At ¡HOLA!, festival season is our favorite time of year. Our team hits Coachella every year, so we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) what you actually need to get through those long, sunny, hot days and nonstop desert days.
Now, with weekend 1 of the renowed music festival around the corner, the excitement is very real. Between Karol G making history and a lineup packed with must-see performances, it’s going to be a weekend worth every bit of the hype.
© Getty ImagesHowever, festivals are not for the faint of heart and unprepared. You spend hours in the heat, endless walking, packed crowds, and somehow still wanting to look cute in every photo. It’s a lot. The difference between having the best time ever and feeling completely drained usually comes down to what’s in your bag. The right essentials can be game-changing. The wrong ones, or in better words, the lack of them entirely, suddenly have you in survival mode.
And because we wouldn’t want any of you to miss out on the full festival experience, we pulled together a packing list for you. An easy, practical cheat sheet. Things you might think are obvious, but if you forget them, you’ll definitely regret it. From sunscreen you’ll actually remember to reapply, to earplugs that save your sanity, to those little extras that pull your whole look together, these are the essentials that keep the vibes high and the stress low. Because yes, you want to look good, but you also want to feel good, stay hydrated, avoid blisters, and actually make it to the last set without crashing.
Scroll below to see a select of editor-approved picks that give you an idea of things you can add to your cart before your trip.
Check List: Survival Essentials
- Sunscreen (face + body)
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Hat or bandana for extra sun coverage
- Reusable water bottle or hydration pack
- Electrolyte packets
- Blister patches or band-aids
- Portable fan or cooling towel
- Mini first-aid kit
- Hand sanitizer and deordorant wipes
- Tissues or toilet paper
- Earplugs
- Portable charger
- Lip balm with SPF
Fashion + Fun Extras
- Statement sunglasses
- Layered jewelry that won’t tarnish
- Hair accessories (clips, scarves, braids)
- Light jacket or hoodie for nighttime
- Crossbody or mini backpack
- Fun belts or waist chains
- Sheer or crochet layers
- Statement boots or festival-ready sandals
- Body shimmer or glow oil
- Makeup touch-up kit
- Face gems or temporary tattoos
- Nail stickers or press-ons
¡HOLA!'s Top Picks
Sunscreen
When it comes to festival must-haves, sunscreen is definitely a non-negotiable item, and this one checks every box. Neutrogena’s new Ultra Sheer Invisible Gel SPF 40 is lightweight, fast-absorbing protection that goes on completely clear with a soft, velvety matte finish, so no white cast, no greasy feel.
This Neutrogena formula is designed to perform in all conditions. It’s fragrance-free, suitable for sensitive skin, and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, making it ideal for intense heat and the desert climate of Coachella.
A personal fan
This is one of those things you don’t think you need until you’re standing in the middle of a crowd, in full sun, questioning all your life choices. The Shark Chill Pill Personal Fan is small, easy to throw in your bag, and honestly, a lifesaver once the heat kicks in. It will lower skin temperature by up to 16°F just on contact. Not to be dramatic, but this might be the item that saves your entire day.
Even better, Shark just dropped its first-ever collaboration for the ChillPill, teaming up with Justin Bieber’s SKYLRK on a limited-edition “Heat” colorway...perfect timing, considering he’ll be headline Coachella!
Deodorant Wipes
When you’re out all day in the heat, these are a must. Lume Whole Body Deodorant Wipes are made for quick refreshes, whether on underarms, legs, or anywhere you need them. They’re easy, mess-free, and perfect to keep in your bag for a mid-day reset when the desert heat starts to hit.
A Hair and Body Mist
After a full day in the heat, a quick refresh moment is everything. A hair and body mist is one of those small extras that makes you feel instantly put together again, even if you’ve been out for hours.
The dae Dream Veil Hair + Body Fragrance Mist in Vanilla Dae Beam is perfect for that. It’s lightweight, easy to throw in your bag, and gives you a soft, warm scent with a hint of sweetness that isn’t overpowering. You can spritz it on your hair or skin whenever you need a reset between sets.
Practical Upgrades
A Phone Case with a Strap
A good phone case at a festival is all about function and style, and Casekoo really gets that. If you have an iPhone 17 Pro Max, their new LinKOO foldable chain case comes with a crossbody strap, so you can wear your phone hands-free and keep it close at all times. And when you don’t need it, you can just fold the chain away, which is actually super convenient.
If you have a different model, don’t worry, they still have plenty of options. Their bestselling Magicstand Pro case has a built-in stand that makes taking photos and videos so much easier, and they also offer fun designs like the Tarot Series and Starlit Waters if you want something with a little more personality. It’s one of those small upgrades that makes a big difference.
A bag for the essentials
A mini crossbody is basically a festival must. You need something small, secure, and easy to carry so you’re not dealing with a bulky bag all day. The Away Mini Crossbody in cherry red fits just the essentials like your phone, ID, lipstick, sunglasses, and a portable charger, and keeps everything close, which is key in crowded spaces.
And if you want to get through security faster, you can always opt for their clear Stadium Bag. It’s compact, transparent, and makes getting through festival gates way easier. Choose cherry red or go for their new island pink for a pop of color that elevates your festival look.
Top Beauty Packing Picks
Cleansing Removal Hero
By the end of the day, your skin has been through it. Sweat, dust, SPF, makeup, it all builds up fast, and you’re probably not heading straight to a sink. That’s where these come in. These gently cleanse and removes up to 99% of makeup.
Neutrogena’s fragrance-free makeup remover wipes are an easy grab-and-go fix. Even if you’re completely exhausted after a long day in the heat watching your favorite artists, you can still take it all off in seconds and go to bed with clean skin.
Lip Recharge
Between the sun, dust, and everything else, your lips will get dry fast. A hydrating lip you can reapply all day is a must. Jones Road’s Lip Recharge is one of those easy throw-in-your-bag products. It hydrates, adds a little tint, and makes you look more put together in two seconds. The Sangria and Lilac shades are especially pretty.
Cute Acne patches for emergency
Cute star-shaped pimple patches that treat breakouts while blending into your festival look.Breakouts at a festival are just not the vibe, but these make it way easier to deal with.
Starface’s Hydro-Star patches use salicylic acid and hydrocolloid to help shrink spots while protecting your skin, so you can treat and cover at the same time. Plus, they’re actually cute, so you don’t have to hide them.
Travel Razor
A compact, travel-friendly razor kit designed for quick touch-ups anywhere. This is one of those low-key essentials you’ll be so glad you packed. The Flamingo Mini Travel Razor is small enough to throw in your bag, but comes with everything you need, including a mini handle, two blade options, and a vented case to keep it clean on the go.
You can also bring along their mini foaming shave gel, so you’re fully covered for any last-minute fixes.
Cute accessories to complete your look
Boho-Style Sandals
No festival look is complete without the right shoes. A good pair pulls everything together, whether you’re in a flowy dress or denim. These TOMS Abby Flatform Espadrille deliver that easy, laid-back vibe, with espadrille detailing that goes with just about anything, especially in black or a neutral.
It gives you a little height and makes your outfit feel more put together without doing too much. The brand also has a full festival pack with options like crochet wedges, strappy sandals, and woven espadrilles, all with that relaxed Coachella vibe.
Western-Inspired Accessories
If you’re fully committing to festival style, a pair of cowboy boots and a hat just make sense. They instantly pull your outfit together and give it that cool, styled feel without having to overthink it.
Cowboy boots are not just about the look either. They’re actually great for all the walking, especially if you go for a broken-in pair. Add a hat on top and you’ve got both style and function, a little extra shade during the day and a statement piece for photos.
