When packing for a rave, you're prepping for a night where anything can happen. It doesn't matter if it's your first rave or your umpteenth music festival; the right essentials will make or break your experience. If you forget something important, you’ll find yourself fighting for your survival in a crowded pit or scrambling to find your way out of a sticky situation.
At Scummy Bears, we were born in underground ravehouses, and we've survived headbanging festival seasons. We’ve packed our bags for raves many times, and crashed enough porta-potties to know what’s essential and what’s extra. That’s why we created this rave essentials bible for every railriding stomper out there.
Here’s what you actually need to stay cool and prepared for the wild ride ahead.
Must-Haves for Entry & Basics
Before the lights hit and the bass melts your brain, there’s the gate. No matter how hard you're ready to rage, you’re not getting past that entry line without the passcode.
Your Ticket or Wristband
Sounds obvious, but you’d be shocked by the number of ravers who forget the first thing they need to get in. Whatever your 'gate pass' is, a printed ticket, an RFID wristband, or a digital QR code, make sure you pack it securely and you can get to it easily. Don’t bury it at the bottom of your bag. Losing your spot in line because you're digging through baby wipes and glow sticks will prolong your waiting time.
Also, confirm that you actually packed your ticket before leaving. Don't be the raver who "thought they packed their ticket" only to realize at the gate that they got distracted as they were getting their things together and left it on the dining table.
ID
Carry your state-issued ID because you’ll need it to get into most festivals or raves. Even if you’re over 21, many venues require ID checks at entry, and you don’t want to risk getting turned away at the door. Keep it nearby in a fanny pack or wallet.
Insider Tip: Take a photo of your ID on your phone just in case you misplace it during the night. It’s always better to have a backup.
Cash
Some festival vendors don’t accept cards. This is common in smaller, underground, or DIY events. Don’t get stuck without a way to buy food, drinks, or merch. Having cash on hand ensures you won’t have to waste time searching for an ATM in the middle of the night. Keep some loose cash in your fanny pack so you can reach for it easily when you want to buy something.
Portable Charger
Your phone is your map, your camera, and your rave radar. When it dies, so does your sense of direction. Pack a portable charger and confirm that you actually packed it. Bring one that can charge your cell phone fully at least twice. If it's fast-charging, even better. That way, you can stay connected, find your friends, and never miss capturing that awesome moment when the lights hit just right.
What to Wear & Carry
The best rave festivals focus on individuality, expression, rebellion, and comfort in the chaos. What you wear is a reflection of who you are. As Florence + The Machine put it, “My style developed as I started going to these strange raves where everybody had very definitive costumes.” This is accurate for most raves. Your outfit is a part of the story and a way to stand out in the crowd. Here's what you'll need, starting with the basics:
Comfortable Shoes
You’re going to be dancing for long hours, and the floor isn’t forgiving. Ditch the sandals and platform gimmicks, unless you’re a seasoned pro. Instead, rock a pair of cushioned sneakers or rave-beaten high tops. Your feet are your lifeline. Treat them right or regret it halfway through the course of your favorite set.
Festival-Appropriate Clothing
Wear rave outfits that are breathable, creative, and that allow you to move and dance. Here's a quick style breakdown for your next music festival fit, and a few collections that rep the rave life:
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Kawaii Girl Aesthetic: Pastel fishnets, pleated mini skirts, oversized men’s sweatshirts and hoodies, leg warmers, fuzzy bear headbands with ears. Our Oishi collection has rave essentials you’ll need to go kawaii.
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Goth Raver: Mesh everything, black boots, bondage straps, fishnet sleeves, lace-up corsets. Our Goth AF collection is exactly that, goth af!
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Boho Vibes: Crochet tops, fringes, bangles, oversized sunglasses.
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Cybercore: LED visors, dresses and skirts, neon techwear, black tactical pants with metal clips, glitch-printed tops, body suits.
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Alt Merch Drop: Oversized band tees, limited edition artist merch, bootleg tour shirts, hoodies and insane tees from official Scummy Bears' collabs with Sullivan King and Kompany.
Ensure you bring hair ties. When the sweat kicks in and your hair won’t stop slapping you in the face as you stomp, you’ll need them to tie it back. Also, check out our full range of women's festival outfits and men's rave clothing to get your look just right.
Pashmina
A pashmina is the ultimate rave accessory. It’s a dust shield, a cozy wrap for those early-morning come-downs, and a blanket when you need to chill out during a break. Scummy Bears pashminas set a whole new standard. We've designed them with ultra-soft fabric and trippy prints. You get limited edition designs that you'll never see anywhere else. Our rave pashminas are wide and soft enough that you can literally rub your face in them. Grab one and rule the mosh pit in style.
Rave Cloak
If you'll be going hard til sunrise, you have to pack a rave cloak. It’s the perfect cover to keep you warm when the chill hits after a wild night. Rave cloaks also bring that dystopian edge, leveling up your look with a unique, artsy vibe that matches the rave energy. It doesn't matter if you’re just chilling by the stage, a cloak is an important piece for anyone ready to take on the night with style and comfort.
Kaleidoscope Glasses and Refractor Glasses
Your entire experience in the rave scene will be a sensory overload. Kaleidoscope eyewear and refractor glasses ensure you can fully immerse yourself in the chaos. These glasses bend light into psychedelic forms, syncing with strobes and lasers to create a visual symphony that makes every beat drop feel like a personal light show. Diffraction or kaleidoscope glasses bring the rave to life in a way you’ll never forget. Plus, heart-shaped glasses give a fun twist to your fit.
Lightweight Backpack or Fanny Pack
Keep your hands free for dancing, hugging, waving, and throwing them up mid-drop. Get a sick backpack that can carry your hydration pack, snacks, wet wipes, and cell phone, without being bulky or slowing you down.
Be sure to check the official rules of the event you are attending as some venues only allow clear, single-compartment bags!
Baby Wipes or Wet Wipes
Wet wipes will be your best friend after the porta-potty. They're also great for a quick skin refresh after going feral during a bass-heavy set. Keep a sealed pack in your fanny pack for emergency wipe-downs.
Stay Hydrated & Energized
If you’re not hydrated, you’re cooked. Dehydration can sneak up fast during a concert under the sun or in a packed tent. Make sure to pack these festival essentials:
Hydration Pack or Hydration Backpack
This isn’t optional. A hydration pack or hydration backpack is your MVP for every music festival. Most festivals have free water stations. Make use of them and stay hydrated all day and night. Sip between sets and when you're dancing. Sip like your rave depends on it, because it does. On hot days, you don't want to suffer from heat exhaustion.
Insider Tip: Add a few electrolyte tablets to the water and keep your body fueled while partying hard.
Small Snacks
Food lines suck. Your group doesn’t want to lose you while you’re hunting down fries. Pack sealed snacks like protein bars, trail mix, and fruit strips. Carry light, fast, and non-perishable snacks. Choose something you can munch between sets without slowing down the fun.
Comfort & Protection
Festivals and concerts are loud, sweaty, and chaotic, and that’s exactly why we love them. If you want to survive the weekend, you’ve gotta protect your body and your vibe. This is what you'll need:
Ear Plugs
High-decibel sets will wreck your hearing fast. You should have earplugs to filter the sound. Note that quality earplugs don’t block the music; they sharpen it. You’ll catch more of the drop and avoid long-term damage. Sound nerds call it “sound clarity.” We call it an absolute rave essential. Don't forget your earplugs, or your ears will be tingling for weeks.
Personal Fan or Cooling Towel
During festivals, getting stuck in a tent during peak crowd heat is a different kind of hell. A handheld fan or towel will keep you cool and refreshed all night. Clip it to your bag, wave it like a legend, and stay cool while everyone else melts. Get a fan that complements your style, like these foldable rave hand fans with trippy prints and bold designs.
Mini First Aid Kit
Don’t gamble on the first aid tent being close or fast. A compact mini first aid kit with band aids, hand sanitizer, blister patches, and some painkillers is a legit must-have. Ensure you throw in a few allergy meds or antacids because the festival diet can get wild.
Sitting Accessories
When your friends need a breather, sitting on gravel, dusty soil, itchy grass, or mud can be a bummer. Pack an inflatable couch or a festival rave chair and post up like royalty in the middle of the crowd.
For Fun & Festival Vibes
Glow Sticks or Glow Bracelets
Crack a few glow sticks, toss on some glow bracelets, and you become part of the light show. Plus, they make it easier to spot your group in a sea of black hoodies and sweaty bodies.
LED Accessories
Strap on a light-up choker or a reactive LED top and turn yourself into a glowing raver. These are essential items if you’re dancing after dark and want to keep the vibe lit. Literally.
Totems
The taller, weirder, and more chaotic, the better. Totems have become a festival fave. They help your friends find you in the crowd and give strangers something to smile at. You can have memes on sticks or full-on constructions made from PVC and LED strips.
Aromatherapy Inhalers or Vicks VapoInhalers
These are godsends in the middle of a hot, sweaty crowd. They clear your head, cut through sensory overload, and give you a second wind when the air feels thick. Keep one in your fanny pack.
Enamel Pins and Small Fun Toys to Share
Throw some stickers, light-up trinkets, enamel pins, or tiny toys in your bag. They're for fun, and they tie back to the festival spirit of PLUR: Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect. As such, trading and sharing are part of the rave culture.
Don’t Forget the Most Important Thing
You can pack all the festival essentials, fill your fanny pack, and outfit yourself in the loudest look possible, but if you forget this one thing, none of it matters.
Have a good attitude and an open mind.
Festivals last for days through the weekend. Bring the “hell yeah” attitude that turns a group of strangers into friends. Show up with a radiant, nonjudgmental, full-send spirit, and everything else falls into place. Even the moments that go sideways become part of your story. A good vibe is your golden ticket. Don’t leave it behind.
What Not to Bring to a Rave
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Anything Illegal: You don’t want your night ending in a parking lot with flashing lights.
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Glass Bottles or Containers: Most venues and festivals ban glass for safety reasons. It can break, putting other ravers at risk of harm. Stick to plastic or reusable containers.
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Excess Things and Oversized Bags: If it can’t pass security without a debate, leave it. Go small, hands-free, and tight to the body.
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Judgment or Bad Energy: Festivals are built on PLUR, not side-eyes and weird flexes on other groups. Don’t kill the good vibe.
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Expensive Jewelry or Sentimental Items: It’s dark and wild, and it’s easy to lose things. If you’d cry losing it, don’t bring it.
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Weapons or Sharp Objects: Obvious, not just banned, but completely anti-rave culture.
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Too Much Perfume or Cologne: Strong scents can be overwhelming in a packed crowd and trigger someone’s allergies or kill the sensory vibe.
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Large Cameras: Keep it low-key. Most venues will make you check bulky gear, and it’ll just slow you down.
- Dead Batteries: A dead phone, useless LEDs, or a non-functional fan equals avoidable chaos. Charge before you roll out.
Important Advice From an Insider
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PLUR Philosophy: Peace, love, unity, and respect are the DNA of festival culture. Yes, your group is partying, but you’re part of something tribal and communal. Respect each person’s space, energy, and existence. If someone’s not feeling it, that’s not an invite to push. That’s your cue to back off.
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Rave Etiquette: Hydrate before you dehydrate. Don’t take pictures of people without consent, especially in vulnerable or wild fits. Know your limits, respect personal bubbles, and never mess with someone’s high or headspace.
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Rave Fashion & Style Tips: This is riotwear, not runway. If you want to pull influence, go strange and go strong.
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Safety & Well-being: Decide on a group meeting point in case you lose signal. Use buddy systems; no one walks to the car alone. Be aware of what you’re taking, if anything, and listen to your body. Stay hydrated with your hydration pack. Keep hand sanitizer ready before you eat, and use it after the porta-potty.
Recap: Your Rave Essentials Packing Checklist
Take a screenshot, and use this list next time you’re packing for your rave.
- Ticket, wristband, or code
- Cash, ID (take a photo as backup)
- Hydration pack and small snacks
- Portable charger, earplugs (for sound clarity)
- Personal fan or cooling towel, mini first aid kit (band aids, hand sanitizer)
- Baby wipes or wet wipes (for quick freshen-ups)
- Wear comfortable cushioned shoes
- Pashmina and rave cloak (dust shield, style flex, for warmth)
- Glow sticks, kaleidoscope glasses, fanny pack, enamel pins
- Totems (to find your group in the crowd), sitting accessories
- A good attitude and an open mind
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do I Bring to a Rave?
When going to a rave or festival, pack your essentials, which include your ticket, ID, cash, hydration pack, snacks, earplugs, phone, charger, and a seriously good vibe.
How Do I Prepare for an All-Night Rave?
Rest the day before, hydrate early, and eat something real before you go. Also, make sure to pack your rave essentials. Don't forget to mind your limits and pace yourself to last until sunrise.
How Can I Look Good at a Rave?
If you want to look good at a rave, focus on confidence over costume. Choose something that lets you move, sweat, and rage without limits. Wear these women’s bottoms, tops, band tees, body harnesses, and the best rave pashminas. Add unique rave festival accessories, bold hair, and glitchy makeup if that's your vibe.
Should I Bring Condoms to a Rave?
Yes. Festival culture is all about consent, respect, and being prepared. If there’s even a small chance your night could take a turn into hookup territory, pack condoms like you pack everything else, with intention and respect.
What Do Females Wear to a Rave?
Whatever feels awesome, breathable, creative, fun, and free. Females going to concerts love to wear festival tops, mesh, glitter, pasties, harnesses, bodysuits, straps and garters, platform sneakers, wild makeup, and oversized band tees.
What Shouldn't I Bring to a Rave?
Weapons, glass containers (they can break and be a danger), open liquids, judgment, or anything illegal. Check the festival rules. Most music festival organizers post banned item lists online.
Do You Wear Jeans to a Rave?
You can, but most people don’t. Denim gets hot and stiff real fast. Go for stretchy, breathable gear that can handle dancing and sweat, and survive the weekend.
Should I Wear All Black to a Rave?
Absolutely, if that’s your energy. All black is a music festival classic. It's sleek, cool, goth style, with an industrial feel. Just mix textures so it doesn’t get lost in the crowd.
How Do You Wear Your Hair at a Rave?
Up, out of your face, and ready to rage. Try space buns, braids, or ponytails. Just make sure you carry hair ties for when things get sweaty.
Conclusion
Festival season is one of the most exciting times of the year. Packing smart guarantees that you survive the winding course of your first rave. The right gear, mindset, and vibe will make your experience unforgettable.
So, take this list, pack it up, and get ready to live the moment. The rave is waiting, and it's yours to own. Stay prepared, and most importantly, stay true to you, to your group, and to the PLUR code.