So you’re an adventure junkie looking for the best festival tips ahead of your next big trip – you’re in the right place!
Sightseeing and tourist attractions are all well and good, but festivals can be an amazing way to see a different side of a country. They’re fun, memorable, and all unique in their own right. That being said, you want to make sure you’re experiencing a festival in the best way possible.
And how exactly do you do that?
That’s what we’re here to break down, offering some tips and tricks we’ve picked up over the years while running The Bucket List Company. The result? You’ll know how to make the most out of whatever festival you go to, ensuring it really is the trip of a lifetime…
Know what you’re getting yourself in for
You can probably think of a time when you turned up to an event and it was completely different to what you expected. Maybe you were misinformed or maybe you interpreted the vibe wrong – whatever the reason, it’s a pretty rubbish feeling.
And in a foreign country, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by a situation like this. So to prevent this panic (and to ensure you’re not wasting your time or money), it’s a good idea to research the festival you plan on going to ahead of time.
Read blogs, watch videos, investigate forums; anything that’ll give you a clear picture of what the festival is really like is definitely worth your time. And once you’ve found a festival you like the look of, time your trip to coincide with it and create a schedule to maximise your time there and stop you from getting flustered when you arrive.
Another key thing to prioritise in your research is the etiquette for specific festivals. You might have an idea of what you think is normal in a festival but cultures around the world are all different.
For instance, rules around the consumption of alcohol (or maybe just the excessive consumption) vary depend on the country you’re in. For some festivals, alcohol isn’t a big thing, so brining your own may be frowned upon or even banned.
As long as you’ve done some research into the rules and customs, and you keep them in mind when you’re there, you’ll be fine!
For some general advice, click here to read ‘Cultural Etiquette Tips Every Adventurer Should Know’ but do your festival-specific research too.
It’s also a good idea to learn a few key phrases in the country’s native language. This is a wider travelling tip we recommend to all our adventurers, no matter where they’re going or what they’re doing, but consider learning some festival-specific phrases as well. “Where’s the toilet?” is one that comes to mind…
And regarding packing, just be sensible – things like sun-cream, insect repellent, toilet roll (always an important one for festivals), a first aid kit. If you’re not sure whether to take something, best to bring it anyway. Better safe than sorry after all.
Something additional you might want to bring is a camera. Taking a few pics and videos is a great way to remember the trip and show your friends and family back home, not just for festivals, but for any adventure you go on. If you’re not sure where to start, click here to read ‘Keith’s Photography Tips for Capturing Your Best Adventure.’
(Sent to Keith, not yet uploaded)
Being respectful and open-minded
So, how do you go about having the best time possible when you’re there? It all comes down to these two things: being respectful and open-minded.
The last thing you want in a foreign country is to be seen as being rude or disrespectful, especially during something as culturally significant as a festival. That’s why it’s essential you research the festival’s etiquette ahead of time and then follow it while you’re there, even if you think it’s a little OTT at times.
Equally as important however is that you embrace the festival spirit. There’s no point spending all that money travelling somewhere if you only half-heart it when you get there. So stay open-minded and immerse yourself in the weird, whacky and wonderful ways of whatever festival you’re at. That’s the best way to really create memories for a lifetime.
Chatting with the locals and integrating yourself within them is another brilliant way to get the most out of the festival experience. They’ll ensure you’re always being respectful AND that you’re having the best time possible.
For more tips on this, have a read of ‘How to Connect With Local Communities While You’re Travelling.’
(Sent to Keith, not yet uploaded)
5 things to keep in mind
You’d be forgiven for getting caught up in the excitement and fervour of a festival (we’ve all been there!), but keeping these 5 things in mind will maximise your enjoyment and minimise your stress when you get there:
- Put aside some extra cash – Festivals famously aren’t the most cost-friendly events on earth, so give your wallet enough wiggle room. Speaking of your wallet…
- Keep your valuables safe – There’s not much worse than losing your phone, wallet or even passport. It can ruin your trip and it’s just a faff to sort out, so keep hold of them, especially if you’re staying in a tent. On the topic of tents…
- Invest in a good tent – Obviously this one only applies to you if you’ll be staying in one, but a good tent is one of the best investments you’ll ever make. If you’ve never had the luxury of sleeping in a knackered one, trust me… waking up with a puddle on your pillow is not fun. Our 3 things to look for in a tent: waterproof, well-ventilated, easy to set up. As well as serving you on your festival, it’ll come in handy for any future adventures you go on too.
- Don’t go overboard on the alcohol – You’ll know better than anyone else what your limits are but allow us to say this: surely it’s a good idea to actually remember the festival? Drinking cultures vary across the world so make sure you’re always being respectful, and be aware of the ABV of any drinks you’ve not come across before.
Holi – one of the major Hindu festivals that several of our Bucket List Company trips experience – is a good example of this. While alcohol isn’t prohibited, you should drink in moderation so as to be respectful. Click here to find out more about Holi and which of our trips go there - Always clean up after yourself – This one goes without saying but whatever the festival site was when you arrived, make sure it’s like that when you leave.
And that’s it! The key festival tips and tricks every adventure junkie needs before travelling. All that’s left now is for you to browse the amazing options we have at The Bucket List Company, pick one that takes your fancy, and get it booked.
And why should you travel with us? When you choose The Bucket List Company for your trip, you’re choosing to adventure with a group of like-minded travellers, all under the care of our expert, friendly guides.
You even have the option to pay for your trip in monthly instalments to spread the cost, so by the time it rolls around? It’s all paid for.
So start getting in the mood and get that trip in the calendar. If you don’t book it now… will you ever?
