Before you head out to a concert to see your favorite band, make sure you pack with help from our Outdoor Concert Essentials list to make sure you have everything you need.
For more help packing, check out all of our packing lists.
We’re lucky to live in an area with a ton of free outdoor concerts all summer long because that’s one of our favorite things to do this time of year.
Sometimes we go to bars that have an outdoor stage set up and other times we go to large, outdoor concert venues.
There are a few things that we pack to make sure we don’t get burnt, that we do stay hydrated, and so we have the best time.
We want to make sure that you have a great time your next outdoor concert, so we put together this packing list so you remember to bring everything you need.
Of course, each venue has its own set of rules, so use this outdoor concert packing list as a guide, but be sure to check with the venue to see if it prohibits anything.
If you haven’t bought that ticket yet, and it’s because of sticker shock, you might be able to save by using StubHub.
Click that link to read our post with all the ins and outs of using the ticket reseller site.
Outdoor Concert Packing List
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This list is in no particular order and may not contain every item that you need for your best outdoor concert experience. We tried to make it all inclusive, but again, just use it as a guide.
Collapsible chair
If you purchase lawn tickets (aka the cheap seats) you don’t actually get a seat. You don’t even get a space. All you get is the opportunity to sit on the lawn if you can find a spot.
Our local venue allows lawn ticket holders to bring in a chair. It also rents them, but it’s cheaper if you bring your own, obviously.
The chairs have to be no higher than 9-inches high, which means that captain’s chairs are out and Tommy Bahama beach chairs are in. It also means that the Playamigo chair, which you may have seen on our social media pages lately because we took it to see Weird Al (and which you can also see a few photos down below), is also in.
We prefer bringing backpack chairs with us because that means our hands are free to carry our phones, which we need to scan our concert tickets.
A resealable water bottle
You definitely want to stay hydrated when you’re watching a concert outside.
The venue probably sells a variety of drinks, however, they’re probably very expensive. Sure, you can go right ahead and buy a $7 can of water, but if the venue allows you to bring in a bottle that you can refill, bring that. It’s way cheaper.
Personally, I bring a plastic bottle with me. I know it’s not the most sustainable option, however, it is the best option if it gets ruined or left behind.
One of our local venues has something called a hydration station where they have tap lines that distribute filtered water where you can refill your bottles. Other venues have water fountains.
Regardless of how you hydrate, make sure you hydrate. The last thing you want is heat stroke.
A portable fan
When we went to a baseball game recently, my brother brought a fan for his son. Then, the next weekend, when we went to an outdoor concert, the man sitting next to us had brought the fan that he hooks to his baby’s crib at night.
That night, the poor baby had to sleep in the heat. Good luck to her next time her dad‘s favorite artist is in town.
If you have a small portable fan, which it seems like you would, if you were a father (or at the very least your children would have) bring that with you. When it’s hot, any breeze is better than no breeze.
Sunscreen
If you’re at an outdoor concert, there’s a good chance you’re sitting somewhere without shade, which means the hot sun is blazing down on you.
I don’t care if you have a “base tan,“ use sunscreen.
Even if it’s cloudy. Use sunscreen.
If you graduated high school in the late 90s, you have sunscreen burned into your brain because of that hypothetical commencement speech-turned-Baz Luhrmann song.
But, if you’re younger, let me drill it into your brain. Use sunscreen when you’re outdoors, especially if you’re going to be out first for quite a while singing along with your favorite band.
You want to take home good memories and a sore throat, not sunburn.
Bug spray
You know that famous quote: Those who can’t do, teach? That’s me right now.
I am typing this while I’m outside with bugs flying all around me because I forgot to apply bug spray before I walked out.
The bug are super annoying and distracting. And I’m only working. Imagine how annoying they would be if they were distracting from you watching your favorite artist.
So bring bug spray.
Yes, you could spray it on yourself at home before you leave, but there is a very good chance the friends you are meeting up have not thought of this. So, if you bring some, you will be the hero of the concert.
Sunglasses
Depending on what time you leave for the concert, it may be sunny. So wear sunglasses. That’s an easy one.
If you brought one of the chairs we suggested above, it will have a pocket where you can put your sunglasses after the sun sets.
But, while it’s up, you’ll be able to see the stage better and enjoy the show with some shades on.
Cooling towel
I know, I know. Women don’t sweat, they sparkle. But, at an outdoor concert during the summer, you might do both.
So, you may want to bring a cooling towel with you.
I actually saw a hack recently, but I haven’t tried it, that suggests you pack a cooling towel in a Ziploc bag of ice. When you’re hot, take the towel out and use it. It’ll be so much cooler that way.
You can return the towel to the bag, if there’s still ice and if you’re cooled down, and repeat this all concert long.
It makes sense. When I was young and would go to Warped Tour, my friends and I would wear sweatbands and soak them in cold water in the bathrooms all day long.
A hat
If you really want to make sure that the sun stays off your face, wear a hat.
A baseball hat works great (and is probably the most common hat).
But, when we were at a concert recently, we saw a family wearing cowboy hats with rechargeable lights in them. The hat had an on/off switch and when the sun went down, the lights went on.
These hats looked amazing at night. I told Pete I’m definitely buying them for the July 4th fireworks next year.
They’re so fun at a concert — and help your face stay sun-free too.
More Packing Lists:
If you need more help packing, you’re in luck. We have The Ultimate List Of Packing Lists. It’s filled with lists for day trips (like the beach, Disney, etc.), carry on bags, long trips (like Las Vegas), and more.
What else would you suggest to pack for an outdoor concert? Let us know in the comments.