FestivalPlot

Charging phones, fans and lights at camp

Updated · FestivalPlot guides

Before packing, list what needs charging at camp: phones, a fan, lights and other battery-powered gear. Check how long you'll run each item and whether you can recharge while you're there.

What needs charging?

List your portable fan, phone, headlamp, lights and any speakers you're bringing. Check which have their own rechargeable batteries and which need power overnight. If you're camping with friends, decide who will bring shared charging gear.

Add your chargers, batteries and lights to the packing checklist.

Estimate battery use

Look for two numbers: watts (W) tell you how much power a device uses while running. Watt-hours (Wh) tell you how much energy a battery stores. [1]

For example, a fan drawing 10 W for 6 hours needs about 60 Wh. Over three nights, that's 180 Wh before charging losses or any other devices. Those numbers are illustrative, not the rating of a specific fan. Actual use depends on your device, settings and battery.

Use your own device ratings when estimating battery capacity. Include a reserve for charging losses, and check whether the battery can supply enough power for devices running at the same time.

Place lights and chargers

Put a light near the tent entrance and another near the cooler or table. Keep charging equipment dry and cords away from paths through camp.

A fan alone cannot prevent heat illness. In extreme heat, find a cooler place, take breaks and drink water. [2]

Try a real, editable tent, car and canopy layout. Adjust it to your actual site and equipment; the example doesn't represent an official festival pitch.

Check whether your site has electricity

Standard camping spots may not include an outlet. Coachella's published 2027 advance-sale details, for example, list Powered Car Camping separately from regular Car Camping. Check the specific camping pass for your event. [3]

  • Which devices need charging each night?
  • How many nights does it need to last without a recharge?
  • Is someone bringing a shared battery?
  • Does your camping pass include electricity?

Don't improvise campsite electrical connections. Avoid bringing a fuel-burning generator unless it is expressly permitted and can be operated safely; never run one inside a tent, vehicle or other enclosed space because of deadly carbon-monoxide exhaust. [4]

Sources & further reading

  1. U.S. Energy Information Administration, Measuring Electricity — watts and energy use.
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, About Heat and Your Health — updated July 20, 2026; shade, hydration, and limits of fans.
  3. Coachella, 2027 Advance Sale — Camping Details — separate Powered Car Camping option; organizer details are subject to change.
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Carbon Monoxide Hazard: Using a Generator — reviewed August 26, 2026.

Sources checked October 30, 2026. The fan calculation is illustrative, not a battery runtime guarantee. Verify current organizer rules and your own device specifications before packing.

Open the planner