Here’s How To Have The Perfect Music Festival Experience

Pro tip: Pack a festival-friendly snack like Blue Diamond Bold and Traditional flavored almonds.

Get your priorities sorted out BEFORE you get to the festival.

Crowds + multiple stages = you aren't going to be able to see everything, so make a list of your must-see acts and plan accordingly. And, if you’re going with friends, make sure you know their priorities too. You want to sort out any conflicts ahead of time.

Friends don’t let friends wander off without first establishing a meeting point.

If for whatever reason you and your friends need to split up — maybe someone needs to go to the bathroom or you want to visit a different stage — don’t go your separate ways until you’ve established a concrete plan to meet up somewhere specific later in the day. Cell service can be spotty, and searching for your friends in a giant crowd sucks. Even if you’re planning to stick with your friends all day, it’s a good idea to arrange meeting spots just in case.

When it comes to festival clothing, function >>>>> fashion.

Real talk: Don’t dress for the #gram. If you prioritize cute over comfy, you’re going to regret it. Walkable shoes are a must. Fanny packs are surprisingly useful. And layers are good for mixed-weather days.

Use your phone (and its battery!) wisely.

If you’re worried about your phone’s battery, consider screenshotting the lineup instead of using the internet or the festival’s app. If you want to worry less about your phone’s battery, bring a portable charger. Seriously, you’ll be glad you did.

Drink water and drench yourself in sunscreen.

If you’re going to be in the sun for hours and hours and hours — and you are! — be smart about it: Hydrate and wear SPF. And then hydrate some more and reapply your SPF. Most festivals now have refillable water stations, so there’s really no excuse for not staying hydrated. And bottles of sunscreen really aren’t that heavy, so there’s really no excuse for skipping that either.

Save money by bringing your own food.

Food at music festivals can be pricey. Save money and stay full by packing a snack. Or two. Things like nuts, granola bars, and trail mix are both filling and easy to carry — perfect for when you’ve finally found the perfect spot near the stage and don’t want to give it up to find an overpriced taco.

Above all, remember that music festivals are supposed to be fun!

In the end, you don’t want to get too hung up on having everything go exactly according to plan. As long as you’re being safe, part of the joy of going to a music festival is going with the flow. Listen to new artists! Meet new people! Dance like crazy! Let go of your FOMO and just have fun.

Fuel your next musical festival experience with Blue Diamond flavored almonds! Treat your taste buds with exciting, unusual flavors like Sriracha, Honey Roasted, and Smokehouse.

Animation by Kirby Darland © BuzzFeed 2017