Yahoo Finance How To Save Money During Music Festival Season
For dedicated music fans, warmer weather means that festival season is approaching. Whether it’s Coachella, Lollapalooza or Summerfest, people from all over the world will travel to see their favorite artists at their favorite festivals. However, while they are a great opportunity to see many of your favorite artists within the span of a few days, with music festivals comes a lot of spending.
Check Out: Top 8 Richest TikTok Influencers
Find Out: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy
For a weekend-long festival, the average cost ranges from $200 to $600, not including travel expenses. A survey conducted by Casino.org found that Americans are willing to spend about $728.49 on their dream concert or music festival, including the cost of tickets, travel and other accommodations. Diehard music lovers will set aside about 13% of their monthly income for concerts, sometimes more if they want better seats. To attend their dream festival or concert, most Americans are willing to travel an average of 405.7 miles.
Whether it’s hotels, ticket costs or even planning your outfits, music festivals require a lot of spending. However, if done correctly, a devout music fan can attend their favorite music festival and save money while doing so.
Sponsored: Credit card debt keeping you up at night? Find out if you can reduce your debt with these 3 steps
Package Deals and Early Bird Discounts
Music festivals will often offer package deals. According to music industry expert and All Axess founder Joel Smith, these discounted ticket bundles can include additional perks like camping, parking and food.
“These bundled options can actually end up being a better value than buying everything separately,” Smith said.
Joey Tyler, director and co-owner of Verellen Music Academy, said early bird discounts and promo codes come with discounted rates, allowing concertgoers to save a significant amount on festival tickets.
“Signing up for newsletters or following festival social media accounts can keep you in the loop for these opportunities,” Tyler said.
Read More: Who Are the Most Successful ‘American Idol’ Contestants?
Bring Your Own Water Bottle and Snacks
Food and drink offered at music festivals are usually very expensive. While trying the different festival foods can be tempting, concertgoers can save money by bringing their own reusable water bottle and snacks. When it comes to what food or water bottles you can bring in, Smith said it’s important to check the festival’s policies.
“Opt for budget-friendly food options such as food trucks, or bring your own snacks and reusable water bottles to stay hydrated without overspending,” Tyler said.
Carpool or Use Public Transport
“Consider carpooling with friends or using public transport to cut down on gas and parking fees,” Smith said. “You can even look into rideshare credits to save even more.”
Additionally, Tyler said some festivals offer shuttle services or have designated pickup points, which can be a lot more affordable than driving.
Avoid Impulse Buys — Especially on Merch
Buying tour or concert merchandise is a big priority for music fans. However, it’s very important to avoid impulse buys.
“It’s so easy to get caught up in the excitement and start buying tons of branded items, but those costs add up really quickly,” Smith said.
A good tip is to give yourself a merch budget and stick to it.
“Focus on purchasing items that hold sentimental value or unique pieces that you can’t find elsewhere,” Tyler said.
Accommodation Alternatives
Local hotels will raise prices as festivals come into town, as they know more traveling concertgoers will be looking to book rooms. Choosing cheaper accommodations, such as Airbnb rentals, camping or staying with friends or family, will help your finances.
“Camping not only provides a budget-friendly lodging option but also adds to the communal festival experience,” Tyler said.
Volunteer Opportunities
A lot of music festivals will offer free or discounted admission in exchange for volunteer work. Not only can you get cheaper — or even free — admission, but you can also have the chance to help with various tasks at a music festival, such as selling merchandise or working at the box office.
Explore Free Activities at Festivals
While the biggest attractions at a music festival are the artists who are performing, music festivals often have other activities, such as workshops, art installations and interactive experiences, available.
“Take advantage of these free or low-cost activities to enhance your festival experience without spending extra money,” Tyler said.
Plan Ahead
Before going to a music festival, it’s important to set a budget to avoid overspending. Be sure to prioritize what artists you want to see. There’s a chance you don’t have to attend every day of a festival, especially if one day doesn’t include any artists you’re interested in seeing.
“At the end of the day, it’s about planning ahead and being strategic,” Smith said. “Don’t let the festival atmosphere make you lose sight of your budget. With a little discipline, you can have an amazing time without blowing your whole wallet.”
More From GOBankingRates
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How To Save Money During Music Festival Season
