Bonnaroo is a world-renowned four-day music festival that happens every June on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee. It’s four days filled with music of all types, including everything from indie rock, classic rock, and world music to hip hop, jazz, Americana, and bluegrass. Be prepared for this year’s festival by checking out this go-to packing list.
Table of Contents
23 Top Bonnaroo Packing List Items for 2024 + What NOT to Bring
What to Pack for Bonnaroo – 23 Essentials
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1. Packing Cubes
Packing cubes will make it a breeze to pack for your trip and once you arrive you will know exactly where you stashed away all of your items. Spend more time enjoying the festival, less time searching for your belongings.
![Packing Cubes]()
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2. Tent
You are going to need somewhere to sleep during Bonnaroo. Most festival-goers use tents, which are ideal, although hammocks could work too. This tent is inexpensive, can fit up to two people, and has a wide entrance for easy entry and exit.
![Tent]()
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3. Neck Wallet
This is a no-brainer. Make sure to bring a travel wallet with all the important stuff, including your ID, money, festival ticket, credit and debit cards, etc. This one is perfect for slipping in your back pocket or side satchel during the festival.
![neck wallet]()
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4. Camelbak Water Supply
Make sure to bring lots of drinking water. It’s extremely easy to accidentally get dehydrated during the hot festival days. A good rule of thumb is one gallon per day per person. Stock up before you go and use this Camelbak hydration backpack to keep the replenishment super closeby. It’s wearable and lightweight so you’re not carrying heavy bottles of water all day.
![Camelbak Water Supply]()
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5. Quick-Dry Travel Towel
A travel towel is one of the most important items in your travel artillery. It’s very multi-purposeful – we use it as a sweat rag, seat cover, beach towel, packing cushion, and more. You’ll be surprised how often you need a towel and this one is way more practical than a big, fluffy one from home.
![Quick-Dry Travel Towel]()
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6. Lipstick-sized Portable Charger
Exploring a new place means you will need well-charged devices. This portable charger will power up your devices on-the-go instead of having to return to your accommodations to plug them in. For GPS and call emergencies like needing a ride, I find this item to be essential.
![Lipstick-sized Portable Charger]()
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7. Sunscreen
Those Tennessee afternoons really heat up in June. Usually, any music festival requires loads of time out in the hot sun. This is definitely true for Bonnaroo. Bring some sunscreen with a good amount of SPF, and apply it every couple of hours while you’re outside. Don’t let a gnarly sunburn ruin your festival experience!
![Sunscreen]()
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8. Waterproof Pocket Blanket
You will need to lay something on the ground at your campground to chill on outside. This waterproof pocket blanket is super durable and camper-approved. It comes with the stakes included so it can withstand some wind and be easily shaken off when you want to roll it back up in its compact case.
![Waterproof Pocket Blanket]()
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9. Air Mattress
An air mattress will make your sleep at the festival infinitely more comfortable. Imagine sleeping on the hard ground as opposed to sleeping on a comfy mattress! Make sure you bring the air pump with you, and buy an air mattress that comes with a pump that can use your car as a power source!
![Air Mattress]()
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10. Waterproof Phone Pouch
If you’re hanging out by the pool, at Duck River, or Normandy Lake – use this waterproof phone case to protect your lifeline. It will help your device endure moisture, sand, and lens scratches. You can even film underwater videos (with sound!).
![Waterproof Phone Pouch]()
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11. Biodegradable Toilet Paper
Bonnaroo Festival veterans will tell you: absolutely bring toilet paper. The porta-potties inevitably run out of toilet paper really quickly. Compostable or biodegradable is best.
![Biodegradable Toilet Paper]()
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12. Camping Chairs
When you’re not out roaming the festival grounds and listening to cool bands, you’ll most likely be with your friends at your group campsite. Before you leave for the festival, make sure to pack some folding chairs to relax in day-to-day. These are ultralight and foldable.
![Camping Chairs]()
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13. Mosquito-Repellent Wristbands
Lots of bugs are regulars at summer music festivals like Bonnaroo. Load up on high-grade bug repellent like these wearable wristbands that are non-toxic. Nothing will ruin your time like itchy bug bites!
![mosquito repellent wristbands]()
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14. Windproof Umbrella
Unpredictable rain is inevitable – use this travel umbrella to cover you and a partner through any surprise showers. This umbrella weighs exactly 1 pound so you won’t be weighed down, and it easily covers 2 people in inclement weather.
![Windproof Umbrella]()
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15. Headlamp
Headlamps will help you find your way in the dark and have the advantage of keeping you hands-free. You can also keep lanterns at your campsite, but headlamps are more practical for when you have to find a bathroom or venture away from the campsite at night.
![Headlamp]()
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16. Solar Shower
You might want to shower at some point during your time at Bonnaroo. A solar shower will come in very handy and feel great after spending the day in the hot sun. This one packs down small and is easy to use. Make sure to read the instructions and do a test run at home before you go. It’s a real treat! But you’ll want to let it warm up enough first and clean it out before using.
![Solar Shower]()
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17. Cooling Towel
Spare yourself from becoming hot and sweaty in the humid southern weather, especially during long days of standing in lines or walking miles around the property. These magical little towels become 20-30 degrees colder than the outside temperature. You just wrap it around your neck, and you will feel instant relief. They are 100% non-toxic and chemical-free, real lifesavers on a scorching afternoon!
![Cooling Towel]()
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18. Electrolytes
To fight dehydration, use these electrolytes to supercharge your water. This brand tastes better than most and has lots of vitamins and minerals to help your hydration levels balance out more quickly.
![electrolytes]()
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19. Hanging Toiletries Bag
Any camper and traveler should listen up – a hanging toiletry bag is one of my favorite packing discoveries I’ve ever found! This baby hangs on any hook, pole, or tree branch, unfolding to give you a built-in shelf system for all of your toiletries. Since Bonnaroo attendees typically camp, you won’t have a private bathroom with countertop space or shelves to work with. This bag is a serious game-changer and I can’t recommend it enough.
![Hanging Toiletries Bag]()
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20. Large Cooler
Definitely bring a large cooler to keep all your food and beverages nice and cold. Pack it with water bottles, easy snacks like fruit, and maybe a bottle of aloe vera in case you get sunburned. This one is made by a very reliable outdoor company that designs products to last.
![Large Cooler]()
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21. Luggage & Tent Locks
It may sound odd, but we’ve actually had someone try to open our tent in the middle of the night and peek in. I’m not sure if they were just being creepy, or trying to steal from us, but now we always lock our tents from the inside. You should also lock your suitcases when you’re away from the campsite during the day listening to music. These locks are TSA-approved so they’ll also work for any checked bags or international travel.
![Luggage & Tent Locks]()
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22. Bandana
A bandana is a festival must-have. Bandanas serve double or triple duty by moonlighting as headbands, face masks, camp flags, and more. This one comes in many different colors, so you and your friends can all match.
![Bandana]()
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23. Female Urination Device
Ladies, hear me out… Yes, being able to pee while standing up is typically a man’s prerogative – but all of the squatting over porta-potties at a festival can get really tiring for ladies. Use this female urination device to easily pee while standing up. It has a hygienic carrying case so you can keep it separate from your other things, but you never know when nature will call! Or how awful the bathroom situation will be, prepare wisely.
![Female Urination Device]()
Other Packing List Items for Bonnaroo
- Travel insurance
- Discounted tours
- Universal adapter
- Filtered water bottle
- Earplugs
- “Just in case” bag
- First-aid kit
- Hangover relief
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Corn hole
- Christmas lights
- Board games
- GoPro
- Portable speaker
- Flotation strap
- Hat
- Rubber boots
- Fanny pack
- External battery
- Sleeping bag
- Deodorant
- Biodegradable soap
- Sewing kit
- Skull flag
- Clothesline
- Yoga mat
What to wear at Bonnaroo
Less is more at Bonnaroo. As always, be prepared by dressing in layers. Bring a light jacket for nighttime. During the day, casual festival clothes like jean shorts and tee shirts are a good fit. For the car or plane trip there, wear comfortable clothes that you can re-wear throughout the weekend so that you don’t overpack.
What NOT to Bring at Bonnaroo
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1. Weapons
The festival is a time for peace and love (Bonnaroo was heavily influenced by Woodstock and other “peace and love” gatherings of the 1960s and 1970s, after all)!
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2.Generator
Don’t bring a generator. If you need energy at your campsite, bring portable chargers or battery-powered devices only.
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3.Drone
No drones allowed! They are dangerous and annoying to other concert-goers. Bring your selfie-stick instead if you want to get high-up pictures.
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4.Valuables
Don’t bring any valuables! If you absolutely must, keep them locked and out of view in your vehicle.
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5.Glass
Bring any alcohol in cans instead of glass bottles.
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6.Fireworks or flares
Save the fire for Burning Man! No need to risk a forest fire.
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7.Animals or Pets
Leave your furry friends at home.
FAQs about packing for Bonnaroo
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1. If I forgot something crucial would I be able to buy it?
It totally depends on what it is that you forgot, but usually, there will be a “general store” tent that has “groceries” and essentials like sunscreen, glow sticks, pens, notepads, tampons, and other things. Prices are very high for most things, so try to prepare ahead of time and pack everything you’ll need.
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2. How much money should I bring with me?
You should plan on bringing around $100-300 in cash. Bring closer to $300 if you want to purchase any souvenirs.
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3. How do I stay cool in my tent?
Bring some ice packs and keep them in your cooler. When you’re getting ready for bed, cool down by setting one on your forehead. You can also bring portable fans to use in your tent.
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4. What are you supposed to do with your trash?
The Festival staff will give you a trash bag when you go in, and they collect it later. Last year they gave festival-goers a raffle ticket for every bag of trash they turn in. If you can, try and spend a little time picking up trash and help keep Bonnaroo clean!
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5. How can I meet other festival-goers?
Pods are the “community centers” of Bonnaroo. Pods are placed throughout the Bonnaroo campground and include community services such as information booths, medical stations, showers (sometimes), and drinking water. Pods are your space to meet and get to know your camping neighbors! Think of your Pod as your Bonnaroo community center.
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6. Will There Be ATMs Available?
Yes. If you need cash, ATMs can be found throughout Centeroo, at the General Stores, and most Pods
About the Author
Asher Fergusson
Asher has been traveling the world since he left Australia to study in the USA in 2004. He received a Master’s in Business Administration degree in 2013. He has lived all over the globe including India, Europe, Hawaii, and mainland US. He enjoys researching the travel industry, loves being a dad, cooking & eating delicious food, photography (took many of our photos), surfing big waves on Maui, camping trips and walking barefoot on the earth.
Read more articles from Asher ➜
