What to Pack for Reading Festival: The Ultimate 2025 Checklist 

14th July 2025

Packing for Reading Festival is an art form. Forget something crucial, and you’ll feel it. Bring too much, and you’ll regret every step from the car park to your tent. 

Reading Festival: Sarah Louise Bennett

For this very reason, we’ve put together the ultimate Reading Festival packing list, equal parts practical and stylish, so you can have fun and stay comfortable all weekend long!

🏕️ Camping Essentials

A Decent Tent
Rain is a very real possibility—even in August. Make sure your tent is waterproof, sturdy, and big enough for you and your gear. Pop-ups save time but make sure you firmly peg it into the ground. 

Sleeping Bag + Roll Mat / Inflatable Mattress / Pillow 
It gets chilly at night. A warm sleeping bag, some padding, and even a compact pillow will feel luxurious after a long day on your feet. 

Camping Chair 
For those precious moments of rest—ideal for noodles and cider at basecamp. 

Bin Bags 
For rubbish, muddy gear and keeping things dry. Trust us, you’ll use more than one. 

Tape 
Duct tape is the unsung hero of festivals. It's great for patching tents, fixing boots and emergency situations. 

👚 Clothing and Accessories

Small Rucksack or Bum Bag 
Look for one that’s compact but roomy—a mini TARDIS (Uniqlo has great options). Perfect for carrying your essentials around the arena. 

Waterproof Raincoat
Mud is inevitable. A proper jacket is key, but a poncho is a great space saving alternative if the weather forecast is looking alright. 

Comfy Trainers or Boots
You'll want shoes that are comfortable to walk in that you won't mind getting muddy or dusty. Consider something with a slight platform if you fancy that extra height to see the bands.

Sliders 
For communal showers or just to give your feet a breather. 

Layers, Layers, Layers 
T-shirts or nice tops for the day, hoodie/sweatshirt/oodie for the night. It will get cold when the sun goes down so prepare for anything. 

Extra Socks & Underwear (Double It!) 
Wet feet = misery. Bring more than you think you need. 

Fun Outfits + Glam Makeup / Hair Accessories / Styling Gel 
Glitter, funky hats, sunglasses...Express yourself! Plus, you can definitely hide tiredness and Sunday hair with a fun outfit.

Hat 
Sun protection and style in one. You can also grab quirky ones on-site. 

Reading Festival: Luke Dyson

🧼 Toiletries & Health Kit 

Wet Wipes
The Holy Grail. Showers are optional. Wipes are not. 

Dry Shampoo / Talcum Powder 
Freshen up greasy roots or use talc for chafing on hot, sweaty days. 

Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Deodorant 
The basics go a long way in keeping you (and your mates) happy. 

Toilet Roll 
Never assume. Always BYO. 

Hand Sanitizer 
For when water isn't available—especially around food or toilets. 

Microfibre Towel 
Quick-drying, compact and lightweight. Perfect for festival life. 

First Aid Kit 
Pack plasters, blister pads, painkillers, antihistamines—be your own field medic. 

Period Products
Even if it's not due, period supplies aren't heavy to carry and you never know—a friend might need something. 

Makeup Remover + Mirror 
If your products don’t have one, pack a compact mirror to save your phone battery. 

Travel Shower Gel, Shampoo & Conditioner 
Travel-size everything to save space and weight. 

Hairbrush 
Especially useful if you’re skipping the showers. 

Ear Plugs + Eye Mask 
Sleep is precious. These will help block out snoring neighbours and 6am drummers. 

Reading Festival: Luke Dyson

🔋 Tech & Tools 

Power Bank 
Don’t rely on charging stations. Keep your devices alive. 

Festival App 
Get the official Reading app for stage times, alerts, maps and surprise sets. 

Portable Speaker
Keep it low volume—don’t be that camp. 

Torch / Fairy Lights / Lantern 
Phone torches are great but have a backup in case it runs out of battery. Add fairy lights for fun vibes and easier tent-spotting! 

Padlock for Tent or Bag 
Deter opportunistic thieves with a simple combo lock. 

Reading Festival: Emily Marcovecchio

🥪 Snacks & Drinks 

Non-Perishable Munchies 
Think cereal bars, crisps, noodles and dried fruit. Fresh fruit like apples and satsumas are great too as long as you protect them from getting bruised. Mix it up too—you may love Pot Noodles now but you can't guarantee you will after having them for breakfast three mornings in a row!

Reusable Water Bottle 
Stay hydrated! There are plenty of refill stations around the campsite and stages.

Cans Only (No Glass!) 
Cocktails, soft drinks, beer or cider. There's a Co-op on site and Big Tesco nearby so don't use up all your energy lugging these on the train.

Cutlery
One spork to rule them all. 

Reading Festival: Luke Dyson

🎉 Extras & Nice-to-Haves 

Disposable Camera 
Capture the memories with a fun and vintage feel.

Small Games 
Cards or travel-size games are perfect for downtime at the tent. Uno, anyone? If you’re someone who enjoys slower-paced moments between the buzz, solo activities like reading or crochet can be a surprisingly great way to unwind.

Packing Cubes 
To keep your stuff organised and compact. 

Trolley or Wagon 
If you’ve got a lot to carry (and/or weak arms), this will be your best decision. 

💡 Final Pro Tips 

• Practice packing light. You’ll be dragging this from the car to your pitch, possibly through mud. 
• Mark your tent with a flag, fairy lights, or tape. Everything looks identical at 2am. 
• Check the banned items list—no BBQs or aerosols over 250ml, for instance. 
• Don’t forget your ID. Obvious, but we’ve seen it happen. 

Reading Festival: Luke Dyson

🎤 Ready to Have Fun? 

With your bags packed and your checklist ticked, you’re all set for Reading Festival 2025. Take your time, stay safe and enjoy the weekend in your own unforgettable way!