Family friendly music festival - what do we need to take??

[mambojambodothetango]

We're almost Festival virgins - DH and I went 15 years ago to Lovebox in London and although we did enjoy that, we're not massively festival-type people. We're going to a smallish family friendly music festival on Sunday and I'm having a panic about it. DC are 14 and 9 so not concerned about losing them or whatever, and I'm happy to buy food and drink there. It's more about the comfort factor.

It's forecast to be showery but even if it's hot sunshine we might still need some kind of shelter. At a small festival do you tend to decamp and move around, or is it worth setting up with chairs and a small gazebo? Do people steal things like chairs if you leave them for a while? Not sure sitting on a blanket in all weathers is going to be that comfortable.

What do families take to these sorts of events?

Thanks!

Lots and lots and lots of money

You can’t take a gazebo to a day festival. They’re not even that welcome in the campsite.

Take chairs if you don’t want to sit on the floor but think about how far you’ll have to carry stuff.
Don’t set your chairs up and piss off for hours or people might move them if they’re in the way.

Sun cream
Hats
Waterproofs
A blanket
Water bottles

Just a day? Not camping?

No gazebos, no.
Probably not allowed chairs or umbrellas into an arena, but check the T&Cs.

I'd take a picnic blanket or two - can be used to sit on, wrap round you or take cover under if needs be.

Otherwise, suntan lotion, hats, water bottles and check whether it's a cashless site.

Ear plugs. Sounds silly but sometimes the music gets too much.

Lots of people take camping chairs to small family style festivals. Take rain ponchos, comfy shoes.

Are you going for the day or camping?

What festival?
You may find gazebos are not permitted, most festivals ban them. If everyone took one the view would be restricted.
And yes, any festivals I've been to if you take your own chairs you move them with you. You can't leave them in your "spot."

Definitely chairs or a picnic blanket. Waterproof poncho/mac.
Waterproof trousers make a difference if you are sitting outside and it is wet!

Snacks. Sometimes queues are huge and food is often expensive, just having stuff to take the edge off means less time in queues.

Loo roll/hand santitiser in case the portaloos run out.

I took my own facepaints to the festival we were at last weekend. My 6YO loves the stuff but doesn't like queues.

Thanks all. Not camping, just a day festival. Apparently small gazebo are allowed at the back. I think I might try and get some chairs and that's a good tip to take waterproof trousers. DH can be a bit miserable if he gets cold or wet, so just anticipating the 'let's go home' just when my favourite band come on. It's Folk by the Oak, by the way. Quite small I think.

Hand sanitiser. Some tissues.

I agree a waterproof if the weather looks dodgy.

Check what the deal is for paying for stuff - cash often not taken at all now.

Otherwise most enjoyable if travelling light IMO!

Write your name and phone number on your kids in washable marker!

Check the rules carefully. We went to one 2 weeks ago and no chairs, no picnic blankets and no food and drink were allowed in but you could bring a 500ml empty bottle each to fill up from
the water point. You could leave the festival site once before 5pm in our case

Do take weather appropriate clothing, sunscreen and hat/full waterproofs or both often required in Britain!

www.folkbytheoak.com/faqs/

Having seen the forecast definitely waterproof trousers and probably wellies! Hope you have fun. I was very tempted by Fisherman's Friends - they were terrific when I saw them last year.