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As any seasoned festival-goer will tell you, your choice of accommodation can make or break a whole weekend. A campervan, particularly a bespoke VW campervan conversion, gets you right to the heart of the action while still giving you a quiet, comfortable space to retreat to when the main stage goes quiet.
With expert insights and help from our passionate Club CamperKing community, we’ve pulled together the ultimate guide on campervanning at a festival, including packing tips, insider tricks, and must-have accessories.
Why take your campervan to a festival?
Which festivals can you take your campervan to?
Festival campervanning tips from Club CamperKing members
Discover the Club CamperKing community
Extra festival tips from the CamperKing team
What to pack for a festival in your campervan
Ready to roll into the festival season?
Why take your campervan to a festival?
It’s all about comfort, convenience, and making the most of your weekend. With a campervan, you’ll have a warm, dry bed to retreat to after a long day on your feet. You can store your gear safely, escape the worst of the weather, and wake up to the smell of real coffee brewed in your own kitchen. You won’t have to brave the queue for the nearest burger van. It’s your own space to recharge, reset, and get ready to do it all over again.
Which festivals can you take your campervan to?
Many of the UK’s biggest and best festivals welcome campervans, including:
- Download
- Isle of Wight Festival
- Strawberries & Creem Festival
- Glastonbury
- NASS Festival
- Latitude
- Standon Calling
- Camp Bestival
- Wilderness
- Y Not Festival
- Boardmasters
- Reading and Leeds Festival
Even if your chosen festival doesn’t offer on-site campervan access – such as BST Hyde Park, TRNSMT, or All Points East – nearby campsites make it easy for you to enjoy the perks of a festival-going van life.
Each event has its own rules around campervan access and setup, so always double-check the latest guidance on the official festival website before setting off.
Festival campervanning tips from Club CamperKing members
Who better to ask for campervan festival tips than the people who do it best? We turned to our incredible Club CamperKing community to gather their top tips for making the most of a campervan weekend.
From clever comfort hacks to power-saving ideas and packing dos and don’ts, these are the real-world suggestions that turn a good festival into a great one.
Have your loo primed and ready
“Make sure you have your loo primed & ready to go because festival loos (even on the campsites) are usually awful.”
“If you have a porta potti - take it. There won’t usually be facilities for them, but you can empty them into a portaloo.”
Ensure you’ve got the right tickets
“Bear in mind that you will need to purchase a live-in vehicle pass in addition to your admission ticket for some festivals.”
Make sure your campervan meets the festival’s definition of a campervan
“If you have a CamperKing campervan conversion you have absolutely nothing to worry about but if you are planning on taking a self-build campervan then this could be a whole different story. Reading and Leeds are examples of festivals that have strict terms and conditions relating to campervans, these include campervan must-haves such as a door to the living accommodation, a water storage tank, a fixed means of storage, and at least one side window.”
Take your own shower
“If you want a shower a lot of places get you to prebook slots - don’t leave it till you get there as they’ll most likely all be gone. Alternatively, take your own shower (something like a Hoselock or a USB charged Liberrway one like ours) with a big bucket for the warm water & a toddlers paddling pool or bendy bucket to stand in - plus a toilet type tent for privacy (not one with built in groundsheet!”
Bring plenty of water
“Make sure that you have plenty of water on board at all times, especially if it’s hot. There’s nothing worse than returning weary & thirsty late at night & having no water.”
Use your campervan’s solar panel
“A solar panel on your van will mean that you should be able to run the fridge & lights the whole time you’re there for optimum comfort.”
“If you do a lot of festivals get a solar panel and double leisure battery.”
Sleep downstairs with the roof down
“For extra peace inside the van, sleep downstairs with the roof down.”
Reduce the demand on your leisure batteries
“Freeze a couple of 1l bottles of water and put them in the fridge to help keep the temperature down and reduce the demand on your leisure batteries.”
Take your boots off at the door
“Leave your muddy boots either under the van, or in an IKEA bag in the boot, and pootle around the campsite in flip-flops to avoid getting your van filthy inside.”
Check whether you can take your awning
“You often won’t be allowed an awning, due to space restrictions, so bear that in mind.”
Take levelling ramps/blocks
“Pitches are unlikely to be flat, so take levelling ramps/blocks.”
Discover the Club CamperKing community
Owning a CamperKing campervan is just the beginning. Joining Club CamperKing opens the door to a community of explorers, road trippers, and weekend wanderers who share tips, stories, and inspiration.
As a member, you’ll enjoy:
- Exclusive event invites and meetups
- Discounts on accessories in the CamperKing Shop
- Insider tips on maintenance and vanlife hacks
- Peer-to-peer advice in a supportive space
- A genuine sense of belonging on the road
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your setup or just want to connect with like-minded travellers, Club CamperKing is your go-to. Join today and start a whole new adventure.
Extra festival tips from the CamperKing team
Our Club CamperKing members have shared some top-tier festival tips and now we’ve got a few expert recommendations of our own to help you go the extra mile.
Bring your paperwork
It’s not glamorous, but don’t forget your insurance documents, breakdown cover info, and campervan handbook. If something goes wrong, you’ll want quick access to the essentials.
Pack a couple of spare gas canisters
You don’t want to run out mid-cook. Always bring more than you think you’ll need — just in case.
Invest in blackout blinds or thermal screens
Festival fields don’t come with curtains. For better sleep (and cooler mornings), these are a game-changer.
Add some atmosphere
Battery-powered fairy lights or lanterns are a great way to add a touch of magic and make your van feel cosy after dark.
Download your maps offline
Signal often drops in festival zones. Save your route, campsite info, and festival map beforehand so you’re never caught short.
What to pack for a festival in your campervan
Stay organised, comfortable, and ready for anything the weekend throws your way with this handy checklist of items and accessories, your essential festival packlist:
Sleeping and comfort
- Bedding, pillows and extra blankets
- Blackout blinds or thermal screens for better sleep
- Pop-up privacy tent (for changing or outdoor showering)
- Levelling blocks to keep your van stable on uneven ground
- Folding camp chairs for lounging outside
Kitchen and food prep
- Gas canisters and portable hob (if the latter is needed)
- Cookware, plates and utensils
- Collapsible sink or washing-up bowl
- Cool box or onboard fridge
- Food, snacks and reusable water bottles
Hygiene and toiletries
- Eco-friendly soap and wipes
- Quick-dry towels
- Portable loo or toilet tent
- First aid kit
- Water storage or refillable jugs
Power and tech
- Power banks & USB chargers
- Solar panel and/or double leisure battery
- LED lanterns or battery-powered fairy lights
- Speaker or radio for chilled van sessions
Clothing and gear
- Wellies and flip-flops
- Waterproofs and layered clothing
- Festival tickets and ID
- Offline maps and event guide
- Hobby gear such as paddleboards and bikes
Looking to upgrade your setup for the ultimate festival weekend? Check out our range of camping necessities and campervan accessories in the CamperKing Shop.
Ready to roll into the festival season?
Wherever the music takes you this summer, make sure you’re rolling in comfort, style, and total peace of mind. Whether you’re a seasoned vanlifer or just starting your campervan journey, CamperKing has the perfect setup for festival season and beyond.
Explore our range of bespoke VW campervans if you’re looking to upgrade, chat with our expert team, or visit our Banbury HQ to experience it all in person. From smart storage to solar panels, we’ll help you build a converted VW campervan that’s ready to go wherever the road – or the bassline – leads.
