Festival season is upon us.

Across the country, hundreds of thousands of Americans are getting ready to open their wallets to unparalleled experiences that only come once a year. Whether they’re heading to the heart of the city at Lollapalooza or camping under the stars at Bonnaroo, music festivals take our minds, bodies, and souls to places they’ve never been. Like all beautiful things, though, festivals can be deadly for the foolishly unprepared. While drug overdoses are too common, many festival-goers ruin their experiences altogether through entirely preventable and too-common causes like dehydration, severe sunburns, or partying too hard too early on. The Music Festival Survival Guide will serve as a handy go-to for first-timers, seasoned vets, and everyone in-between looking to enjoy the one-of-a-kind experience of a music festival.

Before the Festival: Your Essentials

It never hurts to be over-prepared, and it’s imperative that you’ve got everything you could possibly need for your next festival. Make sure you lock up all the necessities, but don’t be afraid to pack for random changes in the weather. You never know when a random rainstorm may roar its way through your campground! At the very least, make sure you have these items:

Water Bottle/Hydration Pack: I cannot stress this enough. Hydration is KEY at festivals. Whether it’s in the summer or winter, your hydration level will directly correlate with the amount of fun you’re having.

I cannot stress this enough. at festivals. Whether it’s in the summer or winter, your hydration level will directly correlate with the amount of fun you’re having. Sunscreen: Some festivals can last up to four days, and four days in the hot sun is Not Good for your skin. Sunscreen will help you avoid looking like a lobster at the end of the fest.

Some festivals can last up to four days, and four days in the hot sun is Not Good for your skin. Sunscreen will help you avoid looking like a lobster at the end of the fest. Toiletries: This can include, but is not limited to, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, wipes, shower supplies (including soap), and other things to keep you from smelling like a Black Plague victim.

This can include, but is not limited to, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, wipes, shower supplies (including soap), and other things to keep you from smelling like a Black Plague victim. Backpack: Plan on carrying a lot around? Your backpack will reduce the load and make things a little easier as the day goes on. Note: some festivals don’t let you bring backpacks into the show grounds. Make sure to read up before you head in!

Plan on carrying a lot around? Your backpack will reduce the load and make things a little easier as the day goes on. Towels: Stay clean. Please. Nobody wants to be around the dirty dude at the fest.

Stay clean. Please. Nobody wants to be around the dirty dude at the fest. Snacks: Festival food can be expensive! Foods that fill you up like nuts, Clif bars, and other bite-sized snacks can come in handy on days where you’re strapped for cash.

Festival food can be expensive! Foods that fill you up like nuts, Clif bars, and other bite-sized snacks can come in handy on days where you’re strapped for cash. A Hat or Headband: Protect your scalp from sunburns with a hat, or wear a headband to keep your face free from sweat.

Protect your scalp from sunburns with a hat, or wear a headband to keep your face free from sweat. A Sweatshirt or Jacket: The days may be hot, but at night, temperatures can drop suddenly. Avoid catching a cold by bringing something warm — just in case.

Optional Items: I wouldn’t say these are necessary, but they can definitely enhance the experience.

Portable batteries, a small speaker (if you’re at a campsite), a tent lock (if you’re camping), change of shoes, rain poncho, and a disposable camera to capture the memories.

During the Festival: Do’s and Don’ts

Believe it or not, a lot of unspoken etiquette goes into music festivals. The golden rule of music festivals is pretty simple: don’t be that guy. Everyone knows or has experienced that guy once in their lives. You know, the loud, rowdy, obnoxious dude who goes too hard in the morning and can’t handle his liquor in the evening. Yeah. Nobody likes him. Other than that, the do’s and don’ts are pretty self-explanatory:

Do:

Dress for functionality over fashion: You might not like it at first, but you’ll be thankful later when you don’t feel like death at the end of the show. Plus, you can always allocate a day or two to dress for fashion. Just make sure you’re looking out for future you.

You might not like it at first, but you’ll be thankful later when you don’t feel like death at the end of the show. Plus, you can always allocate a day or two to dress for fashion. Just make sure you’re looking out for future you. Make a plan…: Pick out a list of artists you absolutely must see.

Pick out a list of artists you absolutely must see. …but don’t feel obligated by it: The best stories are the ones that never go according to plan. Who knows, you may wind up finding a new artist who quickly becomes a favorite!

The best stories are the ones that never go according to plan. Who knows, you may wind up finding a new artist who quickly becomes a favorite! Embrace the experience: Music festivals are about more than the music. Explore the tents, play the free games, shop around, and don’t forget to take a few pictures along the way!

Music festivals are about more than the music. Explore the tents, play the free games, shop around, and don’t forget to take a few pictures along the way! Make friends: I’ve made lifelong friends and met people who will be in my wedding at music festivals. Don’t be afraid to say hello! People are nicer than you’d think!

I’ve made lifelong friends and met people who will be in my wedding at music festivals. Don’t be afraid to say hello! People are nicer than you’d think! Look out for one another: If it looks like someone’s having a rough time or if they need space, keep an eye out for them like you’d hope they would for you. Festival karma is a real thing and everything comes full circle.

Don’t:

Party too hard, too fast: Festivals are like running a marathon. You don’t want to burn yourself out too quickly. Know your limits and look out for future you so you don’t wind up in the medical tent.

Festivals are like running a marathon. You don’t want to burn yourself out too quickly. Know your limits and look out for future you so you don’t wind up in the medical tent. Steal from other festival-goers: Self-explanatory. Shouldn’t need to be stated, but you’d be surprised at how many people think it’s okay. (spoiler: it isn’t.)

Self-explanatory. Shouldn’t need to be stated, but you’d be surprised at how many people think it’s okay. (spoiler: it isn’t.) Push or shove: This should be self-explanatory as well. Nobody likes being pushed or shoved around, especially when they’ve paid a lot to enjoy a show. Treat others the way you want to be treated.

This should be self-explanatory as well. Nobody likes being pushed or shoved around, especially when they’ve paid a lot to enjoy a show. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Peer pressure: If someone doesn’t want to do something, don’t shame them or make them feel bad for not wanting to do it. We’re all here to have fun. Some of us might have a different definition of fun, but who are we to choose how others live?

If someone doesn’t want to do something, don’t shame them or make them feel bad for not wanting to do it. We’re all here to have fun. Some of us might have a different definition of fun, but who are we to choose how others live? Act selfishly: We’re all here for the same reason. Practice empathy and you’ll receive empathy. Act selfishly, and people will respond in turn. Look out for others the way you’d look out for yourself and it will pay dividends.

We’re all here for the same reason. Practice empathy and you’ll receive empathy. Act selfishly, and people will respond in turn. Look out for others the way you’d look out for yourself and it will pay dividends. Spend your entire time on your phone: This might seem a little preachy, but if you’re paying hundreds of dollars to go to a festival, why would you spend that time looking at something you can look at when you’re home? Don’t be afraid to take a few photos or videos, but make sure to embrace the experience away from your screen, too.

After the Festival: Cherish the Memories

Congratulations! You survived your first (or fifth, or hundredth) festival. There’s a lot you can do now that you’ve made it out alive.

Clean Up After Yourself: If you were camping for the weekend, make sure your site is pristine before you go. If you don’t, you’re leaving your mess for someone else to clean.

If you were camping for the weekend, make sure your site is pristine before you go. If you don’t, you’re leaving your mess for someone else to clean. Consider Volunteering Next Year: Usually, festival volunteers receive free admission and only have to work for a certain period of time. It might be worth it if you’re strapped for cash!

Usually, festival volunteers receive free admission and only have to work for a certain period of time. It might be worth it if you’re strapped for cash! Start Making Your Plan for Next Year: This one’s a no-brainer. If you had a blast, get ready for next year! Start getting a group together, put money aside for supplies, and get to planning!

This one’s a no-brainer. If you had a blast, get ready for next year! Start getting a group together, put money aside for supplies, and get to planning! Take a Long Shower: Nothing feels more satisfying than washing the dirt and grime of the weekend off your body. You’ll come out feeling brand new!

Nothing feels more satisfying than washing the dirt and grime of the weekend off your body. You’ll come out feeling brand new! Get Some Rest: The odds of you getting a good night’s rest every night during your festival experience is slim to none. For the sake of your own health, you might wanna consider turning in a little early.

From the first moment to the last, music festivals are filled with unforgettable experiences and moments that can last a lifetime. Soulmates are met and unbreakable bonds are shared. But, like anywhere else, safety and security is key. That’s why I wrote the music festival survival guide — to help you lovely festival-goers enjoy the experience of a lifetime while keeping an eye on your personal health.

Festival-goers: do you agree with my tips? Disagree? Let me know in the comments! Feel free to share your festival experiences below and any tips you have to offer!