Bring a compliant bag (many festivals require clear bags over a certain size), a photo ID and mobile ticket, an empty refillable water bottle, a portable charger, and hearing protection. Beyond that, what you can carry in depends entirely on the festival’s own rules — they vary a lot from show to show.
This guide uses Lollapalooza’s published policy as a real example of how a major U.S. festival handles bags, outside food, and water bottles, then gives you a checklist and gear list that works for festivals generally. Always confirm the specific rules for your event before you pack, since policies differ by venue and city.
Stats at a Glance
- Bags Allowed: Varies by festival — Lollapalooza requires bags over 6×9 in. to be clear and no larger than 12x6x12 in.; small opaque bags under 6×9 in. are allowed with one pocket
- Loose Articles: Not a standard festival term — hydration packs at Lollapalooza are capped at two pockets total (one for the reservoir, one more) and must be emptied of liquid before entry
- Outside Food: Prohibited at Lollapalooza, including outside alcohol — check your festival’s official site, as some allow sealed snacks
- Lockers: On-site locker rentals are common at large festivals — check the official site before you go for pricing and reservations
The Rules to Know Before You Pack
Bag rules are the first thing to check. Lollapalooza, used here as a representative example, requires any bag bigger than 6″ x 9″ to be clear and no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″. Small clutch purses and fanny packs 6″ x 9″ or smaller can be opaque but are limited to one pocket. Hydration packs don’t have to be clear, but they must be emptied of liquid before you go through security and are capped at two pockets total — one for the reservoir and one more. All bags get searched at the gate, and a pack with extra zip compartments beyond that count can be turned away even if it’s empty.
Outside food and beverages, including outside alcohol, are not allowed in at Lollapalooza. Empty reusable water bottles, hydration packs, and plastic or aluminum bottles are allowed, and the festival provides free water-filling stations once you’re inside — so bring the bottle empty, not full. Commonly prohibited items at large festivals include glass containers, coolers, chairs, blankets, umbrellas, drones, weapons, and professional camera gear with detachable zoom lenses; confiscated items are typically not held for pickup. Re-entry policies and locker availability differ by event and even by year, so confirm those details on your specific festival’s official site before you go.
Gear Worth Packing
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A few pieces of gear solve the most common festival-day problems: clearing security fast, staying charged, and protecting your hearing.
Clear Crossbody Bag
Meets clear-bag requirements like Lollapalooza’s 12x6x12 rule at a glance, so security can wave you through instead of searching a dark tote.
SWIFTER Soft Flask (2-Pack)
Lollapalooza requires water bottles and hydration packs to arrive empty of liquid. A soft flask rolls flat for the walk through security, then unrolls to refill at the free water stations once you’re inside.
Loop Switch 2 Earplugs
A full day of main-stage sets adds up. These switch between quiet and full-volume modes so you can protect your hearing without losing the mix.
CharmGo Pro 45W Power Bank (10,000mAh)
Mobile tickets, maps, and photos drain a phone long before the headliner — there are no outlets on the festival grounds, so bring your own charge.
UPF 50 Cooling Bandana
Outdoor festivals run all day in direct sun. Soak it at a water station and wear it through the afternoon set when shade is hard to find.
Water-Resistant Festival Belt Bag
Small and hands-free, so it clears bag check faster than digging through a backpack. Check your festival’s exact size and pocket limits before you pack it, since some events cap small opaque bags at one pocket.
Quick Checklist
Pack these alongside the gear above — none of them are products, just things to not forget.
| Bring | Why |
|---|---|
| Mobile ticket and photo ID | Required for entry and often for age verification at bars inside |
| Compliant bag (clear or small opaque) | Avoids having a bag turned away or confiscated at the gate |
| Empty refillable water bottle | Allowed through security and free to fill at water stations once inside |
| Non-aerosol sunscreen, 3.4 oz or less | Aerosol sunscreen is commonly banned, but small non-aerosol bottles usually clear security |
| Cash or card | For lockers, food vendors, and merchandise if you don’t want to carry everything all day |
| Comfortable closed-toe shoes | You’ll be on your feet for most of a multi-hour, multi-stage day |
Tips From Experience
Pack your bag the night before and measure it against the festival’s stated dimensions and pocket count — a bag that’s an inch too big or has one zip pocket too many gets left at the gate, not reluctantly admitted.
Screenshot your mobile ticket before you arrive. Cell service gets overloaded near festival grounds when thousands of people hit the network at once.
If the festival offers re-entry or lockers, confirm the exact terms (how many re-entries, locker cost and size) on the official site the week of the show — these details change from year to year.
Explore more: ThrillZing guides.
What to Bring to a Music Festival FAQs
Can you bring a bag to a music festival?
Usually, but with limits. At Lollapalooza, bags larger than 6″ x 9″ must be clear and no bigger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″; smaller bags can be opaque with one pocket. Other festivals set their own limits, so check your event’s official site.
Can you bring a hydration pack to a music festival?
At Lollapalooza, hydration packs don’t need to be clear but must be emptied of liquid before entry and have no more than two pockets total — one for the reservoir and one additional pocket. A pack with more compartments than that can be rejected even if it’s empty.
Can you bring outside food or drinks to a music festival?
At Lollapalooza, outside food and beverages — including outside alcohol — are not allowed in. Policies vary by festival, so confirm on the official site before you pack snacks.
Can you bring a refillable water bottle to a music festival?
Yes, at least at Lollapalooza: empty reusable water bottles, hydration packs, and plastic or aluminum bottles are allowed through security, and free water-filling stations are available inside.
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Photo: Rn.brito / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.