Let’s be honest — summer music festivals are not for the faint of heart. Between the sun, the crowds, the schedule, and the sensory overload, it’s a full-body experience, equal parts euphoric and exhausting. And yet, despite it all, music festivals still draw millions each year — because let’s face it, the vibes are worth it.
Come for the music, stay for the post-festival bliss.
With a little planning and a whole lot of hydration, you can make it through the weekend like a pro (and still rock a fly festival look while doing it). Whether you’re headed to Lollapalooza in Chicago, CMA Fest in Nashville, Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter Tour, or Governor’s Ball in NYC, here’s how to thrive in the thick of it — and how to bounce back in comfort when the last set ends.
Hydration > Everything
No, you can’t skip this one. On a scorching hot day, a frozen cocktail may be calling your name (relatable), but if you’re not chasing it with water, your future self might have a headache. Keep a collapsible water bottle on you and re-fill it at stations throughout the festival grounds.
To level up your hydration state, individual packets with electrolytes and salt can add a layer of effectiveness (making sure your body absorbs more of the water you drink) that could be the difference between feeling blah and feeling great. LMNT, Transparent Labs, and Instant Hydration all make great options — flavored and unflavored.
Staying hydrated never looked so chic.
Collapsible water bottles are an easy way to carry water with you throughout the day. A perk: When collapsed, they can fit in your fanny pack or a pocket.
Your Feet Deserve a Treat
You will walk. You will stand. You might dance. Ditching the cute-but-cruel shoes and opting for sneakers that can go the distance is a savvy festival move. Be sure to break them in weeks before your big event, so they’re shaped to your feet by the time you get there.
A few of our favorites for warmer temps include Birkenstock Arizona Vegan Sandals, which are known to be cushiony and mold to your feet. For comfort, try New Balance 550 or Adidas Ultraboost sneakers. Opt for Hunter Chelsea Boots on rainy days, and for dusty days pull out the Doc Martens with sole inserts.
Sore feet, who? Soak, salt, and recharge in your Kimpton tub — your post-festival ritual awaits.
If your festival fit demands shoes that weren’t exactly made for walking, we respect the commitment. Do your feet a favor, though, and stash a pair of sneakers or slides in a locker (most multi-day festivals have them).
At night, it’s time for a soak. Fill up your hotel’s tub with warm water and let your feet soak for at least 15 minutes, ideally adding in some Epsom salts.
Master the Layer Game
Check the weather when you pack and again each morning of the festival. It’s not unheard of for temperatures to be 90 degrees at noon and suddenly 65 with a breeze when the nighttime headliner starts. Bring a packable, lightweight sweater or oversized shirt that you can tie around your waist when the sun’s high and throw on when temperatures dip.
Layer up, glow up — pick a hat that works from sun-up to headliner.
On sunny days with a high UV index, you may want to wear a head cover, such as a ball cap, a bucket hat, or a headscarf, to protect your skin from the sun.
If the forecast calls for rain, a lightweight jacket with a hood can save you $20+ on a poncho purchase (and a long line). Uniqlo’s Protection Parka is a tried-and-true option, available in Women’s and Men’s sizes.
Designate a Meet-Up Spot
Know where to regroup if you and your crew get separated. As soon as you walk in on day one, find a spot (preferably in the shade) to designate as your meet-up spot. This will save you some irritating back-and-forth if phone service is spotty or if (when) someone’s phone battery dies. Even if nobody gets lost, your designated meet-up spot can be where you and your friends reconvene at the end of the night or in between sets.
Pack a Recharge Kit
Your kit should contain a portable phone charger, electrolyte packets, facial mist, antibacterial hand wipes, an alcohol pad, a few Band-aids, Advil, ear plugs, lip balm, and mints. Lay everything out on your hotel room’s desk each night to take inventory.
Your recharge kit = your festival lifeline.
One recharge kit addition we love is a mini iPhone fan. Plugged into your phone’s lightning port, it can come in handy for those mid-day moments when the summer sun is really doing its thing.
Get Closer to the Stage from the Sides
Instead of trying to make your way forward from the back of the crowd, try to walk around the crowd on the side, and then enter it stage left or right. It’s easier to cut through a crowd sideways because you take up less space, and people will see you coming and take note. Before you get too close to the stage though, keep in mind that getting close — but not too close — is really the sweet spot.
SPF Like You Mean It
Reapply, reapply, reapply. You’ll thank yourself when your sun-kissed glow doesn’t turn into a regretful peel. These days, there’s a sunscreen for everything — from shimmery to mineral-based, anti-pore-clogging to tinted. Many come in mini versions, so they’ll fit right into your small festival bag, or even your pocket.
And yes, sunscreen is non-negotiable.
The real headliner? Smart sun care, all weekend long.
A few often-missed body parts to be sure to cover include the tops of your ears, the sides of your neck, the tops of your feet, your midriff, and your lips. Beloved sunscreen brand Supergoop! carries a great Poof Mineral SPF 35 Part Powder that protects your scalp if you’re going hatless.
If you burn easily or your skin feels tight after hours in the sun, store some after-sun gel in your room’s mini fridge for a cool little self-care moment once you return back to your room.
Presenting The “Festival Edition” of Kimpton’s Iconic Lending Program
This summer’s hottest hotel amenity? Glitter freckles! And rhinestone cowboy hats, and bracelet kits — all the things that you dream about to maximize your festival-going experience.
Festival essentials, Kimpton-style: Glitter freckles, rhinestone hat bands, and bracelet kits. Forgot it? We’ve got it.
Kimpton’s long-beloved Forgot It? We’ve Got It! lending program is adding festival flair this summer as several Kimpton hotels across the US will offer guests complimentary, or for purchase, festival necessities and accessories. Expect things like:
- Glitter freckles
- Mini sunscreen
- Electrolyte packets
- Stadium size-approved clear bags
- Bracelet kits
- Collapsible water bottles
- Mini iPhone fans
- Mini first-aid kits
- Rhinestone cowboy hat bands
These hotels, each with fun festivals fast approaching, will be participating:
- Kimpton Aertson Hotel (Nashville, Tennessee)
- Kimpton Cardinal Hotel (Winston-Salem, North Carolina)
- Kimpton Gray (Chicago, Illinois)
- Kimpton Hotel Monaco DC (Washington, DC)
- Kimpton George (Washington, DC)
- Kimpton Hotel Eventi (New York, New York)
- Kimpton Pittman (Dallas, Texas)
- Kimpton EPIC (Miami, Florida)
- Kimpton Hotel Palomar South Beach (Miami, Florida)
- Kimpton Hotel Wilshire (Los Angeles, California)
After the encore, retreat to crisp linens, a restorative soak, and a well-earned nightcap.
Let the adventure begin.
Come for the Music, Stay for the Recharge
We get it. When you choose Kimpton for your music festival adventures, you came for the music, the outfits, and the unforgettable moments by the main stage. But you’re here for the after, too — the deep sleep in luxe Italian sheets by Frette, the quiet cup of coffee at our signature morning kickstart, the feeling of being taken care of.
So festival on, friend. When the lights go down or you realize that you forgot to pack an essential item, we’ll be here to bring you back to life.
