Best festival tents 2024: ready, set, camp!

Looking to invest in the ultimate festival fortress? Get ready for years of partying without the dreaded wake-up call of being soaked to the bone and shivering like a leaf in a storm.

Let's face it, when it comes to festivals, camping is the name of the game. It's like a giant sleepover with thousands of your closest (and sometimes not-so-close) friends—sociable, budget-friendly, and as flexible as a yoga instructor at sunrise.

Sure, you could drag any old tent to a festival, but let's be real: not all shelters are created equal. Those nifty backpacking tents might be light as a feather, but they're about as sociable as a grumpy cat at a party. And don't even get us started on those pop-up tents—they're like the fast food of camping, quick and convenient but lacking in substance.

Now, inflatable tents? They're like the unicorn of festival shelters—magical if you can find the right one (and don't forget the pump unless you fancy a lung workout). But here's the golden rule: never, ever skimp on your tent budget and ditch it on-site like a bad Tinder date. That's a camping faux pas of epic proportions.

Instead, aim for a mid-range tent that's built to last, providing you with not only quality but also enough space to stretch out and enjoy the festival vibes. So, without further ado, dive into our top picks for festival tents or scroll down for some sage buying advice. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, check out our best tent guide for even more options.

Best festival camping tents to buy now

Best overall

The North Face Homestead Domey 3-Person Tent stands out as an excellent choice for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a spacious and well-organised shelter. Constructed from durable 75D Polyester with varying levels of PU coating, it offers reliable weather protection and breathability.

With a generous floor area of 4.6 m² and 125 cm of headroom, it comfortably accommodates three people, making it ideal for festivals or camping trips. The tent features multiple doors/windows and a skylight for ventilation, along with ample storage pockets and a removable gadget pouch for organisation.

Setting up the tent is a breeze with colour-coded poles and pegs, taking only minutes to assemble. Tested in rainy conditions in the Brecon Beacons, it proved waterproof and wind-resistant, providing a comfortable and dry interior. While condensation around the skylight was noted, overall performance was commendable.

With its sturdy construction, easy setup, and spacious interior, The North Face Homestead Domey 3-Person Tent is a top choice for those seeking a reliable and comfortable shelter for outdoor adventures.

Read our full The North Face Homestead Domey 3-Person Tent review.

Best affordable

The Quechua 2 Seconds Easy Fresh & Black tent may not unfold as magically quick as its name suggests, but it's still faster than you can say "campfire". In about a minute, you'll have it up and ready to rock, thanks to its simple setup involving a few pegs and some satisfying red drawcords. Need extra stability? Just toss in some extra guy ropes, and voila! Packing up is a breeze too, just like folding laundry... sort of.

This tent's got layers like an onion (minus the tears), meaning no pesky condensation ruining your slumber. Plus, its blackout materials keep the party outside from ruining your beauty sleep. And don't forget the spacious sleeping compartment, perfect for stashing all your gear—or your sleeping buddy who snores like a chainsaw. As for its durability, well, let's just say it's festival-worthy, even if it might not survive a zombie apocalypse.

Read our full Quechua 2 Seconds Easy Fresh & Black popup tent review.

Most organised

Looking for a festival tent that's more than just a pop-up headache? Say hello to the Vango Skye 3-man tent—your ticket to festival camping bliss. With full height and a blackout bedroom area, it's like a luxury suite on wheels (well, almost). And the porch? It's practically a VIP lounge for your gear, complete with windows for people-watching.

Sure, the side entry might seem a bit awkward, but trust us, it's all about maximising space. You can fit a few camping chairs in there, perfect for those impromptu jam sessions when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Pitching takes a breezy 15 minutes, thanks to colour-coded poles and an all-in-one setup. Plus, with proper groundsheet and taped seams, you'll stay dry even if the festival turns into a mud bath.

And for the neat freaks out there, rejoice—this tent comes with handy pockets and hanging points for all your gadgets and gizmos. Who says roughing it can't be organised?

Best blackout

Looking for a festival tent that stands out from the crowd? Meet the Coleman Octagon—a spacious sanctuary for festival-goers who like to do things differently. With a whopping 15.7 m2 of space, it's like having your own portable palace, whether you're a couple, a group, or a family.

The mesh windows let in sunlight by day, while the exterior flysheet 'curtains' keep out the noise at night. And with Blackout tech keeping things cool even in the sweltering heat, you'll be the envy of the campsite.

But it's not just about looks—the Octagon is built to withstand whatever the festival throws at it. With waterproofing that's second to none and robust steel poles, you'll stay dry and cozy, no matter the weather.

And when it's time to pack up and head home, the built-in wheels on the carry bag make it a breeze. So why settle for a standard tent when you can have a mobile glamping yurt? With the Coleman Octagon, your festival experience just got a whole lot cooler.

Best quick-pitch

In many ways, this is the ultimate festival tent due to its lightning-fast pitch time of two seconds, making it a tent for anyone who wants to rock up late and still grab a great pitch on the festival campsite. It’ll even pitch without pegs if you’re really in a rush, although we wouldn’t recommend you do that; otherwise, your tent may blow away in a light breeze.

The downside of this kind of instant wizardry is that it can take a bit of practice to reverse the process, especially with a hangover. And in high winds, the tent shape can be a bit unstable. To be fair to Decathlon, though, when properly guyed out, the Quechua 2 Seconds XL can stand a Force 6 gale, which is a pretty solid claim.

There are a lot of extra positives here, too, with Fresh & Black fabric blocking the worst of the rising sun's rays (99 per cent dark even in full daylight), as well as night-time revelry. With this type of tech on your side, hopefully, you’ll be able to get an extra few hours of quality snoozing…

Get the best price using one of our Decathlon discount codes.

Most waterproof

The Vango Kruger 300 is a versatile shelter built to handle whatever the British weather throws your way (i.e. lots of rain and wind). Its classic geodesic dome design offers unbeatable strength and wind resistance, perfect for those unpredictable festival campgrounds.

Crafted with ProTex Shield flysheet material, which boasts a whopping 3,000mm HH waterproof rating, this tent ensures you stay dry and cozy no matter how hard it pours. Plus, with ample storage space and multi-function doors that double as sunshades, it's as practical as it is sturdy.

And let's not forget the 'Nightfall' blackout fabric—ideal for those well-deserved lie-ins after a night of festival fun. In short, the Vango Kruger 300 is a reliable companion for all your camping adventures, from festivals to family trips.

Best budget

If you’re not fussed about luxury and just need somewhere to lay your head after a long day of partying, then this cheap festival tent will do just the trick. With pretty much zero pitching time, Regatta's Malawi Pop-up Tent comes straight out of the bag and simply needs pegging... leaving you to enjoy all the sights and sounds of the festival.

Another compact and lightweight choice for our best festival tents roundup, Regatta offers mesh ventilation points to aid breathability. Although it is single-layer, chances are you will have to deal with at least some condensation in the mornings. And beware: getting it packed back up will take some practice!

Best for groups

The substantial, space-ship sized Arpenaz 8.4 is a great choice for group festival-goers, with two separate bedrooms sleeping up to four in each. The big selling point here is the central space though, with two large access doors guarding a substantial covered chill-out room area that's perfect for kicking back, partying or knocking up a few sarnies the morning after.

Another major plus is that the elongated structure makes it very weather-resistant in contrast to blockier tents with similar airy headroom (2.1m max), so if bad weather strikes you'll be among the last standing – at least till winds top Force 6 or 50km/h. Pitching is rapid thanks to five colour-coded poles, and there are plenty of useful practical design tweaks, such as built-in washing lines over the windows, although using these might not be universally popular over longer festival periods. 

Most durable

The Journey Trio is an ideal solution to the disposable tent culture. A robust and roomy 3-man tent that’ll keep you warm, dry and happy on any campsite, this will last for years. Best of all, this proper tent design will stand up long after the cheap ones have been flattened in high winds, and it’ll shrug off a monsoon - so standard Glastonbury festival conditions, essentially.  

A solid hydrostatic head of 4000mm rating and a bathtub style groundsheet means that water should stay firmly on the outside, while an included footprint to minimise groundsheet damage will also be very handy on a festival site. However, there’s no blackout here, so remember the eye mask!

A pair of adjustable vents will help keep you cool as the sun rises (vital for the best lie-in possible), and a roomy porch area has plenty of room for wellies and paraphernalia. All this in a hiking-weight tent means this could be the only tent you need for all occasions. 

Best glamping

If you're determined to go for gusto, this immense 5m bell tent from Life in Tents is the way to do it. It's an absolute monster, made from thick-plied double weave Army duck cotton canvas, it can withstand wind gusts of over 50mph, and overall it's absolutely ideal for anyone who wishes that camping could be a lot more like being in a house.

Despite its size and weight, Life in Tents says this one can be put up in under 20 minutes with just a hammer and some flat ground, but of course, that's before you've put in a double bed, a couple of armchairs, a wardrobe, stove and all the other accoutrements you need for a really good glamp.

Obviously, you could fit any number of people in it, but realistically, it's made for one adoring couple, all their stuff and maybe an adorable pedigree dog or two. It's completely inappropriate for anything other than the most boutique festivals, but come on, just look at it. If it feels right, then why not go for it?

How to choose the best festival tent for you

When buying a festival tent, consider factors such as size, weight, setup time, weather resistance, durability, ventilation, and additional features like blackout fabric or storage pockets.

Size matters, ensuring it comfortably accommodates your group. Weight affects portability, especially if you're trekking to the festival grounds. Quick setup reduces hassle, vital when you're eager to start enjoying the festivities.

Weather resistance, including waterproofing and wind stability, keeps you dry and safe during unpredictable weather. Durability ensures your tent lasts through multiple festivals. Ventilation prevents condensation buildup, while features like blackout fabric enhance sleep quality.

How we test the best festival tents

Testing festival tents involves several steps to ensure they meet the average festivalgoer's needs.

First, we assess the ease of setup and takedown, simulating real-life festival conditions. We also check for intuitive instructions and minimal parts to reduce frustration.

Next, we examine weather resistance by exposing the tent to rain, wind, and sunlight. We evaluate waterproofing, wind stability, and UV protection to ensure adequate shelter in different conditions.

We test ventilation by spending time inside the tent to gauge airflow and condensation buildup. We assess durability by inspecting materials, seams, and zippers for quality and resilience, as well as evaluating interior space and layout to ensure comfort and functionality for sleeping and storing gear.

Finally, we consider any additional features, such as blackout fabric or storage pockets, and test their effectiveness.

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