Events
Guide to summer festivals 2026: what equipment to bring
Summer 2026 promises to be full of festivals
Les Vieilles Charrues, Rock en Seine, Hellfest, Tomorrowland, Nuits Sonores… Summer 2026 promises an exceptional festival season. And to keep memorable memories of these intense moments, the right equipment makes all the difference between a blurry video forgotten the next day and an edit that you will happily watch again years later. Here is our guide to choosing the ideal equipment for your festival, as well as the accessories and good reflexes to adopt on site.
Video equipment for festivals
The action camera: your best ally
Forget the bulky reflex which risks taking hits in the pit. A rental GoPro Hero 12 is the perfect choice for festivals: compact, robust, waterproof (rain, mud, spilled drink) and equipped with HyperSmooth stabilization that captures smooth video even in a moving crowd. Fixed on a short pole, it takes shots above the crowd without disturbing anyone. Discover all our action cameras for rental to compare the models.
The 360 camera so you don't miss anything
A location Insta360 X5 is formidable at a festival. It captures everything in 360 degrees: you don't miss a moment, even when the action is coming from all sides. The framing is done after the fact on your smartphone, and the “invisible boom” effect gives spectacular shots with the stage on one side and the crowd on the other.
Don't neglect the sound
We think about image, we forget about sound – and it’s often what makes the difference in editing. The atmospheres captured on site, the crowd taking up a chorus, the rumble of a drop, the noise of the campsite in the early morning make a video much more immersive than music added on top. Let a few seconds of sound run alone, without looking for the perfect shot: these are the shots that will give substance to your edit.
What equipment depending on the type of festival
Rock/metal festival (Hellfest, Download)
Intense atmosphere, hectic pit, dust and decibels. Opt for a rental GoPro Hero 12 with chest mount for immersive videos without the risk of disturbing other festival-goers. Stabilization absorbs pogos and crowd movements. Bring a hard case to protect the equipment between two concerts.
Electro festival (Tomorrowland, Nuits Sonores)
The light shows and stage shows are spectacular. A location Insta360 X5 captures the overall ambiance perfectly. For nighttime videos, the GoPro Hero 12 and its improved low-light mode produce good results. Film the drops in slow motion for footage of cheering crowds that are all the rage on social media.
The French electro scene is divided into three families, and we do not film them in the same way: urban festivals, spread over several days and several locations in the same city, where the 360 on an invisible boom saves the cramped indoor shots; open-air festivals set up on a natural site for a weekend, where the scenography deserves wide shots; and associative and independent meetings, more intimate, where the hand-held action camera remains the most discreet.
General festival (Vieilles Charrues, Solidays)
A mix of concerts, camping atmosphere and moments of relaxation. Pack a location GoPro Hero 12 for versatility and a location Insta360 X4 for group times at the campsite. Alternate between the two to vary the angles and renderings in your final edit.
Stage side: DJ equipment
A festival is not only experienced from the pit. If you are playing on a secondary stage, hosting an after party or organizing the event, two references cover the essentials. The Pioneer XDJ-RX3 is a standalone all-in-one controller: it plays sets from a USB key, without a computer to plug in or monitor. The Technics SL-1210 MK2 , supplied with Ortofon Concorde cells, provide the vinyl touch that always has an effect in front of an audience. In both cases, set up the configuration and prepare your playlists before departure, never the evening before on site.
Essential festival accessories
Autonomy
A festival lasts 3 to 5 days and electrical outlets are rare when camping. Carry several batteries per camera, a high capacity external battery and a multi-battery charger. Recharge everything at the campsite during downtime so you're always ready for the next gig.
Protection
Rain, dust, mud, heat... Festivals put equipment to the test. GoPro are waterproof by nature. For the rest, a waterproof dry bag protects your equipment while camping, and a microfiber cloth in the pocket allows you to clean the lens regularly.
Storage
By filming intensively for several days, you will quickly fill up your memory cards. Plan for a comfortable capacity and, if you have a laptop, transfer and backup each evening. Otherwise, take several cards and select the highlights rather than filming everything.
Reserve and collect the equipment
The high season melts stocks: ideally book two to three weeks in advance to be sure to have the desired model on the right dates. The same reflex applies to the rest of your season, with pre-sales and accommodation close to the sites often leaving several months before the event.
When you receive the equipment, take the time to make it your own: turn on the DJ controller, check that the connections are complete and that each camera responds as you expect; If your kit includes a drone, give it a test flight in an open area. It’s much more pleasant in your living room than in the middle of the mud after dark.
Courtesy rules
Respect other festival-goers: do not brandish a pole throughout a concert, it obstructs the view of those behind you. Film the loud bits then put your camera away. And above all, don't forget to enjoy the present moment without experiencing everything through a screen.
In terms of written rules, each festival publishes access regulations: authorized objects, press or creator accreditations, areas where filming is permitted. Read it before coming with equipment, this avoids leaving a bag in the locker. For drones, the issue goes beyond site regulations: in France, flying over gatherings of people is strictly regulated, and a festival is a typical example. Reserve your aerial shots near the site, out of public, and only with the agreement of the organization.
Rent your festival kit on Fox Rider
Prepare your summer 2026 with the right equipment. Rent a location GoPro Hero 12 and a location Insta360 X5 out of Fox Rider for the entire duration of your festival: equipment checked before each shipment, delivered anywhere in France, ready to use, cameras and drones being covered against breakage and theft.