Great Gifts for the Music Lover Who’s Always Going to Festivals

We love a two-in-one product for festival season. These hyper-absorbent microsuede towels that you can wear around your neck, tie on your head, or use to clean up a mess are just that. They really are that versatile. Soak it in some water if you’re getting sweaty, throw it on the ground to create a makeshift personal blanket, or twirl it around in the air if you’re loving a song. They’re UPF 50+ so they protect you from the sun, too, and since they come in 16 different fun designs, there’s a look out there for everyone. 

While more and more festivals are providing charging stations for struggling device batteries, let’s be real: No one wants to be tethered to some hot plug for an hour while you could be off seeing the best show of your life. OtterBox’s Mobile Charging Kit puts your phone’s device in your hands, with a three-in-one cable that works for multiple devices and an ultra-slim design that’s perfect for tiny festival bags. Because it’s an OtterBox, the device can withstand some drops and jostles and it comes with a limited lifetime warranty so your fest-going friend can get it fixed should disaster somehow strike.

A good blanket is key for the festival-going experience. You can throw it on the ground and have a picnic, lay out on it for a quick snooze, or wrap yourself up in it when it gets chilly at night. Coalatree’s Kachula Adventure Blanket is soft, durable, and stylish enough to meet all those needs, with water and rip-resistant material and zip pockets to stash away your phone, keys, or wallet. It also boasts smart edge snaps, meaning you can tether it to a friend’s blanket to claim a little more space or even turn it into a hooded poncho should the weather go sideways.

Let’s face it: Festival clothes get stinky and no one likes coming home from a long trip, cracking open their suitcase, and facing down a mountain of sweaty, rank garments. That’s why we love the STNKY Bag, which locks in odors to keep everything in your bag smelling brand new. (Now you can buy that band’s shirt without having to wash it the second you get home!) Designed for essential workers and gym-goers, the bag is entirely washable so you can just dump your clothes out into the washer and throw the bag in after them. It’s also a great dry bag for the inevitable rainy fest day: Just pack some dry clothes in the bag and swap them with your damp ones when the weather clears up. 

Attending a music festival is more of a marathon than a sprint and your body knows it. Muscles can get sore and tired, feet can blister, and even the lightest backpack can wear on your shoulders after hours upon hours of wear. Wholesome Hippy’s Calm Cream and Muscle Relief Gel are great for fest aftercare. Slather them on in the tent or the hotel room and let the all-natural, plant-based ingredients help you reset for a new day.

While it’s true that not every festival requires attendees to carry a clear bag, it’s good practice to bring one either way. Snag this versatile stadium-approved crossbody messenger for your festival-going pal and then pat yourself on the back, because they’ll be able to get a ton of use out of it. It features an adjustable strap and multiple pockets to divide your valuables as you see fit. There are even mesh pockets on the side for water bottles for added convenience.

We can’t overstate how important hearing protection is when it comes to concert-going. Too many musicians, fans, and roadies have gone partially deaf from years of exposure to loud sound. That’s why we always travel with ear protection, like these reusable earplugs, which come packed in a dual chamber carrying case that can snap right onto a keyring. They’re super comfortable, easily customizable, and you can clean them in a matter of seconds. In terms of sound quality, they’re also head and shoulders above the crappy little foam earplugs you normally see for sale at merch booths and behind the bar at shows, with high-fidelity 20dB filters that allow for crisp, clear live sound.

Sun protection is important at festivals. That means sunscreen, sure, but it also means a good hat. We’re partial to this Arcteryx Aerios hat, which comes in multiple colors and sizes and is entirely crushable, meaning you can wad it up in a purse or throw it in a pocket and it’ll pop right back into shape when you need it. It’s made of incredibly lightweight materials that let air through so you won’t get a sweaty noggin, and you can flip and fold the brim however you want to make a look that works for you. 

Sometimes being a good festival-goer is about endurance. Can you spend 12 hours on your feet in a field and then transition to the aftershow in a club across town? Goodwipes’ Body Wipes can help you freshen up in a port-a-potty on site or in the back of a cab on your way to your next stop. They’re biodegradable, hypoallergenic, and toxin and dye-free. They’re fairly big at 9.5” by 11.5”, meaning you can cover quite a bit of surface area with just one wipe, and they smell good too. Since they’re individually wrapped, fest-goers can pack one, two, or as many as they think they might need and rest easy knowing that they’re prepared for whatever comes their way. 

At a festival, a fan isn’t just a way of staying cool. It’s also a fashion accessory. Make a statement with this foldable hand fan, which is large enough to create a good breeze but also fabulous enough to start a conversation. While the company has a whole range of styles, slogans, and looks, we’re into this iridescent pink champagne number, which reflects and refracts light, feels great in your hand, and can stand up to hours and hours of hard use. Use it with pride during a Chappell Roan set or a Diplo rager and you’ll not only feel cool but you’ll look cool too.