Has festival season done some damage to your wallet? If you are an avid festival-goer perhaps you have already attended a few festivals this season or have ones planned, such as EDC Las Vegas next month. There are so many costs to consider when attending any festival. Besides the ticket you still need to pay for transportation, lodging, food and more. But if you have a plan you can attend EDC Las Vegas and pretty much any festival on a budget. Here are a few tips on how to fully experience EDC Las Vegas without putting a huge dent in your wallet.
Shop Smart
I love shopping online at Amazon for my supplies and music festival essentials since they have a large selection of almost everything you need. I always make a packing list of things to bring whenever I am going to a festival and order my items ahead of time in order to be prepared. Some of things on my list include a fanny pack, earplugs, and a portable charger. Bringing everything you need from home will save you money from buying those same items again just for the weekend. If you haven’t invested in a hydration pack, do it now! Mine has saved me a ton of money. I never purchase the pricey $4-$6 water bottles anymore. Check out Vibedration hydration packs, they have tons of styles to choose from. Use discount code “marxoxo” at checkout and save even more!
Lodging
When it comes to lodging, there are many options to consider. Whether you are considering staying at a hotel, Airbnb, or camping, it is important to begin the process as early as possible. When looking for hotels there are all kinds of discounted hotel search websites like Kayak.com, you will be able to book rooms at a discounted rate on websites like these than going straight to the hotel official website! Also, look at different companies that you buy from to see if they have any hotel discounts. For example, as a AAA member, you can take advantage of discounts they have available for hotels. Another option is to book an AirBnB. Get a house with a bunch of friends and split the cost for affordable lodging. Lastly, you can camp at the festival. I find this the most convenient, especially if I’m flying in and can be a lot cheaper than doing a hotel and AirBnB! Camping is so much fun too, and you don’t have to worry about leaving the festival and driving back to your hotel or AirBnB. Everyone has different preferences with lodging, know what’s best for you.
Festival Outfits
Create your festival look for less by avoiding shopping for brand new clothes. Buying a new outfit adds up quick, especially if you are going all three nights and you need a different outfit for each night! You can spice up an old outfit you have lying around by adding accessories to it or playing mix-match with other clothes in your closet and it will look like a new outfit. If you are feeling creative, try DIY outfits. Head over to a craft store and get creative with materials you find. Also try checking out your local Goodwill or Vintage Stores. Sometimes you can find unique pieces and get a festival chic look for a lot less! You can also try borrowing from friends. Have you been eyeing your friends sparkly shorts? Perhaps you can swap items from each others closet and you both can save money on outfits. Just because you wear something once doesn’t mean it can’t be worn again so try mixing and matching!
Food & Drink
Eating out and drinking can expensive so what I recommend is packing snacks and buying fresh food and drinks from the grocery store for the whole weekend. Going out on the strip before EDC or after can really add up if you are doing that for all three nights. If you are staying with a large group of friends shop at Costco or buy in bulk so you get more bang for your buck and you’ll also have plenty of leftovers. Also, eat something before you leave your hotel/AirBnB/campsite in order to avoid eating at the food stands at the festival. Although they have tons of selections of delicious food all throughout the grounds, the pricing on the food is not very budget friendly.
You can also save money by not drinking at the festival. There is nothing wrong with staying sober at a festival, if you haven’t done so yet I totally recommend it. Not only will you be saving money but you will enjoy the festival in a different yet satisfying way. On average beer at EDC costs around $12 per beer at the bars and more for cocktails and mixed drinks. Also, don’t forget to bring an empty water bottle or your hydration pack. EDC has free water stations all over the festival so be sure to stay hydrated all night.
