Have you already planned your line-up, arranged to meet your friends, and started counting down to four unforgettable days on Slovakia's island of positive vibes? A little preparation goes a long way, so we've put together a practical packing guide – from absolute essentials to a few tips picked up by seasoned festival-goers.
1. Tickets & Documents (The Absolute Essentials)
Imagine arriving at the entrance to Trenčín Airport only to realise you've left the most important thing at home. Not the best way to start a festival.
Before you leave, double-check your festival holy trinity:
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Festival ticket: No ticket, no festival.
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Parking pass: If you're driving, buy it in advance. On-site parking usually sells out, and sorting it out at the last minute is an unnecessary headache.
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Accommodation ticket: Whether you've booked a Tent Inn, cabin, Family Camp pitch or campervan space, each reservation comes with its own separate barcode.
Festival Life Hack: Don't rely on mobile data at the entrance. With thousands of people trying to connect at once, the network can become overloaded. Save your tickets to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, or at least take screenshots before you leave. For complete peace of mind, it's also worth carrying a printed copy in your backpack.
A word of advice
If you still haven't bought your ticket, only use official sales channels. Avoid suspicious offers on marketplaces or social media. A fake ticket is an expensive way to spend your weekend hearing Gandalf at the turnstiles saying, "You shall not pass!"
If you do buy a second-hand ticket, TicketSwap is the platform officially recommended by Pohoda Festival.
Don't forget your documents
Pack your ID card, health insurance card, and if you're driving, your driving licence and car documents. Keep everything in a waterproof pouch or a resealable (Ziplock) bag.
2. Accommodation – Tent or Something More Comfortable?
For many people, a festival simply isn't a festival without a tent, sleeping bag and camping mat. To make your temporary home a little more comfortable, don't forget these essentials:
- Tent: Choose a double-skin tent if possible to help keep the rain out - but most importantly, bring one you actually know how to put up. Before leaving, check that you have all the poles, pegs and a small mallet.
- Sleeping mat or air mattress: A foam mat is the tried-and-tested classic, but if comfort comes first, don't forget the pump for your inflatable mattress.
- Sleeping bag and pillow: Even if daytime temperatures reach 30°C, mornings at the airport can be surprisingly chilly. If you're travelling by car, a small pillow is definitely worth the extra space.
- Earplugs: Basic foam earplugs can save your night's sleep when the DJ is still going strong at 3 a.m., the person next door snores like a bear, or your campsite neighbours decide dawn is the perfect time to debate the meaning of life. If you also want to protect your hearing during concerts, invest in high-fidelity earplugs - they reduce the volume while preserving the quality of the music.
- Mark your tent: A colourful flag, ribbon or solar-powered fairy lights will save you wandering around for ages looking for "that blue tent" among thousands of others after dark.
3. Clothing – Be Ready for Whatever the Weather Brings
The forecast may look promising, but an open airfield can surprise you with both blazing sunshine and heavy rain.
- Comfortable, well-worn shoes: Your number one priority. You'll easily walk more than 20 km a day, so bring two pairs in case one gets soaked.
- Clothes for day and night: Light summer clothing is perfect during the day, but temperatures can drop quickly after sunset. Pack a hoodie, long trousers and something warm and comfortable to sleep in.
(Ladies, think twice before packing jumpsuits - they're undeniably cute, but wrestling with one inside a portable toilet isn't nearly as glamorous.) - A proper waterproof jacket or raincoat: A cheap emergency poncho is better than nothing, but a good waterproof will keep you warm and dry through a proper summer downpour.
- Leave umbrellas at home. They are generally not allowed at festivals, as they can obstruct the view and pose a safety risk in crowded areas.
4. Sunshine, Hygiene & Festival Glam
An open airfield offers very little shade, so don't underestimate the sun - or the importance of staying fresh throughout the festival.
Here's what to pack to stay comfortable during four days under the open sky:
Sun Protection
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Cap or sun hat
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Sunglasses
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Sunscreen (SPF 30–50)
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Lip balm with UV protection
Bathroom Essentials
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Toothbrush and toothpaste
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Soap or shower gel and shampoo
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Towel (as every good hitchhiker knows, never travel without one!)
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Hairbrush or comb
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Mosquito and tick repellent
Festival Survival Kit
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Wet wipes or baby wipes (the universal substitute for a shower)
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Dry shampoo (if you'd rather skip the shower queue)
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Hand sanitiser – you'll appreciate it before every meal
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Your own toilet paper or tissues (essential if you've ever visited a portable loo!)
Nice Little Extras
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Dental floss (especially if you're planning to enjoy festival corn on the cob)
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Waterproof mascara (so the rain doesn't leave you looking like a panda)
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A handheld fan for those hot, windless afternoons
5. Mini First Aid Kit – Small Items That Can Save the Day
It hardly takes up any space, but you'll be glad you packed it - and so will your friends.
Pack:
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Any prescription medication you take regularly
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Painkillers and fever relief (such as paracetamol or ibuprofen)
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Plasters and an elastic bandage
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Bite relief gel or antihistamine cream
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Antiseptic for minor cuts and scrapes
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Glucose tablets or a protein bar – a quick energy boost when your batteries run flat halfway through a concert.
6. Practical Extras & Money
- Power bank and charging cable: A larger capacity power bank (around 20,000 mAh) should easily last the whole weekend. You can hire one at the festival, but it's much more convenient to have your own.
- Head torch or flashlight: Finding your tent is much easier after dark, especially if your phone battery has died. Besides, using your phone as a torch inside a portable toilet is a risky game - nobody wants to watch it disappear into the abyss.
- Ziplock bags and bin liners: Resealable bags keep your phone safe from dust and rain, while larger bags are perfect for storing wet or muddy clothes.
- Duct tape and some cord: The ultimate festival repair kit. It'll fix a broken tent pole, a loose shoe sole or even a torn backpack.
- Reusable water bottle or collapsible cup: Free drinking water stations are available throughout Pohoda. An insulated bottle will keep your water refreshingly cold, even in the midday sun.
- Cash and bank card: Most food stalls and bars accept card payments, and there are cash machines on site, but it's always handy to keep a little cash in your pocket.
- Bum bag or small crossbody bag: Leave your large hiking backpack at the tent - it'll only get in everyone's way. Keep your valuables in a small, ideally waterproof bag worn across your chest.
7. The Festival Tea Ritual – What If There's No Tea House?
If you're the kind of person who believes a festival isn't just about beer, but also about taking a quiet moment with a great cup of tea, it's worth planning ahead. Once again, there won't be a tea house at Pohoda this year, so you'll need to bring your own tea essentials.
Ideally, pack a compact travel tea set in a protective case - or at the very least, a suitable mug or brewing vessel.
Two Easy Ways to Enjoy Great Tea at the Festival
Hot Tea from the Food Stalls
There's no need to carry a camping stove around.
Simply visit one of the friendly cafés or food stalls and ask if they could fill your own mug or flask with hot water. Most vendors are happy to help. That's when you'll truly appreciate bringing good-quality tea with you - a rich dark Pu erh after a long day or a proper black tea instead of your morning coffee can work wonders.
Cold Brew – The Ultimate Festival Refreshment
This is perhaps the best festival life hack for hot summer days.
Pack teas that taste wonderful brewed in cold water. Green teas such as Sencha are perfect, but white tea, Darjeeling and many oolongs also develop beautifully when left to infuse slowly - overnight, for example.
Fukamushi Sencha is even quicker. Simply add the leaves to a bottle of fresh cold drinking water from one of the festival's water stations and leave it to infuse for an hour or two. The result is a naturally refreshing, unsweetened iced tea that keeps you hydrated while providing a gentle, sustained lift - even during the hottest afternoons.
Stay Safe – And Be Kind to the Planet
Pohoda has always been a festival that genuinely cares about the environment, and every visitor can help.
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Bring a reusable water bottle and separate your waste.
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Leave your campsite as clean as you found it and never throw cigarette ends on the ground.
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Stay hydrated - and by that, we mean mainly drinking water... or tea, of course. Save the alcohol for later; dehydration is one of the most common reasons people need medical assistance at festivals.
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If you're coming with children, remind them to drink regularly and agree on a meeting point as soon as you arrive, just in case anyone gets separated.
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Open fires are strictly prohibited in the campsite.
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If you smoke, please respect the designated non-smoking areas. A lit cigarette in a crowded audience can easily injure someone - especially children, of whom there are always plenty at Pohoda.
Enjoy Every Moment of Pohoda!
Pohoda isn't special only because of its outstanding programme. It's the people who make it truly unique.
Be kind, patient and considerate. Help someone pitch their tent, lend a power bank, share a bottle of water or simply make room for someone in the crowd. It's these small acts of kindness that make Pohoda the festival so many people return to year after year.
We wish you fantastic music, unforgettable concerts, new friendships, plenty of great tea - and exactly the kind of weather you're hoping for.
Have a wonderful Pohoda!