A FESTIVAL SURVIVAL GUIDE

FOMO. It’s a real (and slightly ridiculous) thing, especially prevalent around festival season. Worried you’ve missed out? Don’t be. There are still plenty of festivals to be had, and we’re here to help you slide right in. Whether you’re popping out to St. Albert’s Artwalk or hitting the road to Jasper’s Folk Fest, here are 10 tips to get you ready, chilling and able. Happy trails!

1. Get your tickets early—It’s not uncommon for music and theatre festivals to sell out months in advance, so be sure to grab your tickets as early as possible. The same rule goes for multi-ticket festivals. Try to get tickets for food and rides as early as you can, too, so that you won’t spend all day waiting in line.
2. Plan your route—Parking can be hard to find at festivals or may even be prohibited entirely. In most cases, you’ll be better off biking or using public transit. Make sure you know the correct routes and departure times so you don’t end up late for your favourite events.
3. Plan your schedule—If you want to see every concert or visit every booth at a festival, be sure to plan your day in advance so that you don’t miss a thing.
4. Charge all of your devices—Many festival grounds won’t have access to electricity, so make sure all of your cameras and phones are fully charged before you leave your house. Bring a few extra battery packs or even a portable charger if possible.
5. Bring enough cash to last the day—ATMs can be hard to come by, and if you do find one, there will likely be many people waiting to use it.
6. Pack a lunch—If the festival you’re attending isn’t food-themed, you might want to pack your own snacks. Festival food can be a little pricey, and you’ll save a lot by bringing food from home. Just be sure to stick to non-perishables or snacks that don’t require refrigeration.
7. Stay hydrated—It can get very hot out there (even in the fall), so make sure to bring at least one large water bottle and to fill it up throughout the day. Hydration is your best defense against heatstroke and will generally help keep your stamina up (and your crankiness down).
8. Come prepared for all types of weather—Most city festivals are outdoors, so remember to pack a hat, plenty of sunscreen, some warm clothes, an umbrella and even a flashlight for the evenings. A small tarp to sit on is also a plus if the grass gets wet.
9. Familiarize yourself with the festival grounds—Most big festivals provide maps to help patrons get around. Print off a copy, or save it to your phone so that you’ll always know where you’re going.
10. Get to know your neighbours—Everyone you meet at the festival will be there for the same reasons as you, so don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation. You already have a lot in common. There are new friends everywhere you look.

Find a Festival or Event!

Pride Calgary,
Shaw Millennium Park,
August 25 to September 5

Art Walk St. Albert, September 1

Cinema Series at
Fort Edmonton Park,
every Thursday at 7:30 pm

ITU World Triathlon,
William Hawrelak Park, September 3

Star Party, Elk Island National Park, September 4

Jasper Folk Festival, Centennial Park,
September 9 to 11