It's that time of year, again -- the time of year when people across the land break out their flower crowns and flash tattoos in preparation for the most anticipated events of the summer season. Oh, yes, the music festival season has come around. Whether you're a first timer or a weathered veteran, it's important to know the ins and outs of the festival world in order to get the most out of your musical experience.
As everyone who has ever been to a music festival knows, these things can get ridiculously expensive. From the ticket to the outfit, and even the food, music festivals can be a money pit if you don't play your cards right. So, in order to help you get the most out of your experience while also saving your hard earned cash, here are some helpful tips to get you through the summer festival season with your wallet still in tact.
1. Don't let 'hanger' get the best of you.
If you have ever felt the very real, very unpleasant experience of being 'hangry' (the combination of hunger and anger) then you know how it can ruin everything, no matter where you are or what you're doing. You could be floating on a lazy river at a private resort on your own island, and still be utterly exasperated if your hanger isn't satisfied. This aggravating feeling can most definitely plague your festival adventures if you're not careful.
What many people don't realize (until it's too late) is that the food inside music festivals can get crazy expensive, thus leaving you to choose between a continuous 'hangry' state and an empty wallet. To save yourself from making this daunting decision, I offer you the simple solution of eating beforehand! Whether you make yourself a hearty meal before you leave for the day, or chow down on some Chipotle right outside of the festival gates, there are always tasty (and inexpensive) alternatives to festival food. If you're anything like me, and can't make it more than a couple of hours without refueling, make sure you also bring snacks with you. Although some music festivals don't allow outside food, I've always found that many festival attendants will let it slide if it's prepackaged and relatively small (think granola bars). It's always worth a shot!
2. Public transportation is your best friend.
Whether you are 10 hours from your festival site, or 10 minutes, transportation costs can really put a dent in your budget. For long distance traveling, you can save yourself the grief of an expensive plane ticket by checking out bus and train options. Companies like Megabus and Greyhound offer super cheap bus rides to just about anywhere (I've taken trips from Philly to D.C. for just $12), while Amtrak offers slightly more expensive, but still incredibly reasonable train rides to multiple locations. For those of you who live relatively close to the festival site, there are tons of ways to get to where you're going without spending a small fortune! Instead of spending money on gas, and shelling out cash for parking, try taking a commuter train, bus, or shuttle if available. These not only save you money, but also save you from the hassle of parking and the inevitable traffic!
3. Don't shop till you drop!
We all know that music festivals are really just glorified fashion shows where each person tries to have the most creative, insane, and on-trend outfit out there. Although we'd all kill to have Kendall and Kylie's festival wardrobe, not many of us are willing to spend our college fund on these designer outfits. Don't fret! There are plenty of ways to look cool and collected without giving your left arm to do it.
Dig through the back of your closet to find old clothes that can easily be turned into something funky and new with a little love and DIY creativity! With simple supplies like scissors, studs, and dye, you can turn your old graphic t-shirt into a super cool fringed top, or copped tank. If you're not the crafting type, you can always raid your friends' closets to see what hidden gems they may have tucked away that will help you create the perfect festival look!
4. Hotels, hostels, and homes.
If you're from out of town, or simply want to stay closer to the festival site, then you're most definitely going to need a room of some sort to stay in. Unfortunately, hotels around the festival site can practically smell your desperation for a place to stay, and proceed to laugh in your face as they role in the pile of cash you just had to dish out to them.
Have no fear, naïve one, there are many ways to avoid this brutality. If you simply must use a hotel, I suggest planning far in advanced. Usually the earlier you book a room, the cheaper they are, plus you have more options open as they have yet to be booked up by other music festival fans. You can also share a room with friends, to split the cost. Hostels can be a great (and cheap) alternative to hotels, as long as you do your research! Make sure the hostel has good reviews so you don't end up in some dumpy, barely livable pit for a room. Another great alternative is to stay with friends or family, nearby. This usually costs little to nothing, and can be much more comfortable and accommodating than any hotel around!
5. I've got a golden ticket!
It might as well be made of gold for the price you have to pay for it. Even if you save on everything else, you can still hurt from the huge financial blow that the festival ticket itself takes on you. Because you are essentially getting to see dozens of bands for one ticket price, these festival tickets can be crazy expensive. That's why it's imperative to do your research before buying! Some websites offer promotions and discounts on certain festivals. Before buying a Made in America ticket last year, I researched my ticket options, and ended up finding an amazing package deal which let me buy two tickets for the price of one (which I ended up splitting with a friend). This most definitely eased the sting of such a big purchase. If you're feeling lucky, you can also try to win tickets through online contests or radio shows.
So there you have it. A few easy and totally doable ways to save big on your festival experience without sacrificing any of the fun. Even if you're a first time festival goer, you'll have people thinking you're an expert with all of your cost cutting life hacks. So, go forth young flower crown bearer, and celebrate your love of music and fiscal responsibility!
