Music festivals and outdoor events are some of the best places to rock a bum bag. They're hands-free for dancing, secure in crowds, and hold just enough essentials without weighing you down. Whether you're heading to Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival, or a local community event, here's how to choose and pack the perfect festival bum bag.
Why Bum Bags Dominate Festival Fashion
There's a reason bum bags have become the unofficial uniform of festival-goers. Large bags are often prohibited or impractical, pockets can be easily picked in dense crowds, and backpacks make dancing awkward. A bum bag sits securely against your body, moves with you, and keeps your hands free for whatever the festival throws your way.
The crossbody wearing style popular at festivals also looks deliberately fashionable rather than merely functional. Your bag becomes part of your outfit rather than an afterthought, and the varied styles available let you express your personal aesthetic.
Choosing the Right Festival Bum Bag
Festival requirements differ from everyday carry. Here's what matters most:
Size Restrictions
Many festivals impose bag size limits for security reasons. Common restrictions limit bags to around 20cm × 15cm × 5cm or similar compact dimensions. Before purchasing a festival-specific bag, check the event's policy to ensure your chosen bag will be admitted.
⚠️ Check Before You Buy
Festival bag policies vary significantly and can change between years. Always verify current restrictions on the event's official website before committing to a bag. Arriving with a prohibited bag means either leaving it behind or missing the event.
Material Considerations
Festival environments are tough on bags. Consider:
- Water resistance: Australian festivals often involve dust, mud, spilled drinks, and sometimes rain. Water-resistant materials protect your belongings from all of these.
- Durability: Dense crowds mean your bag will get bumped, pressed, and scraped. Quality construction withstands the abuse.
- Easy cleaning: After a multi-day festival, your bag will need cleaning. Nylon and synthetic materials wipe clean easily; canvas and leather require more care.
Security Features
Crowds create opportunities for opportunistic theft. Look for:
- Secure closures: Zippers are more secure than magnetic snaps or open pockets.
- Hidden pockets: An interior or back-facing pocket for your phone and wallet adds security.
- Slash-resistant straps: For high-value events, straps that can't be easily cut provide peace of mind.
Style Factor
Festivals are about self-expression. Your bum bag is an accessory, so choose something that fits your festival aesthetic. Holographic materials, bold colours, interesting textures, and unique shapes all have their place at festivals where individuality is celebrated.
The Essential Festival Packing List
Space is limited, so every item must earn its place. Here's what actually needs to make the cut:
Absolutely Essential
- Phone: For photos, finding friends, checking schedules, and emergencies.
- ID: Required for entry and age verification. A driver's licence works; leave your passport at accommodation.
- Payment method: Many festivals are cashless now, but having some cash backup is wise. A slim card holder beats a bulky wallet.
- Festival ticket/wristband: Keep your entry credential safe until you're through the gates.
Health and Comfort
- Sunscreen: A small tube is essential for Australian festivals. Reapply throughout the day.
- Lip balm with SPF: Lips burn too, and staying hydrated dries them out.
- Any required medication: Carry what you need in original packaging.
- Tissues or toilet paper: Festival facilities can run out. A small pack saves the day.
- Hand sanitiser: Small bottle for post-toilet and pre-food hygiene.
- Earplugs: Protect your hearing near speakers. Good festival earplugs reduce volume without killing sound quality.
💡 Packing Tip
Decant products into smaller containers to save space. Travel-size sunscreen, a tiny hand sanitiser, and a mini lip balm free up room for other essentials. Every centimetre counts in a compact festival bag.
Convenient Extras
- Portable phone charger: A slim power bank keeps your phone alive through long days.
- Gum or mints: Fresh breath after festival food.
- Hair ties/bobby pins: Tame hair when dancing gets sweaty.
- Lighter: Useful for various purposes even if you don't smoke.
Leave These Behind
Resist the temptation to pack:
- Full-size anything (sunscreen, water bottles, etc.)
- Valuable jewellery or watches
- Multiple credit cards—one plus backup cash is enough
- Anything you'd be devastated to lose
Security Strategies for Festival Crowds
Festivals attract pickpockets who exploit distracted, crowded conditions. Smart strategies reduce your risk.
Wearing Position
In dense crowds, wear your bum bag at your front where you can see and protect it. The cross-body position works well, with the bag resting against your stomach or chest. If dancing enthusiastically, check periodically that zippers remain closed and contents are secure.
Distribute Your Valuables
Don't keep everything in one place. Consider leaving backup cards and extra cash at your accommodation. Some festivals offer lockers where you can store valuables you don't need on your person.
Stay Aware
Be conscious of anyone pressing against you more than the crowd naturally requires. Pickpockets often work in pairs—one distracts while another accesses your belongings. If something feels wrong, move away and check your bag.
✅ Pro Tip
Position your phone and wallet in the pocket closest to your body, with less critical items in outer or more accessible pockets. This layering means a quick zip-dip reaches tissues and lip balm, not your valuables.
Multi-Day Festival Considerations
Camping festivals present additional challenges. Your bum bag is your daily carry, but you'll return to camp each night.
Daily vs. Camp Gear
Keep your bum bag strictly for what you need during festival hours. Larger items—extra sunscreen, snacks, clothing layers—stay at camp. Streamline your carry each morning based on the day's weather and schedule.
Overnight Security
At night, don't leave valuables in tents where they're vulnerable. Many festivals offer overnight lockers. Alternatively, sleep with your bum bag containing essentials or use it as a pillow to keep it secure.
Cleaning Mid-Festival
Multi-day events accumulate grime. A quick wipe with wet wipes or a damp cloth keeps your bag functional and pleasant to wear. Pack an extra plastic bag to contain anything dirty or wet.
Festival Bum Bag Fashion
At festivals, your bum bag is part of your outfit. Some styling ideas:
Match Your Aesthetic
- Bohemian: Woven, fringe, or embroidered bags complement flowing festival fashion.
- Rave/EDM: Holographic, neon, or LED-lit bags match high-energy electronic events.
- Rock/Indie: Leather, distressed materials, or band merchandise bags fit alternative vibes.
- Minimalist: Sleek black or neutral bags work when you want function without flash.
Coordinate, Don't Match
Your bag doesn't need to match your outfit perfectly—in fact, exact matching can look overly coordinated. Instead, pick up a colour from your clothing or shoes, or choose a complementary contrast.
After the Festival
Post-festival care extends your bag's life for next season.
Empty the bag completely—you'll find forgotten receipts, sand, and mystery crumbs. Turn pockets inside out and shake thoroughly. Wipe down with a damp cloth or, for synthetic materials, hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Allow to air dry completely before storing to prevent mold and odour.
Inspect zippers for accumulated grit and clean with a soft brush. Check straps and buckles for wear—festival conditions are hard on hardware. Address any issues before next season.
Key Takeaway
The perfect festival bum bag balances style with security and packs efficiently without weighing you down. Choose a bag that fits event size restrictions and your personal aesthetic, pack only true essentials, and wear it where you can protect it in crowds. With the right bag and smart strategies, you can dance, explore, and enjoy without worrying about your belongings.
Festival Season Awaits
Whether you're a festival veteran or attending your first event, a well-chosen bum bag makes the experience better. Free hands, secure belongings, and style points—what more could you ask for?
Check out our product comparison to find festival-ready bags, or read our safety guide for more tips on protecting your valuables in crowded environments.