Hurricane Festival Packing List: What to Pack & What to Leave at Home
Packing for Hurricane Festival is not the same as packing for your average camping trip. Held each June at the Eichenring in Scheeßel, Lower Saxony, the festival mixes a typically northern German climate—think sudden downpours followed by blazing sun—with a keen security operation that restricts what you can take onto the concert grounds.
To make the most of your weekend, you'll need to split your packing into two separate kits: one for the campsite and another, much smaller set for the festival area. Understanding the difference before you arrive saves you from trudging back to your tent with a banned item.
Before You Pack: Check the Official Site and Weather
Before you even unroll your sleeping bag, open the official Hurricane Festival site and read the current A–Z info. Rules evolve: bag size limits, allowed items, and even the festival's exact running order frequently change from year to year, so what worked last June might not work this one.
Once the official site has confirmed the essentials, check the long-range weather forecast for Scheeßel. But be prepared to pack for all four seasons in three days: a sunny afternoon can easily turn into a cold, rainy night, and a fleece jacket plus a waterproof shell belongs in every bag.
Your Festival Pass and Cashless Payment
Your festival pass is your golden ticket onto the concert grounds. Keep it on your wrist as soon as you arrive—entrance controls fit the wristband in exchange for your valid pass, and there's no re-issue if it gets lost.
Hurricane operates a cashless payment system, which means the easiest way to buy food and drinks inside the site is a linked card or wristband. Still, it's wise to bring a small amount of cash for emergencies, but leave the heavy wallet at home.
Camping Gear: The Backbone of Your Stay
If you camp at Hurricane, your tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, and a chair are non-negotiables. The campsite gets crowded and can turn muddy, so choose gear that stands up to wind and water, and don't forget a groundsheet to keep everything dry.
Gazebos are allowed on the campsite—one standard 3×3 metre size per group of about ten. For larger groups, additional gazebos are permitted accordingly. If you're coming by car, a trolley or folding cart saves your back on the long walk from the parking lot to your pitch. When deciding where to pitch your tent, check our tips on where to stay for hurricane festival to choose the right campsite for your group.
Clothing: Layers for Unpredictable North German Weather
The golden rule for Hurricane clothing is layers. T-shirts and shorts for the daytime heat, plus a fleece jacket and jeans for when the temperature drops after sunset. Throw in a swimsuit just in case the sun makes an appearance, and a pair of pyjamas for sleeping in comfort.
Footwear deserves special thought. Comfortable shoes for dancing all day, but also rubber boots or waterproof trail shoes because the campsite gets muddy after a downpour. Don't forget extra socks—nothing ruins a festival faster than wet feet.
Food and Drink: Cook on Site or Buy On-Site
The campsite is self-catering territory: gas stoves with small canisters, portable grills set on legs (never directly on the ground), and cool boxes are all part of the fun. Bring non-perishable items like canned food, instant noodles, and cereal—but remember that glass and cans are not allowed onto the concert grounds.
You'll need plenty of water, and the festival allows empty, foldable containers of any size on the campsite. On the concert grounds, you can carry an empty bottle up to one litre, which you can refill at the drinking water taps. Buying drinks on-site works too, but the prices are higher, so bringing your own saves some cash.
Toiletries and Health: The Small Stuff That Matters
A travel-sized toiletry kit is essential—even if shower queues are long, a quick scrub keeps you human. Sunscreen is non-negotiable even on cloudy days, and insect repellent plus a tick card are wise for the Lower Saxony countryside.
Pack a small pharmacy: blister plasters for those dancing feet, painkillers for headaches or heatstroke, personal medication, and a basic first-aid kit. Earplugs are a festival lifesaver when you're trying to sleep next to a late-night singalong, and a sleeping mask helps in a tent that's bright at 5 am.
What's Allowed on the Concert Grounds
The concert grounds are stricter than the campsite. Bags and backpacks larger than DIN A4 are heading home, and any bag you take must be at least one-sided transparent—drawstring bags, gym bags, and cotton totes fit the rule if they're see-through. Bum bags and hip bags are A-OK, as long as they're small.
You can bring an empty bottle up to one litre (but plastic only, see the official list) and an empty drinking cup made of plastic or cardboard up to 0.5 litres. A packed lunch for personal consumption is allowed, and you should always have a rain poncho or umbrella—small ones, not beach parasols—and a power bank inside the grounds.
What's Banned: Leave These at Home or in the Car
Glass and cans are the big no-nos on the concert grounds—security confiscates them at the gate. Also banned are chairs of any kind, including folding chairs and polystyrene cubes, and professional cameras, selfie sticks, and any other recording equipment.
Fireworks, weapons, and any objects with sharp edges are obviously out, as are plastic bottles, hydration packs, and filled Tetra Paks. The campsite has its own set of rules, so always check the official 'Bring it & leave it' list for the latest updates before you pack.
Practical Packing Tips: Save Your Back and Your Sanity
Use a trolley or handcart to cart your gear from the car to the campsite—parking can be far, and you'll be grateful for wheels. Pack light: you'll be living out of a backpack for days, so only bring what you genuinely need.
Label your valuables and tent with your name and phone number. Not only does that help if someone walks off with your chair, but it also makes it easier for security to return items you forget. And plan for mud: a spare pair of old sneakers or wellies in the car saves you from a horror story at the end of the weekend.
Final Checklist
As you zip up your bag, run through this mental list: festival pass and camping ticket, ID, cash and cards, phone plus power bank, tent, sleeping bag and mat, rain gear, layers, comfortable shoes, toiletries, and your personal medicine stash.
Double-check the official Hurricane website again the week before you leave, because rules might change right after you pack. And remember that the festival team's official list is the final word on what you can bring—so better to read it twice than to lose your favourite chair at the gate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my own alcohol to Hurricane Festival?
Yes, you can bring your own beer, wine, or spirits for personal consumption to the campsite, as long as you don't bring glass bottles or cans into the concert grounds. The festival's official information says you may bring empty bottles to the stages and fill them inside, but any glass or can containers are confiscated at the gate. Always check the current rules on the official site, as restrictions can change.
Are chairs allowed at Hurricane Festival?
Chairs are not allowed on the concert grounds. The official list prohibits all types of chairs, seating furniture, and items like polystyrene cubes on the concert grounds. You can, however, bring camping chairs to your campsite and use them there.
What size backpack can I take into the concert area?
On the concert grounds, bags and backpacks must not be larger than DIN A4 size. If you carry a drawstring bag, gym bag, or cotton bag, it must be at least one-sided transparent to be allowed in. Bum bags and hip bags are allowed if they are small and worn on your body. Bags larger than A4 are not permitted, regardless of transparency.
Is glass allowed at Hurricane Festival?
On the concert grounds, glass bottles and glasses of any kind are prohibited. On the campsite, the rules are less strict, but you should still avoid glass containers because they can break easily in a crowded camp or muddy ground. Always check the official 'Bring it & leave it' list for the latest guidelines.
Can I bring a gazebo to the campsite?
Yes, you can bring a standard gazebo up to 3x3 metres to the campsite for every group of about ten people. If your camping group is larger than ten, you are allowed to bring multiple gazebos, as long as they stay within the size limit. Make sure it is a standard model and not a mega-sized structure, and check the official rules for any updates.
Do I need a separate camping ticket?
Yes, if you plan to stay on the festival campsite, you need to buy a separate camping ticket in addition to your festival pass. The festival pass alone grants access to the concert grounds, but camping tickets are required for entry to any of the regular campsites, resort areas, or trailer parks. You can buy them separately, but they often sell out fast.
Is there a bag limit on the campsite?
There is no strict bag size limit on the campsite, but security checks will inspect your luggage at the entrance. You are allowed to bring any bags that comply with the 'Bring it!' list, including backpacks, duffels, and handcarts. However, larger items such as furniture or bulky objects might be flagged, so keep your load reasonable and respect the security staff's decisions.
What should I wear for Hurricane Festival?
For Hurricane Festival, you should pack for both hot and cold weather. Bring shorts, t-shirts, a light jacket or hoodie, and comfortable jeans. A rain poncho or waterproof jacket is essential, and you'll be glad to have rubber boots if the grass gets muddy. Wear comfortable shoes for dancing, but also pack a pair of sandals or slides for lounging at the campsite. Always bring a sun hat and sunscreen, as northern German weather can turn sunny quickly.