What to bring to a wellness festival

The two must-haves

Here's what to bring to a wellness festival, and we'll start with the two things printed on our own event listings: a yoga mat and a water bottle, rain or shine. Forget everything else on this page and you'll still be fine with those two.

Everything after that is about comfort. You'll be outside most of the day at one of ours, bouncing between classes, recovery and the vendor village, and small stuff starts to matter around hour four.

The rest of the bag

After the mat and the bottle, your phone is next, and charge it the night before. Your ticket lives on it, since check-in is a quick Speakeasy scan at the gate, and you'll want it for photos and for finding friends who wandered off to the vendors. A small battery pack is worth it on a long day.

Then the sun. Sunscreen goes on at home, before you're distracted, and the bottle rides along in the bag for a second coat after lunch. Toss in sunglasses and a cap. Outdoor mornings can be chilly before the sun gets going, which is why a thin layer that ties around your waist keeps making our lists.

Pack a small towel too. You'll use it on your face, on a wet bench and under you on the grass. A banana or a bar keeps you going between classes. And bring a card for the vendor village, in case something there catches your eye.

If you have room

A spare shirt and socks feel amazing by mid afternoon on a hot day. If the forecast can't make up its mind, a rain jacket that folds into its own pocket. Wet wipes, always. A tote bag for whatever you pick up along the way.

Leave it at home

The giant backpack stays home, since it'll be on your shoulders for hours. So do valuables you won't need, and so do the sneakers still in their box. Planning to bring anything bulky? Look at your event listing first.

Bringing kids

Most of our events welcome all ages, and any age limit is listed ahead of time. Bringing little ones means doubling up: their own bottle, their own snacks, their own sunscreen and a spare outfit for the inevitable grass stain. A blanket on the lawn gives them somewhere to land while you're in a class.

If you need an adjustment

We work to make our venues accessible. If you need something to take part, like a place to sit between classes or help with a specific class, write to community@strengthinthecity.com before the day and we'll talk through it.

For recovery sessions

If you plan to try recovery, like a cold plunge, bring a towel and a dry change of clothes. Our page on recovery events covers what those sessions are like.

What to wear

Your clothes matter as much as your bag. Breathable workout clothes, broken in training shoes and a layer. Our guide on what to wear to a fitness festival goes through it piece by piece.

On your way out the door

Glance at the listing one more time for the start time and any weather note. Pull your ticket up on your phone. Fill the bottle, roll the mat, and head out a little earlier than you think you need to, since the first 100 people through get a welcome bag.

First time?

If you've never been to one, start with our guide on what a wellness festival is. Then pick a date on the events calendar.

Questions people ask