Festival virgin - top tips please!

[Kittycooo]

Gonna to my first festival with my 13 year old daughter and her friend over half term. We are potentially camping for 3 nights (but can come home if we want as live v close by).

what Are you top tips please? I have basically just got a borrowed tent ) weather forecast is sun and warm ish

also tips for clothes and food please !!

thanks !

The best spaces get snapped up quickly so go as early as you can.
Introduce yourself to your neighbours. It’s a festival – everyone’s there for a good time. Plus they might be able to lend you something you have forgotten.
Practice pitching the tent before you go.
Attach something distinctive to the outside of your tent so you can recognise it when you’re heading back to it late after a long day. Or if you don’t want to do that, pitchy next to or near some other distinctive tent/landmark.
If your tent has buy ropes, put coloured tape or pegs on them so you and your neighbours don’t trip over them in the dark.
Whatever you do stay clear of the toilets and anything down wind of the toilets. Steer clear of the security towers and lights unless you like the constant noise of a generator and bright light shinning through your tent all night. Also avoid the bottom of a hill or slope, unless you fancy sleeping in a puddle all weekend.
Don’t put a lock on your tent whilst it might seem like a good idea it simply highlights to any would be thieves that you have something worth stealing inside. A knife will cut through the side of any tent so your also wasting your time and you'll be cursing yourself when you get back to your tent in the early hours and you can't find the key. Just don’t take anything with you that you are not prepared to lose.
Take a head torch. You might look like a miner but trust me you’ll be glad you’ve got your hands free when your scrabbling around trying to find things.
Take ear plugs and maybe even an eye mask if the morning sun wakes you up.
Take lots of plastic bags. You really can never have enough at a festival. They’re handy for rubbish, wet clothes, dirty clothes, muddy wellies. Everything.
Baby wipes are your best friend. And so is toilet roll. Make sure you pack plenty. And if you are worried about messy hair, take a hat or headband and hide it away.
It’s also worth packing bottled water for brushing your teeth.
Take a folding chair for each of you. You’ll want one to sit in first thing in the morning and last thing at night, especially when the grass is damp.
Food is super expensive so stock up on breakfast bars, dried fruit, nuts, oranges and anything else that comes wrapped and doesn’t need to be kept cool.
Instant porridge pots are a lifesaver when it comes to actually wanting to feel full and be ready for the day.
Portable barbecues are popular for festival camping but check the campsite's regulations to make sure you're allowed to BBQ next to your tent.
For clothes anything goes at festivals and whatever you do wear is bound to get filthy, so don’t go wear anything new. Keep it simple and comfortable. Pack a thick jumper and socks - even if the forecast is good, it will get nippy once the sun has gone down.

Oh wow this is SO helpful thank you very very much !!!!

Also take a real pillow -- so much comfier than a camping pillow!

Yes hats at night. Good jumper and wind proof coat.

Black bin liners for muddy boots.

Dress up stuff, hats, glasses, glitter.

Gig bags. Small, zip, cross body.

Have fun!

Thanks all! What is the best stove to get to boil a coffee pot on ? That’s my main concern lol

You only need a small stove. I got a £15-£20 propane gas one from millets about 6 years ago and have been on several 3/4 day festivals since then. Every time its been perfect. Look for one with a Piezo ignition and a handy carry case.
It would be wise to first check the festival’s policy on stoves, as not all are keen on you taking them, or they require you to take a specific type.

blow up mattress for you. They can have roll mats.
blister plasters
pop up stool for you that fits in a daypack for you, they can sit on the ground (folding chairs only for around the tent )
daypacks for all
phone batteries
look at the programme bf you go so you don’t miss the vital stuff
walking shoes/sandals - if you take Wellies do not forget Welly socks
ear plugs
eye mask
(for the kids as well as you, you don’t want them tired)
water bottles
wet wipes
pack a macs
travel towels
loo roll
lantern light for the tent
head torch for finding the loo
take pics or write landmarks in your phone so you can find your tent it the dark - tying something on it is good but it will only help if you get yourself to the right section

latitude has a good packing list on the site

Tent thefts are rife at all festivals and it's usually the first night that it happens so either use the lock ups if they're available or put your valuables at the bottom of your sleeping bag or somewhere nowhere near the door and not easy to find.
Pin what3words for where your tent is.
Put your phone on a lanyard or in a zipped up bag so you don't drop it down the loo
Carry packets of tissues for toilet paper.

Keep a full spare set of clothes in the car. At least you know that no matter what the weather does you have something clean and dry to change into to drive home.

@Shangrila - the ‘what three words’ is an awesome tip and @RomainingCalm with the spare set of clothes in the car! Thank you.