Last Updated on 23 March 2026 by Colette
We all know that booking tickets for a festival in the UK comes with a bit of hoping, praying and crossing your fingers for nice – or at least dry – weather. Over the years we’ve been to festivals where it was so hot it was almost unbearable – trying to stay hydrated and desperately seeking shade in a field is surprisingly hard work and we’ve also been to festivals where it was so wet and muddy that we just ended up packing up on Sunday morning and leaving because we weren’t bothered enough about the line up to stay!
British summer weather is unpredictable and that’s part of festival life – rain doesn’t have to ruin a festival if you plan for it and have the right attitude!
If you’re planning for a potentially wet and muddy festival experience, this guide should help you to stay comfortable, dry-ish and in good spirits so you can still make the most of the weekend!
Accepting the Reality of British Weather
It’s really important to plan for all conditions when it comes to your festival experience – yes we’re all going to hope the sun shines and plan for that, but we also need to plan for the weather to be really bad because, at the end of the day you’ve spent a lot of money on that ticket so you want to be sure you can make the most of it.
I think letting going of “perfect weather” expectations is a really good place to start – the most I hope for with festivals is that it stays dry and not too cold – but honestly, if you go in prepared and ready for it to be wet and muddy you’ll find life much easier. Your mindset will affect the whole weekend so if you’re fed up and miserable about the weather, you’re just going to spoil it for yourself whereas if you can manage an “it is what it is” attitude, you’ll still make some awesome memories!
What to Pack for All Weather Scenarios
Wet Weather Essentials
- If you know it’s just going to be tipping down then proper waterproof jackets are key rather than cheap ponchos – that being said, I do have a brilliant waterproof poncho that I always have in my backpack for a festival and I love it because it’s easy to throw on, is nice and long and keeps my bag dry but if I was settling in for a full on soaking wet day, I’d be wearing my Sweaty Betty coat with proper cuffs etc!
- Wear wellies or waterproof boots – I would never go to a festival wearing anything other than my walking boots because even if the weather is gorgeous, you might find a muddy over-walked patch, and frankly, you never know what the area around the toilets or water fountains might be like!
- I really like to have a cap to wear if I know it’s likely to be wet – the peak just gives your face that bit of protection from the rain so you can still see what’s going on on stage!
- Be sure to pack plenty of spare socks in sealed bags – just being able to put warm dry socks on will perk you up!
- Microfibre towels – these take up much less space in your bag, don’t get really heavy and will dry quickly.
Warm Layers for Cooler Evenings
No matter what the weather, it always catches me out how much colder the evenings are once the sun has gone in – this is all the more key for those festivals later in the summer. Layers are key.
- Hoodies or fleeces
- Hats and gloves even in summer (honestly a woolly hat can make a huge difference to how warm you are of an evening)
- Thermal layers for kids
- A spare jumper and hat for in bed
Sunshine Basics
Of course these are the ones we want to need . . .
- Sun cream – keep it SPF50. Sprays are great for top ups in the arena – you might be asked to open the bottle or spray it to prove you’re not hiding vodka in there . . . I speak from experience.
- Hats – a cap or sun hat to keep the sun out of your eyes / off your head is definely worth the space in your bag
- Sunglasses – to be fair you might want these whether the sun is shining or not as they can hide a multitude of sins the next morning . . . but yes, nothing worse than not being able to see what’s going on on the stage because you forgot your shades! (I usually have a couple of more bonkers pairs of shades for festivals)
- Refillable water bottles – most festivals allow refillable water bottles onsite now but do check indiviudal rules, espeically as to wether they have to be empty on your way in.
What to Wear at a Festival in the UK
This is a whole article in itself, which you will find here: What to wear to a festival however here are some key points to consider:
- Practical over fashionable – look I know this is boring but honestly, those tiny shorts and that little vest top might look gorgeous but you’ll soon be cold and regretting your choices!
- Sequins look fabulous at a festival but be warned, they can be really hot and it’s worth making sure they are comfortable too (Chloe has a gorgeous sequin bandeau top but she finds it rubs her arms)
- Choose clothes that dry quickly – Dave and Ben like to wear shorts on the basis that their legs will dry faster than jeans, I’m almost always wearing leggings – I don’t like anything that might flap about, nobody wants a soggy dress or trousers slapping around their legs.
- Take care with your footwear choices – make sure they are comfortable and supportive, you’re going to be stood / walking / dancing all day long. Personally I prefer to just wear my walking boots as I know they’ll keep my feet warm and dry. Flip flips or anything open-toed is asking for trouble as wet or dry, the ground will end up filthy.
- Plan your outfits in layers – what can you take off / add on to stay warm / dry or to cool down? I love a denim shirt over a t shirt with a jumper for later on.
Keeping the Tent Dry and Liveable
- Keeping the tent dry and liveable is going to be key to keeping you warm, dry and comfortable over the course of the weekend.
- Although most tents come with a built in ground sheet these days, I would recommend a second, separate ground sheet for added protection.
- Make sure your tent is fully water-proofed ahead of time – and make sure you’ve got a repair kit because the last thing you need is a rip or tear that would let water in.
- Plan for where you’re going to put muddy shoes – we have a porch area for our tent so all shoes stay out of the main tent area. We use a plastic tray to store them on to prevent spreading mud and dirt around and to keep them off the ground if any puddles form. Do not wear your shoes inside your tent!
- Pack everything in plastic bags – I recommend packing outfits in individual bags for extra protection and to make them easier to find – pack your dirty, wet clothes back into plastic bags too to keep them away from everything else. Plastic boxes and tubs are more cumbersome to carry but will help to keep your food etc dry.
- Make sure to air your tent as much as you can when it’s not raining!
Managing Mud Without Losing Your Mind
- Accepting mud as part of the experience will get you a long way
- Creating a “mud system” outside the tent – get those shoes off, strip off your wet and dirty clothes – be really precious about keeping the inside of your tent clean and dry!
- Wet wipes, wet wipes, wet wipes – yes I know they’re not ideal but sometimes needs must. I recommend Fresh Wipes for a biodegradeable option designed specifically for cleaning bodies when a shower isn’t possible.
- Changing into dry clothes early evening gives you a bit of a reset for the night ahead!
- Make the most of showers if they are available – a quick shower before bed will really help (this is also the case at a really hot, dry festival where the ground has become super dusty!)
Feeding Everyone When the Weather Is Miserable
- Hot food boosts morale – a steaming hot portion of chips or some pasta in your tummy will make all the difference when you’re feeling a bit fed up!
- Easy warm snacks – consider what easy warm meals and snacks you can make back at the tent.
- Hot drinks and flasks – plan for hot drinks in flasks at bedtime (or even during the day if you’re allowed to take them into the festival)
- Don’t skip meals because of rain – keep yourself warm and fueled!
Keeping Spirits High When It’s Wet
- Shorten plans and take breaks – whether that means missing a couple of the bands you wanted to see, heading back to the tent earlier than planned or plain old packing up a day early and going home – do what you can but also know it’s ok to choose not to as well! A couple of years ago we chose to stay off site for Y Not Festival at the last minute because the forecast was bad and honestly it made such a difference to our experience.
- Let kids and teens choose what’s next – they might have less tolerance for the weather than you do – or they might surprise you by just not being bothered by it!
- Lean into cosy moments – lazing in bed in your sleeping bag and listening to the rain on a morning can feel super cosy, try not to focus on the fact you’re going to go out in that later, it might brighten up by then!
- Celebrate small wins – getting a hot shower, a dry hour or two in the middle of the day, rainbows – find those small wins and enjoy them!
Night-Time and Bedtime in Bad Weather
- Dry pyjamas are non-negotiable – make sure these are packed separately, again in plastic bags to keep them dry. Make sure everyone is properly dry before they get into their PJs – towels, kitchen roll, whatever it takes! You don’t want to get into your sleeping bag damp.
- Wrap up warm – it can be hard to get to sleep if you’re cold so thick socks, a jumper, a cosy hat can all be helpful for keeping warm at night (also making sure you’ve invested in a really good sleeping bag in the first place will make all the difference!)
- Head torches and lighting – bad weather or not, the nights are dark at a festival and having decent lighting both within your tent and for moving around the site makes a big difference to how easy you’ll find things. Decent lighting will help little ones to feel safer if the weather is bad too.
- Remember that the wather always sounds worse in a tent – the rain will sound so much heavier coming down on your thin tent roof so earplugs are super helpful (I’ve said it before but I would never camp at a fesival wihtout ear plugs regardless of the weather!)
- Early nights are sometimes the best option – cold, wet, dark nights are just no fun and sometimes it’s better to just cut your losses and just cosy up in the tent with a hot drink!
What Not to Do
- Don’t overpack for every scenario – the more you pack, the more you’re going to have to carry. Keep a close eye on the weather forecast and plan accordingly – but obviously don’t trust it with your whole heart, just because there is no rain forecast, doesn’t mean it won’t rain!
- Don’t panic-buy on site – whatever you buy on site, you’re going to pay through the nose for!
- Don’t force plans when everyone is cold and tired – nobody is going to make good memories that way!
When the Weather Improves
- Make the most of any chances you get to dry things out – air the tent, hang wet clothes out on guy ropes etc
- Making the most of improved conditions – when the weather is better, get out there and make the most of it, this is not the time to sit in your tent!
At the end of the day, the weather is only one part of your festival experience – yes it can have a huge impact on how much hard work the weekend is and your mood but you’re there for the music, for the memories and the moments so make sure to focus on those.
Preparation and flexibility matter more than forecasts – it’s easy to become obsessed with the weather forecast ahead of a festival but what will be will be. Just make sure you’ve got the right shoes and clothes to cope with it – and pack everything in plastic bags!
And remember, some of the best festival memories happen in the rain.
You can find more festival tips and reviews in our guide to festivals!
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