Budgeting: How to plan a music festival budget before the tickets sell out

How do you plan a music festival budget?

Price the whole weekend, not just the ticket. The ticket is usually the biggest single cost, but travel, food, drink and camping kit can add almost as much again. Knowing the full figure early means you can save for it and enjoy the weekend without checking your balance every hour, which is part of the fun.

What does a festival weekend cost?

Here's a worked example in round numbers that work in any currency:

Your figures will depend on the festival, how far you travel and how much you eat and drink on site. If you already own camping kit, that line drops. A day ticket costs far less than a weekend. Volunteering at some festivals gives free entry in exchange for shifts, which can save the ticket price entirely if you don't mind working part of the time.

How do you pay for the ticket?

Many festivals offer payment plans, where you pay a deposit and the rest in instalments before the event. These can spread the cost without interest, as long as you pay every instalment on time. Missing one can mean losing the ticket and the money paid, so check the terms and put the dates in your budget.

Ticket sales often open months ahead, so watch for the release date and set a reminder. Buy only from the official seller or authorised resale platforms. Tickets from unofficial sources can be fake or cancelled, and you may have no way to get your money back.

How do you save on travel?

Book early, share lifts with friends, or use the coach or train services some festivals arrange. Car-sharing splits fuel and parking costs, and festival car parks can charge per car. Check the last return options so you're not paying for an expensive taxi at the end. Booking travel as soon as you have the ticket usually gets the best price.

How do you spend less on food and drink?

Bring your own where the festival allows it. On-site food and drink is often expensive, so a few cans, snacks, cereal bars and breakfast supplies can save a lot. Check the festival's rules first, since many limit glass, alcohol or the amount you can bring. A refillable water bottle saves money and is often encouraged.

Set a daily amount for on-site food, like one hot meal a day plus snacks you brought. It's easy to spend far more than planned when you're tired and hungry. Eating a big breakfast at the tent each morning cuts down on snacking later, and a few cheap, filling foods like bread, peanut butter and fruit go a long way.

What camping kit do you need?

The basics: a tent, sleeping bag, mat, torch, and clothes for both rain and sun. Borrow from friends, buy second-hand, or share a tent with friends to split the cost. Check the weather forecast before you pack, so you're not buying ponchos or sun cream on site at festival prices. Avoid buying cheap kit you'll leave behind, which is wasteful and costs more over several festivals. Buying second-hand covers where to look.

How do you keep spending in check on site?

Decide a total for spending money before you go and keep track of it. Many festivals are cashless, using cards or wristbands, which makes spending feel less real. Check your balance each evening. Leave some money aside for the journey home. Lock wristbands or cards with a PIN if the festival allows it, since lost cashless wristbands can be expensive.

How do you save for it?

Start as soon as the festival announces dates. Divide the total by the months until the event. A 520 weekend saved over six months is about 87 a month. If you're on a ticket payment plan, the ticket instalments come out of that amount. How to save for a big purchase has the steps.

How do you track a festival in Wealtie?

Add a savings account for the festival and move money into it each month as a transfer, which isn't counted as spending. During the weekend, log costs in an Entertainment category, so your expense categories show the total. Your net worth tracker shows the fund growing.