Falcone and Borsellino“ waterfront”
Lamezia Terme (CZ) Calabria - Southern Italy

What to bring to Color Fest: the ultimate checklist

What to bring to the Colour Fest? If you’re packing your rucksack for the 14th edition of the independent and avant-garde music festival scheduled for the’11, 12 and 13 August 2026 on Falcone and Borsellino promenade by Lamezia Terme, this is the definitive checklist what you need. Three days of concerts at the Riviera of Sunsets, with the sea just a few metres from the stages and the campsite Just a stone’s throw away: a magnificent setting, but also one that’s hot, salty and full of sand, which means you need to pack your bag with a bit of care. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need, organised into categories — essentials kit, camping gear, beach essentials, documents and tickets, and two separate kits for day and night — so you won’t forget a thing and can arrive ready to enjoy the festival without a care in the world.

Festival rucksack with the essentials
Photo by Jose Luis Espindola at Unsplash

The setting: August in Lamezia Terme, between the sea and the Riviera dei Tramonti

Before packing your rucksack, it’s a good idea to bear in mind where you are. The Colour Fest It takes place in the middle of August on the Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria, where the climate is Mediterranean: hot, sunny and with very little rainfall in summer. Average temperatures in Calabria in August, they generally range between 22 and 30 degrees, with days that are often muggy at midday and much milder evenings by the sea. Rain is statistically rare at this time of year — but along the seafront, there is another factor that should not be underestimated: direct sunlight, the glare off the sand, the salty humidity and the temperature difference between an afternoon on the beach and a night under the stages.

In practical terms: you need to protect yourself properly from the sun during the day, stay hydrated and make sure you’ve got something light to wear in the evening. If you’ve chosen to sleep at the Camping Ulisse or to the Lido La Baia, add your overnight kit to the list. Let’s go through everything, category by category.

Essential kit: what you should always have to hand

Beach gear on the beach towel
Photo by Jamie Webster at Unsplash

This is the basic kit that every participant should bring with them, regardless of whether they’re sleeping in a tent or in accommodation. These are the items you’ll use every single day of the festival.

  • Reusable water bottle: With the August heat, staying hydrated is the number one priority. Fill it up and always keep it with you.
  • High-protection sun cream (SPF 30 or 50): essential on the seafront, where the glare increases your exposure to the sun.
  • Wide-brimmed hat or cap e sunglasses: they protect your head and eyes during the hottest part of the day.
  • Bum bag or small shoulder bag to keep safe telephone, cash and tickets without taking up too much space.
  • Power bank charging and the cable: between photos, maps and music, the battery runs out quickly.
  • Wet wipes and hand sanitiser gel: extremely comfortable in an outdoor, sandy setting.
  • Snacks and bars to recharge between gigs.
  • Comfortable closed-toe shoes for evening journeys and flip-flops for the beach and relaxation.
  • A sweatshirt or light jacket: In the evening, by the sea, the temperature drops.
  • Earplugs: handy for under the stages and for sleeping the morning after concerts.

Camping checklist: for those sleeping in a tent

If you have booked your pitch at the Camping Ulisse (from 70 euro) or to the Lido La Baia (from 60 euro), this section is for you. You can find all the information and booking details on the page dedicated to the Color Fest campsite. Here’s the kit you mustn’t forget for three nights under the stars.

Sleeping kit

Bluetooth speaker and beach accessories
Photo by Othman Alghanmi at Unsplash
  • Tent (check the pegs and tarpaulins before setting off) or confirmation of your booking at the accommodation.
  • Lightweight sleeping bag or a sheet: the nights are mild in August, so you don’t need much.
  • Inflatable mattress or mat and, if you’ve got room, a cushion for camping.
  • Eye mask and those already mentioned earplugs: In the morning, the light and the sounds arrive early.

Hygiene and camping life

  • Essential make-up bag: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, microfibre towel (dries quickly).
  • Dry shampoo and deodorant: invaluable allies when the showers are busy.
  • Shower slippers for shared toilets.
  • Head torch or small torch to help you find your way through the tents in the dark.
  • Resealable bags and a bin bag: to keep your pitch tidy and respect the environment.
  • Insect repellent: useful in the evening in the pine forest.

Beach kit: the sea is just a stone’s throw from the stages

One of the defining features of the Colour Fest The thing is, the festival takes place right on the seafront, with the beach just a stone’s throw away. Between DJ sets, you can pop for a swim or relax in the sun. That’s why it’s a good idea to always have a small beach bag to hand.

  • Swimsuit (It’s best to have two, so that one is always dry.).
  • Beach towel lightweight, which also serves as a mat.
  • Sun cream water-resistant and after-sun for the evening.
  • Waterproof bag or dry bag to protect your phone and other items from sand and splashes.
  • Hat and glasses (the same as in the essential kit: no need for duplicates).
  • A lightweight long-sleeved T-shirt to shield you if the sun gets too strong.

Documents, tickets and payments

The most important part – and the one that gets you in – is your documents. Keep them in a safe and easily accessible place, such as your bum bag. The tickets of Colour Fest 14 (from 39 euros) are available online: for individual ticket prices, season tickets and all ticket types, please visit the page Tickets and Info.

  • Festival ticket (digital on a smartphone or printed as a backup).
  • Valid identity document: may be requested at the checkpoints.
  • Confirmation of booking (if applicable) at the campsite or the beach.
  • Cash and cards: it’s handy to have a bit of cash for the stalls and the Colour Market.
  • Health card and, if you’re taking any medication, your personal escort with a prescription, if required.

Day kit and night kit: two bags, two occasions

A tip from a seasoned festival-goer is to organise your essentials into two separate small kits, depending on the pace of each day. At the Colour Fest Music fills the entire day: it ranges from the morning concert at Cosmo a The Source (Day 2, from 7.30 am to 11 am) right through to the night-time DJ sets, including the sunsets over the Tramonti Stage (CUPRA Stage). Having two bags ready saves you time and effort.

Day kit

  • Sun protection, a hat, sunglasses and a water bottle that’s always full.
  • Swimsuit and beach towel to pop to the loo between gigs.
  • Light snacks and fruit to help you cope with the heat.
  • Breathable clothing made of cotton or linen, in light colours.

Night-time kit

  • Sweatshirt or light jacket to enjoy the evening breeze.
  • Comfortable closed-toe shoes, ideal for dancing the night away.
  • Power bank and a head torch to find my way back to the tent.
  • Insect repellent and a bottle of water for the night.

What to leave at home

Just as it’s important to know what to bring, it’s equally important to know what to avoid. To enjoy the festival without any hassle and to comply with the rules, please leave the following at home: unnecessary valuables, bulky parasols, glass (often not permitted in concert venues for safety reasons) and oversized luggage. For up-to-date details on what is permitted in the venue, please always refer to the official guidelines on the page Tickets and Info.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring my tent to Color Fest?

Yes. Overnight stays in tents are available at partner accommodation providers such as the Camping Ulisse and the Lido La Baia. All you need to do is book your pitch in advance: you can find details on how to book and availability on the page dedicated to campsite.

Do I need to bring lots of warm clothes for the evening?

No. In August, in Lamezia Terme The nights are generally mild, with temperatures remaining pleasant. All you need is a a sweatshirt or a light jacket Because of the evening sea breeze: no winter clothes.

How do I get to Lamezia Terme and the seafront?

Lamezia is well connected thanks to its airport, railway station and motorway. For full details on flights, trains, car travel and parking, please visit the page How to get there on the official website.

Can I drink water during the festival?

In the summer heat, staying hydrated is essential. Take a reusable water bottle Make sure you top it up throughout the day and drink plenty of fluids, especially during the middle of the day and whilst you’re on the beach.

What else can I do apart from going to concerts?

The Colour Fest It’s also a chance to explore the local area. Between one live performance and the next, you can enjoy the sea at Riviera of Sunsets and explore the surrounding area: for ideas on villages, beaches and things to do, take a look at our guide on what to do in Calabria during the festival.

Ready to go? Get your ticket

Now that you have the definitive checklist at What to bring to the Color Fest, all you have to do is book your place. Three days of music, the sea and sunsets over the Falcone and Borsellino promenade by Lamezia Terme, from the’11 to 13 August 2026. Pack your rucksack, charge your power bank and Buy your ticket for Color Fest 14 now: the festival on Solitary Beach is waiting for you.

Color Fest 14 - Tickets

Tickets and Prices - Color Fest 2026

11 - 12 - 13 August 2026 - Riviera dei Tramonti, Lamezia Terme (CZ), Calabria.
Buy at colourfest.co.uk/tickets-info/

Full - 3 Days
141
Full subscription - 11-12-13 August
Full access to all three days of Color Fest 14. Apparat, Cosmo, The Zen Circus, Django Django, La Niña, Yīn Yīn, Deadletter and all the other artists. Including the Cosmo’s dawn concert of 12 August.
Buy subscription
1 Day
51
11 August - Day 1
Apparat live (first time in Calabria), C'mon Tigre, James Holden & Wacław Zimpel, Gaia Banfi, Labadessa + other artists to be announced.
Buy Day 1
2 Days
94
11 + 12 August - 2 Days
Day 1 and Day 2. Sébastien Tellier, Apparat, C’mon Tigre, Holden & Zimpel + The Zen Circus, Tutti Fenomeni, Yīn Yīn, Nico Arezzo + Anna Castiglia, Labadessa and many more. Includes the Cosmo’s dawn concert of 12 August.
Buy 2 Days
1 Day · with Cosmo
56
12 August - Day 2
✔ Cosmo’s dawn concert INCLUDED
A single ticket for the whole day, including Cosmo’s concert in the morning (7.30–11.00 am, the album *La Fonte* at dawn on the beach). Also on the line-up: Sébastien Tellier, The Zen Circus (only date in Calabria), Tutti Fenomeni (only date in Calabria), Yīn Yīn, Nico Arezzo + Anna Castiglia and others.
Buy Day 2 (featuring Cosmo)
Just Cosmo
39
12 August — Cosmo · Morning Concert Only
Ticket for the only Morning concert (7.30–11.00 am): the album «La Fonte» performed at dawn on the beach. Fancy staying for the rest of the day too? The ticket for the 12 August (€56) already includes Cosmo.
Buy Cosmo only
2 Days
94
12 + 13 August - 2 Days
Day two and three. Sébastien Tellier, The Zen Circus, Tutti Fenomeni, Yīn Yīn + Django Django, La Niña, Deadletter, Mai Mai Mai. Includes the Cosmo’s dawn concert of 12 August.
Buy 2 Days
1 Day
51
13 August - Day 3
La Niña (Targa Tenco 2025, only date Calabria), Django Django, Deadletter, Mai Mai + other artists to be announced.
Buy Day 3

All concerts take place at the Lungomare Falcone e Borsellino, Lamezia Terme (CZ), Calabria. Prices include booking fees. The ticket for 12 August and all season tickets that include 12 August include the Cosmo concert in the morning. Organised by: Che Cosa Sono Le Nuvole APS. For assistance: scrivi@colorfest.it.

Looking for Apparat concert Calabria, Cosmo concert in the morning, The Zen Circus live Calabria, Django Django concert southern Italy, La Niña Targa Tenco live? All at Color Fest 2026.