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Festival season is still going strong in SoCal. Whether you're heading to Santa Monica's first-ever music fest, the millennial-coded Just Like Heaven in Pasadena or Olivia Rodrigo's Daisy Chain Fields in Irvine, some of the best music festival must-haves will keep you cool, calm, hydrated and (hopefully) sunburn-free this summer and beyond.
As an L.A. editor and seasoned concertgoer (true story: I met my husband at Coachella many lifetimes ago), I've covered countless events under the sun that require reliable tech (and the extra batteries to go with them), shade and energy. Unless the photo pit is involved, I prefer a minimalist, backpack-free festival experience: think fanny packs, folding water bottles, and essentials that can be stashed in a pocket or get clipped onto belt loops.
Related: The Best Upcoming Events in L.A., From Music Fests & Foodie Events to Pop-Ups
My picks range from accessories from L.A.-based brands – including designer Clare Vivier and vacation-ready label BTB – and sun care to finds that you can get on Amazon with speedy Prime shipping. (However, I highly encourage you to shop local or directly from brands whenever possible.)
Whether you're headed to a multi-day music festival, an all-day food market or another summer event, shop this editor's product recommendations below.
Jisulife Adjustable Turbo Mini Fan
$52.79 ($65.99), 20% off
From Disneyland to outdoor music festivals, this Jisulife turbo mini fan is an essential that this editor keeps charged and ready to go. It's super powerful at the 30% setting, enough to provide a breeze to me and any lucky folks nearby; at 100%, it could pass for a mini Dyson. (True story: Beyond Yoga's daytime dance party with Soffi Tukker, this ultra-powerful fan impressed my fellow showgoers and even band member Tucker Halpern.) It also doubles as a phone charger; don't forget to pack an extra USB-C cable.
Anker's MagGo portable charger can power an iPhone 17 Pro to 25% in just 19 minutes – a godsend when you've used up juice to take zillions of videos or to track down your friends' locations.
Music festivals can be draining – including on your hydration levels. Liquid I.V.'s best-selling electrolyte mix comes in a ton of flavors (including the new sugar-free Ring Pop and Grillo's Pickles, if that's your thing) and is packed with eight vitamins and nutrients to help keep you from getting dehydrated when you're running from stage to stage under the sun.
Loop Switch 2 Earplugs
$34.30 ($49), 30% off
Protect your hearing (and future concert-enjoying) with Loop's Switch 2 earplugs that let you reduce sound levels by 20 to 26 decibels. They come in a variety of colors and silicone tip sizes to suit your style and ears.
Shark ChillPill Fan & Cooling System
$129.99 ($149.99), 13% off
Shark's ChillPill three-in-1 portable fan also delivers a spa-like festival experience with skin cooling and misting attachments. (Justin Bieber dropped an exclusive orange SKYLRK shade at Coachella earlier this year.)
For those who like to travel light, Dagne Dover's Bennie Stadium Sling is compact and convenient for breezing through security. The clear PVC keeps your essentials dry, too. If you need more storage, the brand also offers mini backpacks and shoulder bags ($65-$85).
Beis The Sport Pack
$43.50 ($58), 25% off
Beis' affordable Sport Pack has all of the pockets, clips and compartments to keep you organized without weighing you down.
Clare V Fanny Pack
$325
You can't go wrong with this chic and compact leather fanny pack by L.A.'s very own Clare V. We're also fans of the designer's effortless baseball caps and scarves for staving off the sun in style.
L.A.-based label BTB's Lola Sisal Visor keeps you safely shaded when the sun's up; we like that this style can be conveniently clipped to your carryall in the evening.
Camp Snap CS-Pro
$99
SoCal-based retro camera brand Camp Snap's CS-Pro lets you capture the moment while staying present (no screens, notifications, or Bluetooth required).
Some festivals don't allow reusable metal or glass water bottles (but they do offer free refill stations), and this is when a collapsible silicone water bottle comes in handy. This one by TakeToday is easy to clip onto your belt or bag and comes in other colors and sizes.
Celebrity makeup artist Nikki DeRoest's Ciele is my go-to makeup brand whenever sun exposure is in the picture. I always aim to use the highest amount of SPF (this one delivers SPF 50+) to maximize protection against sunburns and damage. I like to reapply using Ciele's Filter & Protect SPF 30 powder or a sunscreen spray (like Coola's Clear SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray).
Another sunscreen favorite, EltaMD's UV Stick SPF 50+ is handy if you prefer a solid option to minimize potential leaks and spills.
I like that Shiseido's Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 60+ feels lightweight, works with all skin tones and types, and doesn't leave a white cast. The sweat- and water-resistant formula makes it one of the best sunscreens for music festivals and beach days – don't forget to reapply after 80 minutes! (It comes in a pocket-friendly travel size, but I recommend just squeezing it in a reusable container to reduce plastic usage.)
