a cleaner look that transitions well from afternoon sets to nighttime headliners. If you tend to carry a few extra things (a fan, a poncho, snacks), a crossbody gives you that flexibility.
One important note on bag policies. Every festival has different rules, and they vary widely. Coachella allows bags up to 18″ x 13″ x 8.5″. Lollapalooza requires any bag larger than 6″ x 9″ to be clear and no bigger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″. Some festivals ban backpacks entirely. Always check your specific festival’s website before buying a bag so you don’t get turned away at the gate.
Best Festival Bags For Women
#1 Belt Bag/Sling Bag
If you want to travel light and stay hands-free, a belt bag or sling bag is your best option. These sit close to your body, won’t swing while you dance, and keep your essentials within quick reach. These are my favorites right now for festivals:
- Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 1L is a viral favorite for a reason, and it’s one I’ve been using for years as both a festival bag and a travel purse. It’s compact, water-repellent, and fits your phone, card, keys, and a few small extras. What I love most is having my phone and essentials within easy reach at all times without having to dig through a bigger bag. The adjustable strap lets you wear it around your waist or as a crossbody. At $38, it’s a reliable starting point that holds up season after season. I’ve been using mine for over three years now.
- Athleta All Day Sling is a slightly roomier alternative with a sleek profile. The multiple compartments keep your items organized, and the sporty look pairs well with just about any festival outfit.
- Calpak Terra Small Sling Bag brings a more polished aesthetic with its padded back panel and structured shape. It holds a surprising amount for its size and comes in fun colors.
#2 Backpack or Hydration Pack
For all-day festivals, raves, or hot-weather events where hydration is a priority, a small backpack or hydration pack gives you the extra capacity you need.
- This Clear Mini Backpack meets the standard 12″ x 12″ x 6″ requirement at most venues and still fits sunscreen, a charger, snacks, and a water bottle (I particularly like the two water bottle holders on either side of the bag). I’m bringing this one to BottleRock this year, since clear bags speed up security and are encouraged if you want to bring a larger bag.
- Athleta Excursion Small Backpack has padded straps for comfort during long days and enough room to fit a light layer for when temperatures drop at night.
- Sojourner Rave Hydration Pack Backpack comes with a 2-liter water bladder and a slim profile that stays manageable in crowds. If you’re headed to a hot, outdoor, all-day festival or rave, a hydration pack is one of the smartest things you can bring.
- Quince Italian Leather Mini Convertible Backpack converts between a backpack and a crossbody, which is nice if you want something that doesn’t look like typical festival gear.
#3 Crossbody Purse
A crossbody gives you a bit more room than a belt bag with a polished look. It’s the sweet spot if you want to carry a few extras without committing to a backpack.
- Clear Stadium Crossbody Bag is a no-fuss option for venues that require transparent bags. The adjustable strap makes it easy to find a comfortable fit, and the clear material means faster security lines.
- Athleta All Day Crossbody is versatile enough for both festival days and everyday use. It sits flat against your body and has enough structure to keep your things organized without feeling bulky.
- This Personalized Clear Stadium Bag is a fun option if you want a clear bag that still feels personal. Having your name or initials on it makes it easy to spot in a group and adds a custom touch to something that’s otherwise pretty utilitarian.
Music Festival Bag Essentials Checklist For Women (Must-Haves)
Now that you’ve picked your bag, here’s what actually goes inside it. These are the essentials that matter from the first set to the last encore.
#1 Folding Water Bottle & Electrolytes
Dehydration sneaks up fast when you’re standing in the sun for hours, especially if you’re drinking alcohol. Most festivals have free water refill stations, so you just need a vessel.
A Hydrapak Flux Bottle (32 oz) collapses flat when empty, which means it takes up almost no space in your bag between refills. Pair it with Nuun Sport Electrolyte Tablets that dissolve right in your water. They replace the sodium and potassium you’re sweating out without the sugar crash of sports drinks. Toss a few tablets in a small Ziploc, and you’re set for the day.
#2 Flushable Wipes & Hand Sanitizer
Between using the bathroom and grabbing food, you’ll want both flushable wipes and hand sanitizer within easy reach all day.
Stall Mates Flushable Wipes come in individually wrapped packets, so they’re compact and easy to grab one at a time. They’re biodegradable and flushable and great to have on hand when the porta-potties inevitably run out of toilet paper.
Touchland Power Mist Hand Sanitizer is a spray (not a gel), so it dries fast, doesn’t leave your hands sticky, and fits easily in a belt bag. It also comes in light scents like watermelon that are fun for summer festival season.
#3 Mini Power Bank
Your phone is your ticket, your map, your camera, your way home, and your connection to whoever you came with. A dead phone at a festival is a real problem, not just an inconvenience.
A keychain-sized wireless charger clips to your bag and gives you a quick top-up when you need it. It’s the most compact option if space is tight.
For a full day of heavy phone use (photos, videos, GPS, texting your group), an INIU 10,000mAh Power Bank provides roughly two full phone charges and still fits in most belt bags. The built-in USB-C cable means no fumbling for loose cords.
#4 SPF Lip Balm & Sunscreen
Your lips burn just like the rest of your skin, but most people forget about them entirely. And reapplying sunscreen throughout the day is a must if you don’t want to spend the next week peeling.
Blistex Five Star Lip Protection SPF 30 is a slim, no-frills option that slides into any pocket. For face and body, Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen is lightweight, doesn’t pill under makeup, and won’t leave white streaks on your festival outfit.
#5 Hair Ties or Claw Clip
By mid-afternoon, you’re going to want your hair off your neck. This is one of those items that seems insignificant until you’re sweating through hour six and your hair is stuck to your face.
Pack a few no-damage elastic hair ties as backups (they have a way of disappearing) or a claw clip or cute butterfly clips that double as a stylish accessory.
#6 Sunglasses
Beyond the obvious sun protection, sunglasses help with dust, wind, and the general sensory overload of being in a massive crowd all day. Bring a pair you wouldn’t be devastated to lose. Festivals are rough on accessories, and sunglasses get dropped, sat on, and stepped on constantly.
Madewell Russell Oval Sunglasses hit the sweet spot between stylish and affordable. If they survive the weekend, great. If they don’t, you’re not out a huge investment. Sojos is a budget alternative that I’ve also been wearing for years at festivals.
#7 Snacks (If Allowed)
Festival food is expensive and the lines can be brutally long. Having a few compact, high-energy snacks in your bag means you can keep going without losing your spot or your budget.
Clif Bar Minis are half the size of a regular bar but still filling. KIND Bars are a reliable standby. Honey Stinger Waffles are a personal favorite among many festival veterans because they’re light, portable, and taste like an actual treat rather than a protein supplement.
Just check your festival’s policy on outside food before packing these, since many don’t allow it.
#8 Tampons (If Needed)
Getting your period at a festival is already inconvenient enough without having to hunt for products in a porta-potty line. Throw a few in a small Ziploc bag so they stay clean and dry in your bag. Cora Non-Applicator Tampons are compact and organic cotton, so they take up minimal space.
#9 Poncho (If Needed)
This one depends entirely on where you’re going. If you’re headed to Bonnaroo, Glastonbury, Electric Forest, or any festival in the Pacific Northwest or UK, rain is a possibility and a poncho is a smart call. If you’re going to a desert festival like Coachella or Stagecoach, you can skip this.
Disposable emergency ponchos fold down to the size of your palm and weigh almost nothing. They’re cheap enough to toss after one use and light enough that there’s no reason not to throw one in your bag when the forecast is even slightly uncertain.
#10 Lightweight Layer (Optional If You’re Staying Into the Night)
Temperatures can drop significantly once the sun goes down, especially at desert festivals, mountain venues, and coastal spots.
If you’re planning to stay from afternoon through the headliner, a packable layer can save you from spending the last few hours shivering instead of dancing or buying an overpriced festival sweatshirt.
A fun barn jacket, fringe jacket, bomber jacket, or just a simple cropped suede, leather, or denim jacket that you can stuff into a backpack or tie around your waist during the day works perfectly.
This is especially worth bringing if you’re carrying a backpack or hydration pack with room to spare. If you’re only bringing a belt bag and going during the hottest part of the day, you can probably skip this.
#11 Everything Else: Wristband/Ticket, ID, Card, Cash, Phone, Keys
Lastly, don’t forget your festival wristband or ticket, your ID (sometimes required at the gate and for any alcohol purchase), phone, and a credit card and debit card.
Some cash ($60-$100 in small bills) is sometimes nice to have, since some smaller vendors and merch booths prefer cash or are still cash-only, and ATM fees inside festivals are high. Most festivals are card-friendly or fully cashless now, but cash is good insurance in case your phone dies, and you rely on a digital wallet.
Keep your phone, keys, and all these important items in a zippered interior pocket of whatever bag you choose, so they don’t fall out when you’re grabbing for something else.
Optional Nice-To-Have Essentials
These aren’t critical for survival, but they can significantly upgrade your experience if you have the space.
#12 Earplugs For Sound
This might sound counterintuitive at a music festival, but high-fidelity earplugs reduce volume without distorting sound quality. If you’re close to the speakers for hours, especially across a multi-day festival, your ears will thank you.
Loop Experience Earplugs are designed specifically for live music. They lower the decibel level evenly across frequencies so the music still sounds full and clear, just at a safer volume. The compact carrying case clips to a keychain or bag zipper.
#13 Blister Patches, Band-Aids & Advil/Tylenol
You’re going to walk miles. Even in broken-in shoes, blisters happen, especially in the heat when your feet swell, so it’s nice to have options on hand to keep you comfortable.
Hydrocolloid blister patches are far superior to regular bandaids. They cushion the area, absorb moisture, and stay put even when you’re sweating. Apply them to your heels and any pressure points before you even leave for the festival, not after you feel rubbing.
Welly Bandages are flexible and waterproof, good for any scrapes, cuts, or random festival injuries. And a small pack of Tylenol Extra Strength takes up almost no space and can save you from sore feet or a headache ruining an entire evening set.
#14 Festival Picnic Blanket
If you like to sit back on the lawn rather than push into the crowd, a lightweight blanket gives you a clean spot to claim.
The Baggu Puffy Picnic Blanket (strawberry print) is lightweight, folds up small, and is undeniably cute.
If you want something more practical, the ECCOSOPHY Sand-Proof Beach Blanket is waterproof on the bottom, won’t collect grass or dirt, and packs down into a tiny pouch.
#15 Handheld Mini Fan or Neck Fan
Standing in direct hot sun in a packed crowd with zero airflow is one of my least favorite parts of a music festival. A small personal fan can make a difference in your comfort level.
A rechargeable handheld mini fan is compact and gives you a strong, direct breeze when you need it. Otherwise, a portable neck fan sits around your neck like headphones and provides hands-free airflow, which is nice when you want to keep both hands free for dancing or holding a drink.
#16 Anti-Chafe Stick (If Needed)
If you’re wearing shorts or a skirt and your thighs touch (which is most of us), hours of walking in the heat can lead to painful chafing.
Megababe Thigh Rescue Anti-Chafe Stick glides on like deodorant and creates a protective barrier that lasts for hours. Apply it before you head out and reapply as needed. It’s compact enough to keep in your bag for touch-ups.
#17 Disposable Camera/Instax Camera
There’s something about a film camera at a festival that captures the energy better than a phone ever does. No filters, no retakes, just real moments. Plus, you save your phone battery for the things that actually need it.
A Fujifilm QuickSnap Disposable Camera is cheap and lightweight. The imperfect photos might end up being the ones you love most. If you want instant gratification, a Fujifilm Instax Mini lets you hand physical photos to the people you meet, which is a fun festival move.
#18 Reusable Female Urinal
Festival porta-potties are notorious for having pee all over the seat, no toilet paper, and general conditions that make hovering your only real option.
A reusable silicone female urination device lets you skip the seat entirely and use the porta-potty standing up, just like a dude.
It’s lightweight, compact, and easy to rinse with a bit of water from your bottle. Fair warning, though, there’s a learning curve, so practice at home before bringing it to a festival.
#19 Bandana
A bandana is one of the most versatile items you can bring to a festival. Use it as a dust mask when the wind kicks up, a headband to keep sweat and hair out of your face, a neck cover for extra sun protection, or tie it to your bag as a colorful identifier when you’re trying to find your friends in a crowd.
Cotton paisley bandanas come in a pack and cost almost nothing. Bring two so you have a backup if one gets sweaty or dirty.
#20 Drink Koozie
If you’re buying canned drinks at the festival, a koozie keeps your drink cold longer in the heat and gives you a better grip when your hands are sweaty or slippery from sunscreen.
A neoprene slim can koozie folds flat and takes up hardly any space in your bag. It’s a small luxury, but on a hot day, the difference between a lukewarm seltzer and a cold one is a nice upgrade.
Other Essentials To Wear to the Festival
These don’t go in your bag. You wear them. But they’re just as important as what’s inside your bag.
#21 Sun Hat
Your scalp burns too, and no amount of sunscreen reapplication covers the top of your head. A hat also keeps the sun out of your eyes and helps manage festival hair on day two or three of a camping weekend.
The Brixton Joanna Straw Hat is a wide-brim option that works for just about any festival. It gives you serious sun coverage across your face and neck, looks great with everything from denim shorts to a sundress, and is well-made enough to last multiple festival seasons.
If you want something smaller, the Brixton Ellee Straw Packable Bucket Hat is a great option that won’t get crushed in your bag. And if you’re headed to a country or Americana festival like Stagecoach, the Lack of Color Raffia Cowboy Hat is lightweight, breathable, and fits the vibe perfectly without feeling like a costume.
#22 Comfortable Shoes (Preferably Closed-Toe)
This is arguably the most important decision you’ll make for festival day. You’re going to walk 15,000 to 20,000 steps, stand for hours, and navigate uneven ground, dust, mud, or grass.
Go for closed-toe shoes if you can, so your toes don’t get stomped at a set in the crowd (speaking from personal experience, it hurts like a motherf*cker).
These are my two favorite picks depending on the vibe of the festival:
- Dr. Scholl’s Time Off Sneakers are a great option if you want something lightweight and cushioned that doesn’t look like a running shoe. They have memory foam insoles and a clean, minimal design that works with shorts, skirts, or dresses.
- Blundstone Chelsea Boots are the rugged, all-weather pick. They handle mud, rain, dust, and concrete equally well, and the elastic side panels make them easy to get on and off at the end of a long day. They do need to be broken in before the festival, so don’t wear them for the first time on day one.
What Not to Bring to a Music Festival
- Oversized bags that don’t meet size requirements. Getting turned away at the gate because your bag is too big is a frustrating way to start your day. Check the policy, measure your bag, and don’t assume it will be fine.
- Expensive jewelry or accessories you’d be upset to lose. Things fall off, get stepped on, and disappear in crowds. Wear fun, affordable pieces instead.
- Full-size beauty products. You don’t need a full bottle of sunscreen or a full-size deodorant. Travel sizes and minis only. It’s much more fun to dance all day when you don’t have a heavy bag.
- Anything irreplaceable. If losing it or ruining it would genuinely upset you, leave it at home or in your car. Festivals involve dust, mud, spilled drinks, rain, and thousands of people in tight spaces. Your things will take a beating.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mimi McFadden
Founder & Editor-In-Chief
Mimi McFadden started The Atlas Heart in 2013 to write about her travels abroad. After spending 15 years visiting 45+ countries, she realized she’d accidentally become a packing expert in the process. Now, The Atlas Heart is all about helping women figure out what to pack, what to wear, and what gear is actually worth it. When she’s not deep in a packing list or testing out new travel shoes, you can find her hiking with her son, reading in her chaise lounge, winning 3-point contests against her husband, and playing board games with friends.
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