Festival season is upon us, and whether you’re going to Coachella, Burning Man, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, or one of the plethora of other weekend-long music events across the US, there’s one key to having a good time: be prepared. From rocking some super cute (and comfortable) vegan leather booties to wearing and sharing all of the eco-friendly glitter, we’ve compiled the 15 must-have essentials for this festival season.
Vegan options at festivals
Festivals aren’t just about the music anymore. In fact, many have become bonafide food festivals—take Coachella, for example. The beloved music festival boasts a robust food scene with multiple vendors, many of which offer delicious vegan food.
Local Los Angeles eateries such as Cena Vegan and Maneatingplant are regulars at the festival. Both are slated to return this year alongside Coachella first-timers Maciel’s Plant-Based Butcher and GoKuku Ramen. For the full line-up of this year’s vegan vendors, check out our guide to plant-based options at Coachella.
Vegan essentials for festival season
Before you head out the door, make sure you check out our list below for festival essentials.
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Brinn Studios
1Brinn Studios Honeypie Bum Bag
Trust us: you’ll regret carrying around that backpack or bulky purse when you’re packed into a crowd of dancing people. Minimal, hands-free bags are the way to go. Brinn Studios’ handcrafted vegan leather Honeypie Bum Bag can be strapped around your waist or used as a cross-body bag to store your essentials for the day. Plus, it’s so chic that it also serves as a fashionable addition to your look.
Glamermaid
2 Glamermaid press-on nails
Make sure you carry your fun festival style over to your nails with these super easy-to-apply, cruelty-free, press-on nails. The nails are ultra-durable and can last for up to three weeks, which is essential for running and dancing the weekend away at a music festival. With hundreds of designs to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find a design to match your festival attire.
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AMAZON
MIA
3 Mia Shoes vegan leather boots
It may be tempting to opt for a strappy pair of sandals or gorgeous heels to complete your festival look, but many of these festivals take place in dusty, hot, and dry places—and open-toed shoes in massive crowds can result in extra dirty feet, not to mention injury. Instead, rock some trendy vegan booties. Your feet will thank you!
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Warp + Weft
4 Warp + Weft sustainable denim
Prancing around in the desert heat will be super comfy, chic, and sustainable in a pair of Warp + Weft’s eco-friendly, cotton denim shorts. Energy consumption, minimal water usage, planet-friendly materials, and inclusive sizing make us huge fans of this eco-chic brand.
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Warp + Weft
Dokotoo
5 Dokotoo shacket
Stay warm as the sun sets while waiting for the headliners to hit the stage in a soft, plush shacket. This version features a timeless waffle knit, so it will pair seamlessly with any outfit.
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Dr. Martens
6 Dr. Martens leather-free boots
If Western-style boots aren’t your thing, reach for these tough-as-nails, but still timeless and chic boots from this iconic shoe company. Once broken in, these boots will be comfy as can be for dancing the day (and night) away.
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Dr. Martens
Touchland
7 Touchland hand sanitizer
It’s no secret that the bathroom situation at large events is less than desirable. And when you’re surrounded by thousands of people, plus eating greasy food throughout the day, you’ll want to keep your hands as clean as possible. We love Touchland’s gentle and hydrating hand sanitizer sprays, which come in a wide variety of pleasant scents, including lavender, vanilla, and rainwater.
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Hurraw!
8 Hurraw! Sun Lip Balm
Even your lips need protection from the sun’s harsh UVA and UVB rays. This mineral-based, protective balm glides on super smooth. Plus, superfood oils keep your pouts moisturized and hydrated for hours on end.
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Teensery
9Teensery vegan leather scrunchies
Keep your hair out of your eyes with these faux leather scrunchies. The black vegan leather scrunchy lends itself to a cut-off jeans and Dr. Martens look, while the neutral beige pairs perfectly with a breezy sundress and cowboy boots look.
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Derma E
10 Derma E Sun Protection Mineral Powder
If your makeup is already applied and set to perfection, nothing is worse than realizing you forgot your SPF. This vegan, cruelty-free, and brush-on sunscreen saves the day and is super travel-friendly. Its also makes reapplying SPF throughout the day incredibly easy.
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Kimchi Chic
11Kimchi Chic Beauty Pearl Gone Wild Highlighter
Get ready to glow on the go! These heart-shaped mini highlighters are the ultimate travel-friendly essential for festival season and summer adventures. Whether you go for the dazzling blue iridescent shimmer or soft pink iridescent glow—each compact delivers high-impact shine in a cruelty-free, vegan formula.
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Yuni
12 Yuni shower sheets
After a day in the desert dust or a crowd of sweaty people, these cruelty-free, portable shower sheets that cleanse and remove funky smells are a lifesaver. Peppermint and cucumber extract cleanse and hydrate the skin while you wipe away all of the grime of the day.
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E.l.f
13 E.l.f Liquid Metallic Eyeshadow
If ever there was a good excuse to play around with different makeup looks, it’s a festival. When you’re in that muddy field having fun with your friends, anything goes. This metallic eyeshadow from vegan cosmetics brand E.l.f will add an extra touch of fun and sparkle. Plus, it’s easy to apply, and it’s long-lasting, too.
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Hemway
14 Biodegradable glitter
Glitter, glitter, and more glitter! Music festival attendees practically leave a trail of the shimmery stuff behind them, but did you know that normal glitter can take up to 500 years to biodegrade and often ends up in the ocean? Well, no worries! Hemway’s eco-friendly glitter is biodegradable and cruelty-free so you can shine on!
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Sun Bum
15 Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Lotion
While we always strive to prevent sunburn as much as we can, sometimes, it still happens. If you find yourself at a festival with sore inflamed skin from too much sun, you’ll be grateful you packed this super soothing, hydrating Cool Down lotion from Sun Bum.
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Sarah McLaughlin (@sarahmclaughlin) is the New Products Editor at VegNews and is always on the search for the newest innovations in plant-based food.
Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the plant-based lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include shopping links where we might earn a small commission, but in no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.
