Music festival season has arrived! As a music festival-goer myself, I couldn’t be more excited to head over to my favorite venues and spend time enjoying the music with close friends. However, like any vacation, the expenses can add up if you’re not careful. From traveling costs, camping necessities, and food and festival parking passes, it can get a little pricey. Here are a few ways you can enjoy your experience while not falling into a bottomless pit of spending.
Pick the right festival for you
Festival popularity is at an all-time high and picking the right festival is essential for not only your experience, but your finances. With many options to choose from, it shouldn’t be hard to pick one in close proximity to you with all of the amenities you’re looking for. In my experience, going to festivals within driving distance is usually a good option. This makes it easy to avoid high cost plane tickets and the hassle of getting all of your camping gear shipped to your destination. Also, the price of your ticket varies by festival, so if you’re looking to save some cash, it’s good to research whether you want to splurge for an expensive festival or set your sights on a smaller, cheaper one.
Buy early
Most festivals have early-bird pricing on their general admission tickets. This means that you can get your ticket at least 30% off if you buy it months before the festival is scheduled. These tickets often go quickly so if this is your plan, I would recommend getting updates from the festival of your choice so you know when they are being released. Sometimes festivals have tiers of pricing, so even if you miss the first round of early-bird tickets, you can still nab your tickets at a lower price.
Volunteer
If you aren’t sure you want to pay for a ticket, most festivals allow you to volunteer. For instance, Electric Forest in Michigan, has an application you can fill out to be on the work exchange team. There are usually a few options for how you can volunteer depending on the festival. Sometimes, you’ll get your general admission ticket for free while committing to 6 hours a day of work. Other times, you’ll get a greatly discounted ticket for one or two days of volunteer time. Like early bird tickets, these positions usually go fast so apply months before the festival if this is something you’d like to do.
Travel with friends
Another way you can cut down your costs is by traveling with a group. Not only does this help with gas but you’ll be able to coordinate in advance about what food you can share and which camping items each person can contribute. Then you don’t have to pay for everything on your own and you’ll have a fun group to share the ride with.
Eat smart
One of the easiest ways to save money while you’re at a festival is by bringing your own food. There will be plenty of food vendors near the campground and inside the venue but generally the prices are steep. Start by packing food that won’t go bad quickly and coordinate with friends on what snacks and drinks to bring. I like to bring a lot of water and gatorade to stay hydrated, along with crackers and granola bars for the morning. Pick what items sound best to you and your group but make sure you don’t forget your cooking utensils and plan your meals in advance!
Post by Kristyn Braden
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