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Festival season is officially in session, and this year's lineups are cementing this summer as one of the most hotly-anticipated in a long time.
While there's no Glastonbury for 2026, there has still been no shortage of incredible events across the UK and Europe, including Sziget, Primavera Sound, and Reading and Leeds festival, among smaller-scale day events.
The beauty of festivals is that there are so many ways of doing them - whether camping, glamping, or pitching up in a five-star hotel for the duration. However, all of those options still require meticulously-planned packing lists that the exhausted, hungover version of you will be thankful for by the end of it all.
With that in mind, here’s everything we consider to be essential (yet often forgotten) that won’t take up space in your bag, wherever you're heading this summer, so you can do festival season the right way...
Apple AirTag
Apple
There's nothing worse than having been out all day, facing the wrath of sleep deprivation, and to top it off, not being able to find your tent. But, it would transpire Apple AirTags aren't only great for finding your lost dog, they also make for great tent-hunting tools. Store one in a secret compartment or the bottom of your sleeping bag, and simply use your phone to find your way back without any hiccups.
A good pair of sunglasses (no, really)
Kapten & Son
Fun sunglasses are an obvious festival essential, but investing in a couple of timeless, good quality pairs will change the game. Festivals are long and taxing, and we need something that will not only stand the demanding long days (and nights) in the fields, but ones that we'll continue to love for years to come.
Kapten & Son was quite literally made for adventurers, and while they've been best-known for their practical, yet stylish luggage until now, they've just launched a whole range of versatile sunglasses to go with them.
Designed for every type of sunnies-wearer, there's a pair designed after each of their favourite cities, so you can match your shape to your destination.
Plus, they're fitted with all-important UV400 protection, so you can feel at ease knowing your eyes are well-protected.
Our picks:
Gradient Brown Zurich, Kapten & Son
Como Crystal Tortoise Brown, Kapten & Son
Totem Compass
Totem Labs
Sometimes you stumble across something you never knew you needed, and it rewrites everything. For me, that couldn't ring truer than for the Totem Compass, which I've seen popping up all over my social feeds in the last year.
This sweet, unassuming compass device is actually a tracker that can be paired with up to eight friends at any one time, meaning that even when there's no Wi-Fi or phone service, you can still find your way back to each other. No more "I'll wait here" and losing your group for the eight hours that follow.
Guided by light and the GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), the device pulses in different formations to lead you back to paired devices within 1km, making it a handy way to always stay in contact with your friends.It’s a wonderfully simple idea, particularly for festivals, where phone batteries, patchy signal and an overambitious meeting point can quickly conspire against you.
More so, there's even an SOS app, so, should you find yourself in an emergency, you can instantly alert the compasses, which feels reassuring in big crowds.
Admittedly, setup takes a little getting used to, as it's powered entirely by lights rather than a screen. But once you’ve made your way through the handy user guide, it does exactly what it promises. While there is also an app for added convenience, thankfully you don’t need it to set the device up and can get going straight away.
Better still, the Totem Compass now comes with a range of cute, jewellery-inspired chains and accessories, so it can easily become part of your festival look rather than another piece of tech to lug around.
I found it to be particularly great for all-dayers, with the battery life lasting around 10-14 hours before needing to be recharged via a standard USB-C cable.
A game-changer? I'm starting to think so.
Shark ChillPill
Shark
This summer has undeniably been a hot one, and the last place we want to be feeling the heat is away from the comforts of home, where air conditioning and ice-cold drinks are replaced by dusty festival fields. Enter the Shark ChillPill - perhaps the most coveted accessory of the summer, and something of a saviour for commuters and festival-goers alike.
The first three-in-one portable fan of its kind, it does far more than simply create a much-needed breeze. Alongside the fan, it comes with attachments for water misting and a cooling plate, which can lower skin temperature by up to nine degrees. Essentially, it’s a pocket-sized antidote to feeling unbearably hot.
I put it to the test at Sziget Festival in Budapest, where temperatures reached 32°C, and it very quickly became the most popular thing I was carrying. Friends, strangers and anyone within a two-metre radius seemed keen for a turn, all desperate for a blast of cool air. Despite having 10 speed settings, I found five or six more than enough to create a satisfyingly strong breeze, while the misting attachment provided an extra hit of relief when the air became particularly thick and heavy.
It’s also impressively easy to carry around - and can be stood upright on a table when you need both hands free - while the battery lasts all day on a single charge. My only minor criticism is that it’s a little weighty for its size, but ultimately it's a small price to pay for its power in comparison to similar models on the market.
I've found my new summer sidekick.
Buy the Shark ChillPill here
K2o Electrolytes
K2o
Are you going to hit your water goals at a festival? Unlikely. In fact, if you’re planning to drink alcohol while you’re there, don’t think being in a field eradicates your risk of feeling pretty rotten the next day - particularly if you’re not getting enough sleep. Using hydration sachets packed with electrolytes early in the morning will help you get back on form ready for the day ahead. After all, the worst place to be with a thumping headache is surrounded by thumping music.
These new K2o sachets from Kylie Jenner's brand Sprinter have the added benefit of collagen and hyaluronic acid, and make for an exceptionally refreshing pick-me-up.
Buy here [and read our full review of them here]
Loop earplugs
Unless you've been living firmly under a rock, you may well have seen these little hoops dangling from the ears of festival-goers over the last few years - and if you don't know, get to know. As much as we love music, we also care about protecting our hearing, and Loop earplugs are a game-changer for anyone who wants to experience everything but save their ears from getting damaged.
Their Experience 2 earplugs are a popular choice for festivals, with 17dB noise filtering - and they come in designs that look jewellery-worthy too. While you're here, if you're looking for something slightly stronger to help you sleep, consider their Quiet edition.
A waterproof bag
Antler
Waterproof tent? Check. Waterproof coat? Check. Aside from the essential waterproof items, it's time to think outside of the box a little. Consider a waterproof phone case (especially if you're planning to use it a lot for photos!), or a waterproof day bag in case of an unexpected wet festival, so you can carry on the party with peace of mind.
Icon 2-in-1 Tote backpack, Antler, £78
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