From Glastonbury mud to Boomtown dust — your definitive packing list for UK festival season 2026. No fluff, no filler, just the stuff you’ll actually need.
Every year, the same thing happens. You tell yourself you’ll pack properly this time. And every year, you end up at 2am on day one, wearing bin bags as a poncho, charging your dead phone from a stranger’s portable charger, and eating dry cereal because you forgot a bowl.
Not this year. We’ve built the definitive festival packing list for 2026 — covering camping gear, clothing, tech, toiletries, and all the small stuff nobody tells you about until it’s too late.
Camping Essentials
Tent
The Coleman Sundome 4-Person Tent is the sweet spot for festivals. Spacious enough for two people plus gear, setup takes about 10 minutes, and it handles rain well.
Buy Coleman Sundome Tent at Argos
If you want something quicker, the Quechua 2 Seconds Pop-Up Tent literally opens itself.
Sleeping
The Trespass Doze 3-Season Sleeping Bag handles UK summer nights. Pair it with a Self-Inflating Camping Mat — the difference between waking up functional and waking up feeling like you’ve been hit by a van.
Buy Sleeping Bags at Argos | Buy Camping Mats at Argos
Lighting
A LED Camping Lantern is essential for navigating your tent at night. A Head Torch is non-negotiable for toilet runs.
Buy Camping Lanterns at Currys | Buy Head Torches at Argos
Festival Fashion
Footwear
Hunter Original Short Wellington Boots are the gold standard. Comfortable, actually waterproof, and they look the part.
Buy Hunter Wellies at John Lewis
For dry days, Birkenstock Arizona Sandals let your feet breathe.
Layers
The Regatta Pack-It III Waterproof Jacket folds into its own pocket. Essential.
For cold evenings, a Fleece-Lined Hoodie under your jacket keeps you warm without bulk.
Festival Accessories
A Waterproof Crossbody Bag keeps your essentials secure and hands-free.
Biodegradable Chunky Festival Glitter — look incredible without contributing to the microplastics situation.
Shop Festival Glitter at Superdrug
Retro Round Festival Sunglasses in bold colours — a fiver and photograph brilliantly.
Shop Festival Sunglasses at ASOS
Tech & Phone Accessories
Portable Charger
The Anker 737 Power Bank (24,000mAh) will charge your phone five or six times. Genuinely a festival lifesaver.
For something smaller, the Anker Nano Power Bank (5,000mAh) fits in a pocket.
Phone Protection
A Waterproof Phone Pouch is a couple of quid and saves you from rain, mud, spilled drinks, and portaloo disasters.
Buy Waterproof Phone Pouches at Argos
Bluetooth Speaker
The JBL Clip 5 clips onto your tent or bag. Tiny, waterproof, 12-hour battery.
Toiletries & Health
The Basics
Biodegradable Wet Wipes are your shower replacement. Batiste Original Dry Shampoo — because by day two, your hair will need intervention. SPF 50 Sun Cream — yes, even in the UK.
Buy Biodegradable Wet Wipes at Tesco
Health Kit
The Festival First Aid Kit covers paracetamol, plasters, rehydration sachets, and more.
Loop Quiet Earplugs — for sleeping, not the music. Reusable and comfortable.
Buy Loop Quiet Earplugs at Currys
Food & Drink
A Collapsible Cool Box keeps drinks cold and folds flat when empty.
A Chilly’s Original Water Bottle keeps water cold for 24 hours.
Buy Chilly’s Bottles at John Lewis
The Jetboil Flash Camping Stove boils water in two minutes — coffee, porridge, noodles.
The “You’ll Thank Us Later” Extras
Gaffer Tape — fixes everything. Bin Bags — for dirty clothes, rubbish, and emergency ponchos. USB Mini Fan — for when your tent hits 400 degrees. Cash — at least £50; some vendors are still cash-only.
Buy Gaffer Tape at Argos | Buy USB Mini Fans at Currys
The Ultimate Festival Packing Checklist
Shelter: Tent, sleeping bag, camping mat, lantern, mallet for pegs
Clothing: Wellies, sandals, waterproof jacket, hoodie, extra socks (lots), shorts, warm layers
Tech: Power bank, waterproof phone pouch, speaker, head torch
Toiletries: Wet wipes, dry shampoo, sun cream, toothbrush, deodorant, hand sanitiser
Health: First aid kit, earplugs, paracetamol, rehydration sachets
Food & Drink: Cool box, reusable bottle, camping stove, snacks
Extras: Gaffer tape, bin bags, cash, bum bag, glitter
Final Word
Festival season is the best part of the British summer — but only if you’re prepared. Pack smart, pack early, and remember: you can always buy food at the festival, but you can’t buy dry socks at 3am.
See you in the fields.
Why Trust Flavourmag? Our team has collectively attended more UK festivals than we can count. This packing list is built from real experience, real mud, and real mistakes. Some links are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Images: pexels.com
