Your Guide to Music Festivals with T1D

Are you a diabaddie who loves music festivals but worries that managing type 1 diabetes (T1D) will take away from the fun? Sure, T1D often becomes the main character when it should usually stay in the background, but at music festivals, it should be about you, your happiness and enjoying the main stage.

With summer coming up, major music festivals like Coachella, SXSW, Warped Tour, Austin City Limits, Firefly, Lollapalooza and more are just around the corner. If you’re preparing to vibe out at these events, check out our top tips to have a great time and avoid stressing too much about T1D.

It’s not about dwelling on the problems that can come with big crowds, the environment or moving around a lot. Instead, it’s about being aware so that T1D maintains its side character status, just like it should!

Pack more diabetes supplies than you think you need

Tiny festival bags are cute, but being prepared to tackle any unexpected diabetes challenge is cuter. Pack for your health! Most music festivals are multi-day events. A good rule of thumb is to always pack more than you think you’ll need—it’s better to have too much than too little.

Here are some things you might want to add to your packing checklist:

• Backup insulin vial(s)
• Insulin pump supplies: infusion sets, syringes, insulin, etc.
• Smart pen or traditional multiple daily injections (MDI) supplies (which are also helpful to pack in case of an insulin pump malfunction)
• Backup syringes and needles
• A backup blood glucose meter (BGM) if you wear a continuous glucose monitor (CGM)
• CGM sensors and receiver (if you prefer it to your phone)
• Test strips and lancets
• Batteries and/or chargers for any of the diabetes devices that need them
• Alcohol wipes, hand sanitizer and mini Kleenex packs
• Low blood sugar snacks: glucose gummies, powders or gels—something that won’t melt in the heat if you’re in a high-temperature area
• High-protein snacks to keep you nourished: protein bars, jerky, roasted chickpeas, tuna pouches and dried edamame are good options on-the-go
• Electrolytes to keep you hydrated
• A water bottle (if the venue allows it): you might be able to get a pass on this one, if not, by stating a medical need related to your diabetes
• Emergency glucagon
• Freezer packs—sometimes labeled as diabetes coolers, medical travel cases or insulin cooler packs—to keep your insulin cool while you’re at the venue

Let someone know you have T1D

Sharing with others that you have T1D might feel awkward or annoying, but it’s really important and can even save your life. Let the people you’re with at the music festival know about your T1D, explain how they can help in emergencies and tell them where to find your support tools (i.e., “I keep my low blood sugar snacks and glucagon in my backpack.”).

You don’t want T1D to take over your experience, so be prepared and take control. Your friends and support system want to help!

If you’re going alone, just let the people around you during the festival know—like the folks near you during a set or at the food trucks. If you meet someone new, it’s totally fine to say, “Hey, I have type 1 diabetes. If I seem confused or off, I might need some sugar.”

This isn’t about lecturing or burdening anyone—it’s about looking out for yourself. Most people will understand, and it only takes a minute or less.

Drop a pin on medical support

Most festivals have a special screening line just for people with medical conditions like diabetes. This makes getting in quicker and avoids confusion around your diabetes medications and supplies. If there isn’t a separate line, tell security right away that you have diabetes and what supplies you’re carrying.

Once you pass security and enter the venue, drop a pin on the medical support tent. Every festival has a medical or first aid tent—find out where it is early on. It’s smart to introduce yourself to the medical team and let them know about your condition and what you might need.

Even if you’ve never needed support before, it’s better to say something and get peace of mind. Just in case!

Wear medical alert gear

A tattoo isn’t enough to identify you as someone with diabetes. Tattoos can symbolize remembering a loved one or supporting a cause. They are not reliable forms of identification for medical staff or strangers, even though they may offer clues.

Consider wearing a medical alert bracelet or ID tag. Keep them on you at all times so you can be properly identified and quickly treated in a worst-case scenario.

If your phone has this feature, set up your emergency settings. This might include adding medical information. At the very least, it usually involves adding emergency contacts who can be contacted if there’s a serious situation.

Keep a pulse on the heat

Heat can sneak up on you quickly at music festivals. Hot temperatures can change your blood sugar, so watch your CGM or test your blood sugar more often than usual. If needed, take a break from the crowd to do this.

Keep your insulin safe from extreme heat by using a freezer pack or cooling wallet. The medical tent staff can often help store it if needed.

Watch your CGM and pump sites, too. Sweating can sometimes weaken the adhesive on sensors and sites. Be prepared with extra supplies, use adhesive tape or consider switching to MDI for the festival with your doctor’s support.

Stay hydrated and nourished

Make sure to stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Keeping hydrated helps prevent dehydration. Keep sugary snacks or juice nearby in case your blood sugar drops, and include a high-protein snack to help stabilize it and maintain your energy.

Make sure to eat solid, satisfying meals. Stick to your usual foods if you can, to help keep your blood sugar stable. Know how your body reacts to different foods and adjust your insulin doses accordingly. 

If you want a break from your routine, that’s okay. Whenever possible, prebolus, eat slowly and choose a balanced mix of nutrients to improve your blood sugar management.

Be mindful with alcohol and marijuana use

Let’s be honest: alcohol and marijuana are common at music festivals. Whether you choose to use them is your decision, but it’s important to watch your blood sugar levels carefully.

How marijuana affects you can be different from how it affects others. Don’t assume you will react the same way as someone else. Your body’s chemical makeup will influence how marijuana makes you feel.

In the hours after consuming marijuana, you could feel:

• Relaxed, mellow, calm
• Euphoric, happy, creative
• Sleepy, lazy, like your body is heavy
• Shaky or on edge (similar to the feeling of low blood sugar!)
• Talkative, with wandering thoughts
• Quiet, with mental chatter muted
• Anxious or paranoid, without the ability to calm yourself
• Thirsty, hungry, unable to control appetite
• Nauseated, dizzy

There are always risks that accompany drinking alcohol. You may experience any of the following symptoms:

• Decreased awareness
• Lack of coordination
• Impaired judgment, behavioral changes
• Slurred speech
• Fatigue
• Malnutrition

Don’t drink alcohol on an empty stomach, know your alcohol and sugar content, test your blood sugar often and don’t drink alone. When you’re at a music festival, side effects from alcohol or marijuana, combined with being out of your routine and in the heat, can escalate quickly.

Most of all: have fun!

People with T1D often have to put in extra thought, pack carefully and prepare more than others when getting ready for events like these. It might take a little more effort on your part, but it’s all worth it to enjoy yourself to the fullest. 

Remember, having diabetes doesn’t hold you back from having fun and making great memories. You are capable of handling anything that comes your way. So go out there, have an amazing time and make the most of every moment!

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