Ultimate Packing List for Reading Festival 2026

Your packing list for Reading Festival is probably on your mind as the magic date looms closer. Here’s everything you need on your Reading Festival kit list.

What you pack for Reading Festival will totally effect your experience, so you obviously want it to be for the better, especially if it’s your first time. Your kit list for Reading Festival is everything.

The weather forecast for Reading is sometimes pretty toasty, although, being the August bank holiday, it can rain too, so be prepared. You may be tempted to take as little as possible but if your outfit gets caked in mud on the first day its nice to have something fresh to wear the next day, and something clean to come home in too.

There are stalls to buy your Reading Festival camping equipment while you’re there – but you’ll pay a premium for this, of course. Best to pack everything you need for Reading before you go – and here’s your list. 

Reading Festival essentials

Your Reading Festival ticket – no getting in without your ticket, trust me. Put this up at number one on your list of festival essentials. Also, ID. 

Money and bank card – if you feel ok bringing all the money you need for Reading in one go, do that. It’ll save you time and money at the ATM. I prefer to just take £100 and then my bank card too – that way I can watch my budget. 

Tent that’s big enough – as I’ve got older I’ve realised how good it is to have a bigger tent. I’ve totally done my time in the smaller ones, like the above. Now I have a four man with a pod in the middle. It just helps to keep things organised. And means I have somewhere to go to the toilet, to avoid going to the actual festival toilets.