How to still enjoy your UK festival in the rain

In the UK, it rains - a lot.

And even though we know the rain is good for the plants, the farmers, and nature in general, sometimes you’d just like it not to rain, right?

For instance, when you’re camping in a field. At a festival. For a whole weekend. 

Alas, no one can control the weather (yet) - and being in the UK, it’s most likely going to rain when you’re at a summer festival. 

But honestly, don’t let that put you off going. Even if rain is forecast, you can still have a great time, IF you take a few precautions. 

From what to pack, how to handle a sudden downpour, to drying your stuff afterwards, here’s a handy list for you to be ready for when the weather turns a bit grey.

Want to be prepared for all weather and eventualities at your brand event? We’ve got you covered (literally). 

From umbrellas, caps, wristbands, lanyards and more, keep festival-goers invested by ensuring your promotional products are the headliners of the summer festival season with these great tips and products. 

Check out our range of festival merch headliners for some sell-out brand performance. 

What to pack in case of rain at a festival 

Camping equipment 

Opt for a good-quality tent that’s larger than you need 

Invest in a good-quality tent that’s got both inner and outer layers and is larger than you’ll actually need (think of all your stuff as an extra person). This way, if your stuff were to get wet, you have enough space to keep it separate from everything else. 

Invest in your sleeping bags 

A thin, cheap sleeping bag is literally like a sponge when it rains. Good quality sleeping bags, on the other hand, will keep you dry, even if your tent fails to do so. 

Don’t forget an awning 

Honestly, don’t forgo the awning when it comes to setting up your tent. This will act as an extra level of protection in a downpour, directing most of the rain away from you and your beloved tent. 

Bring stools and camping chairs for storing your stuff 

You might be able to shove your stuff into a corner at home, but in a tent, that’s just a no-go. 

Make sure your belongings never touch the sides of the tent and are off the floor because, if the tent is wet and your stuff were to lean against the sides, this’ll draw the moisture in, and you definitely don’t want that. Plus, you don’t want your stuff on the floor in case of puddles.

Bring light and small stools or camping chairs to keep your stuff safe and off the ground. 

Read more: 14 must-have festival camping essentials

Clothing 

Don’t forget your waterproof coat 

This probably goes without saying, but whatever UK festival you’re going to, your waterproof coat is probably the first thing you should pack. 

Bring waterproofs if rain is forecast 

And if a lot of rain is forecast, get your hands on some waterproof trousers and tops - these will make all the difference in keeping you dry. 

Ponchos are a must 

If you’re still not convinced by waterproofs and don’t want to lug them around just in case it’s actually sunny (it’s okay, we believed in Santa once, too), then at least pack a poncho. 

They’re a lot more portable, but still keep you relatively dry. 

Check out our favourite branded jackets and coats here, perfect for keeping your team dry. 

Don’t wear jeans 

Have you ever been caught in the rain whilst wearing jeans? They stick to you, they shrink in real time, and they’re a nightmare to get dry again. Jeans are not your friend at a UK festival. 

Bring more socks than you’ll need 

Remember your World War One history? Don’t get trench foot at your next festival: bring lots of socks. 

Layers, layers and more layers 

Bring lots of layers so if one layer gets damp, you can just take it off and you’re good to go!

Hats aren’t just for sun protection 

When all else fails, a sunhat or cap can come to your rescue in a sudden downpour. 

Shoes 

Walking boots vs trainers vs sandals vs wellies 

Whatever your preferred footwear, remember that with rain comes mud, and with mud comes slippiness. Those white trainers might look great now, but if they even glimpse some mud… 

Accessories 

Bin bags

Bin bags are great for everything when you’re at a festival. Got some rubbish you need to dispose of? Bin bag. Need somewhere to store your wet clothes? Bin bag. Want to protect your stuff from the rain? Bin bag! 

Tape

Got a hole in your tent? Tape it up! A tear in your canopy? Tape to the rescue! A broken tent pole? Tape it up and you’re on your way! 

Plasters 

With any festival comes a lot of walking, which can lead to sore feet (especially in the rain). Don’t forget to pack some plasters, your feet will thank you.

Read more: Gear up for festival season: don't forget these merchandise favourites

How to prepare for rain at a festival 

Campsite 

Arrive early 

You want to make sure you arrive early at your campsite. This way, you can get the best spot for your tent away from any slopes or areas where water can gather. 

Pitch your tent in a flat area 

If it rains, any sort of slope, even the tiniest of inclines, can cause havoc when you’re camping. Make sure you pitch your tent on the flattest ground available, and no one will wake up in a swimming pool (hopefully). 

Stay away from tall trees

This probably goes against your initial instincts, right? You’re thinking: tall trees offer cover from the rain. 

However, if the tall tree you’re camping under is the tallest in a field of flatness, in the case of lightning, it’s really dangerous. 

If you want to camp under a tree, make sure it’s on the shorter side compared to others in the area. 

Use your guide ropes!

Seriously, these ropes have a purpose and, yes, they may be a hassle to sort out, but it’ll be totally worth it if it rains. The guide ropes keep the sides of the tent from touching the inner walls, so if it rains, they keep the wet walls off of the dry walls - amazing!

Put a ground sheet down 

If you put a ground sheet under your tent, you’ll stop the base of your tent from sitting on damp ground, giving you that extra layer of protection. However, make sure you secure it nice and tight, otherwise you could end up with a layer of water between you and the sheet. 

Have a separate area to store your luggage 

This is where getting a larger tent than you need comes in handy. Use that extra space to store your luggage, so you don’t have to be all cramped up with your dry and wet belongings all in one space. 

Use an umbrella 

Often frowned upon in the actual arena, umbrellas are great for keeping you dry on bathroom visits or whilst at food stalls, and can act as make-shift shelters when all else fails. 

Read more: Our favourite UK-made merch: British weather must-haves

Whilst out in the arena 

Zip up your tent and move things into the middle 

When you’re not in your tent, move all your belongings into the middle of your tent and zip it up. This way, if there is a sudden downpour, you don’t have to worry about rushing back to your tent, as your stuff will stay dry. 

Scope out the arena first 

When you first arrive in the arena, make a mental note of where all the shelters are by scoping out the arena first. 

Use a waterproof bag 

Make sure the bag you bring with you into the arena is waterproof, with plenty of space in it for protecting your belongings, like your phone. 

Bring a waterproof coat with you into the arena 

Your waterproof coat won’t help you if you leave it in your tent. Make sure it’s packed into your waterproof bag as a precaution. 

Use a locker 

If in doubt, use a locker. These can usually be found near the entrance of the arena (ask a staff member to direct you if necessary) and are your best bet for keeping your gear dry whilst watching the performances. 

Read more: From Elvis to Kanye: Here’s everything you need to know about band merch

How to protect your phone from rain at a festival 

Zip lock bags 

You know those bags your mum would put your lunch in for school? Yeah, those are now a lifesaver when it comes to protecting your phone from the rain. Cheap and easily available, you can usually find them in any supermarket. 

Invest in waterproof cases 

Alternatively, you could invest in a waterproof phone case that’s a lot better for the environment and will last through your whole festival career. 

How to get your gear dry again after a downpour 

Put newspaper in your shoes 

This is a really great hack for getting your shoes wearable again in a pinch. Scrunch up newspapers and stuff them into your shoes for a few hours or so. They’ll soak up any excess water, and hopefully leave your shoes comfy and dry again - yay! 

Have extra clothing and bedding in your car 

For when it really rains, make sure you have extras of all your clothing and bedding stashed away, nice and dry, in your car. 

Prioritise drying your camping gear after a downpour 

After a downpour, you can be tempted to go off and enjoy the sunshine; however, utilise this break in the weather for drying as much of your gear as you can by laying it out flat on the ground. 

Keep your wet stuff separate from dry 

This probably goes without saying, but keep your wet stuff separate from your dry to stop everything from becoming damp. 

We know, it’s easier said than done when camping, but taking that little extra time to organise your belongings will make everything a whole lot easier for you. 

How to still enjoy your festival experience in the rain 

You can’t control the weather 

Remember: no one can control the weather, so there’s no point stressing about it. It’s either going to rain, and you’ll get wet, or it’ll rain, and you’ll be prepared. 

Jump in puddles 

Embrace your inner child, and if it rains, go jump in the puddles! Have fun with it and don’t let it spoil your day. 

Read more: 5 easy ways to keep kids entertained with merch this summer

Get muddy 

As a kid, did you ever make mud pies? Or cover yourself in mud? Just me? 

Turn yourself into a mud-covered monster and have fun exploring your wild side. 

Share a hot drink with new friends 

The best bit about festivals isn’t always the music, but the people you meet along the way. Bad weather is an excellent excuse to get a hot drink and get to know your new friends!

Embrace the rain with cool photography 

Get creative with your phone camera and capture your weekend away through the raindrops - artsy and capturing memories. 

Rain, rain, make our day 

Don’t let the rain ruin your UK festival experience -  be prepared for it, embrace it, and enjoy splashing around, making memories. 

As the old saying goes, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.” 

Don’t forget to check out our range of festival merch headliners for some sell-out brand performance (even in the rain).