9 Must-Have Festival Accessories

Festival accessories are the perfect way to top off the festival outfit you want to wear. Some accessories are more practical than others and can act as a way to cool you down during a hot set or block you from dust storms. Other festival accessories are there to add spice to an outfit or make lights at a set extra cool. However you are using your EDM festival accessories, use this guide to discover the 10 must-have festival accessories and where to buy them for this season!

Jump to a specific accessory by clicking below:

• Large Hand Fans
• Unique Sunglasses and Goggles
• Pashminas
• Glitter and Sparkles
• Lef Wraps
• Earrings
• Hydration Packs
• KritterKlips and Animal Ears
• Woven Hats and Bucket Hats

1. Large Hand Fans

Fans have a bad reputation because many people who have large festival fans choose to “clack” them to the beat at sets. What they should be used for is cooling yourself down when the heat is unbearable or when you’re dancing too hard to your favorite music! The large fans are nice because they fold up small enough for a hydropack, but can create a big gust of wind when you need it. They also act as a way to find friends in crowds and fill up inflatable couches.

My favorite way to stay cool and also add some extra *magic* to my festival experience is by sprinkling my fan with essential oils. Not only does it make your surrounding area smell nice, but there’s the added benefit of aromatherapy. This fun festival accessory can be found in a variety of colors and prints, and may also have a fun saying!

Fans can be found sold by vendors at many festivals, online at rave stores, or with a quick search on Amazon. Just remember, if you do buy a fan, do everyone a favor and please don’t clack it!

2. Unique Sunglasses and Goggles

Fun sunglasses are another practical accessory that is great for adding some spice to an outfit. From heart-shaped sunglasses and transparent-colored glasses to kaleidoscope goggles, they are the perfect festival accessory for eye protection and distinguishing yourself from the crowd. Wearing sunglasses at night is always a great way to help with the bright lights that may be part of the production at a set. I would say glasses are the easiest music festival accessories that are versatile enough to wear in everyday life. My favorite places to get glasses are Dolls Kill, ZeroUV, and Amazon.

3. Pashminas

Many music festivals take place in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes extreme weather is involved. Pashminas can be utilized as a way to protect yourself from the sun and from dust storms. There are many different ways to wear your pashmina, but a simple way is by draping your pashmina over your shoulders and head during a hot sunny day. You may also choose to wrap it around your face, or add a mask underneath if the dust is really bad! Pashminas can be found online at Amazon, Etsy, or with a quick Google search. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, so matching them to your outfit should be an easy task.

4. Glitter and Sparkles

In my opinion, no festival or rave outfit would be complete without sparkles. There are so many ways to wear sparkles to a show, and sparkles also can turn any outfit into something more. Whether it be classic rhinestones, star-shaped adhesives, chunky glitter, or sparkly highlighter, adding a little sparkle to your look can be the simplest festival accessory yet! Because some sparkles and glitter are not environmentally friendly, consider opting for an eco-friendly brand that creates biodegradable glitter. Eco Stardust and Unicorn Snot are two brands that do just that. My favorite glitter glue to use is the NYX Glitter Primer, which has helped secure sparkles and rhinestones in many environments for me. You can purchase a variety of glitter from Amazon, while the glue that I use can be purchased from either Amazon or Ulta.

5. Leg Wraps

Leg wraps are one of the more underrated music festival accessories. They are utilized more for EDM festivals and raves but will add an edginess to whatever outfit they are paired with. In my opinion, I believe they are not only fun, but they tend to make one’s legs look much longer and thinner than without. Amazon and iHeartraves carry leg wraps in different colors and materials. If you are going for a darker vibe, consider black or reflective leg wraps. For a festival fairy look, you may want to opt for lighter colors with sparkles. When buying leg wraps, make sure they specify being nonslip. Festival accessories should be fun but not annoying to deal with mid-set!

6. Earrings

One of my staples at festivals is wearing a pair of statement earrings. If you’re in a fun dress or an all black-outfit, earrings will always have something good to add. I tend to lean towards large, yet lightweight, earrings. If you dance a lot or get super into the music, you may want smaller earrings or ones that don’t dangle and can get snagged on clothing or hair. My favorite pair of earrings comes from Dollskill and are long disco balls. They are extremely lightweight and I’m often complimented whenever I wear them! You can also find shorter disco ball earrings in a pack on Amazon!

7. Hydration Packs

Hydration packs are absolutely the most important music festival accessories. While it may be annoying to have a backpack on throughout a festival, being able to carry water and any other necessary items is crucial, especially in hotter climates. I always pack my hydration backpack to the brim and am so thankful to have water easily accessible. Oftentimes, having just one water bottle isn’t enough, and almost all festivals have filling stations that make it easy (and free) to drink water. 

My favorite hydration packs are by the brands Lunchbox and VIBEDRATION. Lunchbox is an extremely secure backpack with clips on the zippers and no outer-facing pockets. You can have hydration and security in one! You can purchase a variety of interchangeable skins or decorate them with lights provided by Lunchbox. My favorite Lunchbox feature is the guard that protects where you drink from so you don’t need to worry about dust or dirt. 

VIBEDRATION is a more budget-friendly option compared to Lunchbox, and is a classic hydration backpack design. My favorite things about VIBEDRATION backpacks are the cute designs and durable quality. I have brought my VIBEDRATION to multiple festivals and have only just now upgraded to a Lunchbox for security reasons. They are comfortable, cute, and will last a very long time!

8. KritterKlips and Animal Ears

If you are looking for a way to express yourself and love furry critters, animal ears are such a cute EDM festival accessory to wear. My favorite brand, KritterKlips, makes animal ears in all colors and fabrics, so you can choose the ones that you like best. They are attached to barrettes, allowing you to easily clip them into your hair. They also make furry reversible bucket hats with slits that fit the animal ear clips! Not to mention, when you shop Kritter Clips, you are shopping for festival accessories from a small business!

9. Woven Hats and Bucket Hats

Whether you need sun protection or not, hats are a great accessory to wear during the day and at night. For a cooler night, you can opt for a furry bucket hat with a funky print. If you are wanting sun protection and to stay cool, you may choose a straw or hemp hat. My favorite hat company is called Sunny Life Hats. They create hemp hats that help to keep you cooler than if you weren’t wearing a hat at all! The rims on the hats are made with wire, so you can adjust them to look how you like.

It’s easy to overthink music festival accessories but try to go with your gut. Dress how you like and accessorize with what feels comfortable! Use it as an opportunity to express yourself or to utilize an accessory for its proper function in certain conditions. If you’re like me, remember, you can never use too much glitter!