photo by Jonathan Akbari

Festivals can be a magical space, where human connection and unity is at an all-time high. Synchronicity seems to be in the air, the vibes are high, and the pull between people and energies is undeniable. It’s no surprise that many festies leave events with a deeper connection to friends or a fling they met over the course of the weekend. Festivals are a perfect place to let your heart guide your experience and practice openness and vulnerability. Here are 10 tips to curate a perfect festival date that will leave you and yours satisfied and carrying the connection home with you.

Art Tour

Festivals are full of galleries and art installations. Take the time to step away from the music and the party, and tour the art at Branches. See what pieces call you and your date, and use it as a springboard to discover each other’s artistic influences. Art tours can be a mellow, sophisticated date that challenges you and your partner to uncover each other’s tastes and gain a deeper insight to their preferences thus creating a stronger bond.

photo by Fotobiotic, Earth Frequency

Use Real World Language

When planning a festival date, use real world terms. I’ll pick you up at your “house” (camp) or we’ll get dinner at your favorite “restaurant” (food vendor). Try to use traditional date ideas in a non-typical setting. The interplay of setting and real world conventions will blend together to create a fun playful experience but still contextualize the experience in default world terms.

Double Date

Bring your favorite couple or campmates and do a double date. The more the merrier, with more people it keeps it more casual and less restrictive and there’s less pressure than the one on one setting. It also allows for more opinions and options to curate a more diverse experience.

Keep It Respectful

Just because you are going on a date at a festival, don’t try to pressure the situation. Go with the flow, let everything dictate itself, sometimes festival dates lead to real world relationships, sometimes they’re more fleeting. Try dropping your expectations and realize that if someone chose to hang out with you over all the great things happening at the event, that is all you need. Take the pressure off and try to enjoy the moment!

An Evening Dancing

Take the night to experience as much music as possible. Plan out your favorite sets and also get some input from your partner. Take the chance to dance under the stars and share some of your favorite music with each other, there is nothing better than boogeying down to beats with your date.

Photo by Jason Abraham

Party Smart

Going out on a festival date is a chance to party with a beautiful soul and share a mystical and magical experience. But be smart — there is nothing worse than overdoing it and having to end the night early or getting spun out and having a poor showing. Be mindful!

Consent is Sexy

There is nothing hotter than consent. Just because someone agreed to go on a date with you it doesn’t mean that is an invitation to hook up or take it to the next level. Festivals can be a hyper sexualized space, so make sure your partner is on the same page before you make any moves. Asking before advancing shows respect for your date and reinforces boundaries that are often blurred at a festival. Communicating your needs, boundaries, and desires clearly, and listening to and respecting your partner’s, is the best kind of foreplay.

Sunset and Sunrise Dates

The glow of golden hour at sunset, or first light through the oak trees at sunrise can be some of the most astounding sights at a festival. Sometimes mother nature puts on the best show, and it gives you a chance to share an awestruck moment or a warm embrace. Planning to share a sunset or sunrise with your festy date is a great way to start the evening or end the night.

Movement Classes or Yoga

There is nothing better than working up a sweat or stretching it out. Diving deep within to center yourself only increases connectivity between you two. Learning new dance moves or taking an acro yoga class is a great way to bond and learn more about yourself and your partner. Find a class that piques both parties’ interest and dive in!

Shopping

Get outfitted with some new gear at your favorite vendor and let your inner peacock shine. Try on new outfits, get style input and opinions from your date and rock your new threads together. Shopping is a perfect date starter; pairing that with dinner is a nice and mellow way to get away from the party and share your steez.

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