How to be Financially Awesome for Summer’s Festival Season

Summertime is here, and it’s no secret the Pacific Northwest is home to some of the country’s most beloved music festivals. Our region hosts big shows like Bumbershoot, Portland Waterfront Blues Festival, and Boomjam Music Festival, attracts some of the nation’s top headliners at The Gorge Amphitheater, and of course, draws smaller, local fan-favorites too.

 

Music festivals are an amazing opportunity to connect with fellow fans, enjoy talented artists, and dance to your favorite music. But it’s also no secret that festival prices can be steep. Pollstar reports that the average ticket price for concerts jumped from $25.81 in 1996 to $135.92 in 2024. Of the estimated 80,000-plus attendees at the wildly popular Coachella in California, more than 60% used the festival’s payment plan, according to Billboard.

 

Before committing to an upcoming music festival, consider some financial planning tips to help keep your long-term goals on track while you enjoy some fun in the sun.

 

Craft a detailed budget to only spend within your means and help keep track of your finances. Determine how much you’re comfortable spending and stick with it. Crafting a detailed and informed budget will help guide your experience, allowing you to make informed decisions when preparing for the festival like choosing where to stay or whether to purchase merchandise. Once you decide on a budget, select a payment method. 

 

Many festivalgoers opt to use payment plans to purchase tickets and other festival necessities. Other options include using cash or cashback credit cards. Each payment method has its benefits. With payment plans you can make smaller, spaced-out payments. With cash, you’re able to pay in full upfront; with credit, payments can be spaced out with the added bonus of cashback rewards and other benefits. 

 

Planning ahead can save money in the long run, especially when it comes to ticket prices. Be proactive and buy tickets during pre-sale to receive the lowest box office prices. Many festivals offer early-bird discounts during specific pre-sale time frames, like the Darrington Bluegrass Festival in Darrington, Washington. Some festivals offer free or discounted tickets for volunteers, so explore whether volunteer jobs, such as ushering, ticket scanning, crowd control, and managing merchandise booths, are available. Although less frequent, some festivals offer giveaways or contests, giving the public a chance to score free tickets.

 

Securing lodging ahead of time can also provide better prices, better options, and less stress. If you’re attending a multiday festival, consider camping. Festivals like Beyond Wonderland in Quincy, Washington, and Re/Evolution in Darrington, Washington, offer camping passes with differing amenities like hot showers, security patrols, portable bathrooms, and more. These camping options can be a cost-saving alternative to a hotel or vacation rental. Regardless of your sleep options, you can increase your savings by splitting the price with friends. 

 

Festivals are usually multiday events that can quickly become exhausting without proper precautions. To help save money and stay fueled, bring food and water from home, when able. Some festivals, like the Sisters Folk Fest in Sisters, Oregon, allow festivalgoers to bring outside food and non-alcoholic beverages into certain venues. Other festivals allow guests to bring reusable water bottles. 

 

To shield yourself from the hot summer sun, bring hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and other permitted items to stay comfortable. Bringing your own supplies will help you avoid purchasing items on site — even small, seemingly affordable items add up over time. As a reminder, every venue is different. Ensure you review a festival’s list of prohibited items before attending.