Going To A Music Festival Alone: 8 Ways To Make It An Awesome Experience

Just because you can’t get any of your friends to go to a music festival doesn’t mean you should miss out. If you have a festival, or any other event, that you really want to go to, you should absolutely do it. Get ready to embrace the world around you like never before: you are about to embark on a unique, liberating adventure.

These are my takeaways for creating the best experience for yourself when going to a music festival alone.

1. A positive mind means awesome times.

One of the most important things is your mentality and attitude for the festival. You have to make it very clear for yourself that you’re doing this because you genuinely want to – not because of FOMO or any other variation that makes you think it’s what you’re “supposed” to do. This will be what will set the tone for your overall experience. By going into a music festival happy enough to actually be there, then the rest will come easily to you. No matter what you’re doing, you’re doing it because it’s what you want to do.

2. Leave your expectations at the door.

If you go into the festival expecting to have have all sorts of wild and crazy adventures, you’re setting yourself up to have a bad time if nothing goes the way you expect. Be happy with where you are and the fact that you took the courage to actually do it. There’s great music and people are nice; good things will come to you if you let them. Don’t rush it.

3. You do you.

Arguably the best part of going to a music festival alone is that you are on your own schedule. You have the freedom to do whatever you want and for however long you want. Got a favorite band that you want to see for the whole two hours? Do it! In more of a “try a little bit of everything” mood? Do that too! The world is yours, go forth and conquer the dance floor.

4. Trust the vibes, share the energy.

Positive energy goes a very, very long way. Embrace where you are and what you’re doing. Let your good vibes flourish and shine! Have a good attitude, be excited, give everyone a smile; others will be naturally drawn to you. If you’re having a blast, odds are that others will want to have a blast with you.

5. “Hello” is your best friend.

Be confident. Sometimes you might find yourself as a magnet, effortlessly making friends left and right. Other times, it’ll take more effort. The more you’re willing to put yourself out there, the more experiences you’ll allow yourself to attract. Even if you don’t consider yourself as particularly outgoing, pretend you are. Take a deep breath and just say hello to a stranger. Make a comment on their dance moves, outfit, or even just tell them that you think they give off great vibes and you wanted to say hi. Don’t think about it and just do it. You’ll be wonderfully surprised at how open strangers are when you engage them. After all, strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet.

6. Be okay with being alone.

As fun and liberating as being alone at a musical festival is, the plain truth is you are alone. You might find yourself experiencing moments of loneliness, especially when wandering and all you see are groups of friends together. It’s at these moments that you need to remind yourself that you’re doing this because it’s what you genuinely want to do. Maybe it’s not your ideal situation, but you’re doing it (and seriously, go you). So just take a take a moment, breathe, reflect, let the sounds of your environment clear your mind, and keep going. Adventure is calling.

7. Patience is key.

You need to give time for your festival experience to manifest itself. Take advantage of your first hour or two of the festival to get situated with your surroundings – scope out the stages, find out where the water stations are located, hit up the activations before lines get too long. Things will start happening naturally, don’t rush it. Stress is no way to kick off any experience.

8. Have a gift. 

One of the best things you can do for yourself is to bring something that you can share or use to help make other’s experience better. Your “gift” can come in infinite forms, be it a musical instrument, a flow toy, a fun outfit or costume, face paint, glitter, bubbles, etc. Get as creative as you’d like, the possibilities are endless! These will be instant conversations starters, you’ll be amazed how drawn people will be by your “toys.” Not to mention, it’s an amazing way to entertain yourself in the moments when you’re on your own.