How To Prepare For Dreamville Festival

After a historic fourth edition last spring in which 100,000 festival attendees from 20+ countries and all 50 U.S. states traveled to Cole’s home state of North Carolina to attend the Dreamville brand’s flagship annual event, Dreamville Festival will once again return to Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, NC to usher in the new spring festival season with a massive outdoor celebration of music, culture, and community.

As an annual reunion for Dreamville fans worldwide that drives a multi-million dollar economic impact to the greater Wake County region, Dreamville Festival will continue to offer a true taste of the good life in North Carolina this spring with dozens of local vendors, food trucks, artisans, and muralists spread across the Dix Park festival grounds.

As you prepare to head to the fifth and final Dreamvile Festival, here are a few things that will help you bet ready to live your best life at the festival.

Preparation & Packing

Tickets & Wristband – Activate your wristband ahead of time to avoid delays at the entrance.

Weather-Appropriate Clothing – Raleigh in April can be unpredictable—pack for warm days and cool nights. A rain poncho is a good idea, just in case.

Hydrate – Drink plenty of water and get electrolytes in your body before leaving the house. The weather is hot and the atmosphere is very high-energy. It is easy to sweat out water and nutrients that will keep your body healthy. Alcohol also with severely reduce the amount of electrolytes in your body and can lead to sever dehydration. Avoid passing out by hydrating and eating well before heading to the festival.

Comfortable Shoes – The festival is held at Dorothea Dix Park, meaning a lot of walking on grass and dirt paths. Opt for comfortable sneakers or boots.

Clear Bag – Dreamville has a clear bag policy, so bring a small, transparent backpack or fanny pack (check the official site for size restrictions).

Hydration Pack/Reusable Bottle – There are free water refill stations, so bring an empty reusable bottle or a CamelBak.

Sun Protection – The festival is outdoors with little shade. Bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen (non-aerosol only).

Portable Charger – Service can be spotty, and your phone battery will drain quickly. A portable charger is essential.

Cash & Card – Some vendors may take only one form of payment, so bring both.

Earplugs – Protect your ears while still enjoying J. Cole and the rest of the lineup!

Bandana or Face Mask – Dust and pollen can act up, especially if it’s dry—this will help.

Allergy Medicine – Pollen is here and active in full effect. Mitigate some of the issues of the pollen by taking allergy medicine and bringing it with you in case you may need it again.

At the Festival

Plan Your Schedule – Check the Dreamville app or website for set times and stage locations. Decide on must-see performances ahead of time.

Arrive Early – Gates usually open mid-morning, and arriving early helps you beat the crowds and grab a good spot.

Know the Layout – Locate water stations, food vendors, restrooms, and medical tents when you arrive.

Have a Meetup Spot – Cell service may be unreliable. Pick a visible landmark to meet friends if you get separated.

Pace Yourself – Dreamville is a two-day festival, so don’t burn out too fast! Take breaks and stay hydrated.

Food & Drinks – There will be amazing food vendors (including local NC spots). Expect lines at peak times, so plan accordingly. We suggest finding one artist that you may not be the most interested in seeing and using their performance time to plan your food/drink break.

Be Ready for Crowds – Some sets (especially J. Cole’s) will get packed. If you don’t like being in a tight crowd, find a spot further back.

Respect Festival Etiquette – Be kind, don’t push in crowds, and look out for fellow fans. Things get hot

Post-Festival

Plan Your Exit – Rideshare lines and traffic can be brutal when leaving. Consider walking a few blocks away before calling an Uber/Lyft.

Check Out the After-Parties – Raleigh has some great after-parties and events around Dreamville weekend. Follow local venues and social media pages to see what’s happening.

Recovery Day – Expect to be exhausted on Monday morning. Hydrate, rest, and maybe grab some classic NC barbecue before heading home!

With guests regularly traveling from across the globe and all 50 U.S. states to attend this highly-curated festival experience featuring local culture, food, and art, as well as performances from some of the biggest names in music today, Dreamville Festival has quickly become one of the largest annual events in the state of North Carolina as well as one of today’s most popular artist-led music festivals in the world.

Having grown up in nearby Fayetteville, Dreamville founder J. Cole and his team look to use the festival as a continued opportunity to shine a light on the special place that helped shape him into the successful and creative artist he is today.