Festival Tents Guide: Answering All Your Questions
, by Laurence, 10 min reading time
Get prepared for festival camping with Wood To Water using our helpful festival tent guide! Including product recommendations, tips, and advice for your first festival.
If you're planning your first-ever music festival or just about to head out on one, lucky you! There's nothing quite like the feeling of heading into camp with all your friends, great music, and a lot of laughs. But preparation is key, so we're going to answer all your festival tent questions.
There are a lot of things to think about before embarking on your first festival trip. Even if you're a regular goer, it can be hard to remember every little detail.
After all, that tent will be your home away from home for a good few nights, so you need to make sure you're ready.
Sleep like a king by adding a Wood To Water festival tent recommendation to your basket, and you'll receive free delivery*!
In This Guide:
Choosing the Best Festival Tent
| Ideal Size | Ideal Weight | Ideal Material |
| 1-4 man tent | 3kg per person | Waterproof & breathable |
Shopping for a tent can be difficult when you have no idea what to look for, which is why we're here to help.
Before hitting Google, work out what you'll need the tent for.
For example, how many people are you sharing with? Is your festival in the UK, where we often experience rain during the festival season? Have you ever set up a tent before? Or would you be better off with a pop-up festival tent?
Answer those questions as best you can, and let's choose your tent.
What Size Tent for a Festival
The size of the tent (usually referring to the people per tent, e.g. 1-person tent) you bring depends on the number of people you'll be sharing it with. But we recommend anything from a 1- to 4-man festival tent.
Anything bigger than that will be too bulky to fit in your car, carry, and set up in a small area (festival campsites are always cramped).
We recommend getting a tent slightly bigger than the number of people for extra comfort and space.
Shop some of our tent recommendations below!
What Weight Should a Festival Tent Be?
Ultimately, you want something lightweight and easy to carry. After all, who knows how far you'll have to walk from the car to your site? You'll also carry a hefty rucksack with sleeping bags, chairs, and other camping gear, so you don't want loads of extra weight.
Festival tents should weigh absolutely no more than 3kg per person. If you can get less, that's even better.
Here are some of our recommendations for lightweight tents.
What Material Should a Festival Tent Be Made From?
Due to the unreliable weather in the UK, you'll need a tent that can handle all weather, come rain or shine.
Polyester tents are widely recommended for festivals due to their affordability, weather resistance, and lightweight material.
Having said that, don't get too bogged down by the material. As long as your tent is waterproof and breathable, you shouldn't have a problem at your festival.
Here are some of our waterproof and breathable tents…
How to Secure a Tent at a Festival
Securing your tent at a festival can be tricky. You want to make sure it's secure in terms of stability and durability, but you also want to make sure it's secure from theft.
Don't worry, we'll talk about both.
Especially if you're attending a UK festival, the weather isn't always reliable, and you can experience some adverse weather conditions. You definitely don't want it to be your tent flying around camp, we’ve all seen the Leeds Fest 2024 videos, right?
Here are some things you can do to keep your tent safe and secure:
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Use Quality Pegs and Pole: If you've had your tent for a long time, you might be due a pole and peg upgrade. Or, it may be time to consider a brand-new tent. Use Tarp: We'll mention tarps again later (they are super versatile), but using a tarp can save your tent from any rain damage and wind. Pitch-Up Area: Select a flat, sheltered place to pitch away from any flood zones. That could be a disaster waiting to happen. |
How to Lock a Tent at a Festival
Now, we all know that thievery is a risk when you're at a festival, but is the answer a lock?
Well, actually, no.
If a lock is visible from the outside, it's almost an invitation to a thief; it shows you have something in your tent worth taking.
Instead, try this:
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Choose a Sturdy Tent: You can guarantee sturdiness by taking a tent like one of ours from Highlander or Robens. This will make it more difficult for the thief to get inside. Meet the Neighbours: Introduce yourself to the people close to your tent. This way, if they notice anyone trying to get in while you're gone, they can let you know or try to stop them. Leave Valuables at Home: Never leave valuables or large amounts of money in your tent. Simply take them with you, or leave them at home. |
How to Find Your Tent at a Festival
Among the sea of tents that all look the exact same, how on earth are you expected to find yours? Well, there are two ways which are actually pretty simple:
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First: Note something recognisable. Whether that be a food truck, a sign, or the toilet block, make sure you know where you pitched up. Secondly: Make your tent stand out! It's not always easy to buy a tent that's a completely different colour from others, but you can add something like a flag or windmill so you know it's yours. |
How to Keep Your Tent Cool at a Festival
If you're lucky enough to have hot weather at a festival, you need to make sure your tent stays cool to avoid restless nights, early wake-up calls, and just general discomfort.
So, here are some ways to keep your tent cool and ventilated during your stay:
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Use Tarp: This will go over your tent to limit sunlight penetration. Tarps also come in handy if you have a rain spell. Choose a Good Quality Tent: Choose your tent wisely, and pick one with good ventilation. Try to keep the ventilation vents open where possible, including the main door to your tent. Pitch-Up Area: Pitch up in a shaded area. |
Camping With Festival Tents: Rounding Up With Some Final Tips
Camping in a tent at a festival can be a really fun and memorable experience with your friends or family – it wouldn't be so popular if it weren't!
But to make your experience even better, follow our guide, and you'll have a fantastic time at your festival.
To finish off, here are a few more tips that you should note before attending your big weekend:
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Site Selection: Don't pitch your tent in any fire paths, this could be dangerous for you and everybody else in the camp. Guy Lines: Try to use glow-in-the-dark guy lines so you and others don't trip over them. Regular Checks: Check all anchors and lines often, especially before bad weather, to maintain security. |
Shop our tents online today and get free delivery *when you spend over £60!
