As someone who’s all about the music festival scene, I completely understand how difficult it can be to plan the perfect festival hairstyle. You want your hair to look cute and stylish, but you also need something practical that can handle the heat, humidity, and long hours of dancing. Luckily, you’ve got tons of options! From sleek updos to playful braids and trendy accessories, there’s a festival-ready style for everyone, regardless of hair type or length. Without further ado, let’s dive into some fabulous festival hair ideas that are both functional and fun.
In 2024, festival hair is all about combining style and function. Want to keep it classic? Go for braided buns or slicked-back ponytails for an effortlessly chic look. Are you feeling adventurous? Try vibrant hair colors, glittery accessories, or intricate baby braids to add a playful twist. Box braids, messy updos, and rhinestone-adorned styles offer longevity and flair, perfect for multiple-day festivals.
Hair accessories like barrettes, bows, and rhinestone clips take over the festival scene, elevating even the simplest hairstyles into statement looks. With the right products, such as strong-hold hairspray, texture spray, and hair oil, these styles will last through the heat, sweat, and endless dancing. Get inspired by these 25 festival-ready hair ideas, and be the head-turner at your next music event!
Festival Hair Idea: Birkin Bangs
Birkin bangs are making a major comeback for 2024. Inspired by fashion icon Jane Birkin, these wispy, eyebrow-grazing bangs are softer and more relaxed than traditional fringe. They pair perfectly with a retro-inspired hairstyle, giving you that effortlessly cool festival look with a modern twist.
Festival Hair Idea: Sleek Low Ponytail
Tessa Thompson’s low ponytail, crafted by Lacy Redway, is sleek perfection for festival-goers. Add some hair oil to create a glossy, wet-look finish. This style is ideal for humid or hot festival days when you want to keep your hair off your neck but still look polished and chic.
Festival Hair Idea: Beachy Waves
Beachy waves are a festival staple, and they’re easy to achieve. Simply braid your hair the night before, sleep on it, and release in the morning for natural waves. Alternatively, use a three-barrel hair waver to create the perfect beachy texture. Finish with sea salt spray for an authentic, lived-in look.
Festival Hair Idea: Glittery Barrettes
Festival hair is all about fun accessories, and glittery barrettes add a playful touch to any look. Channel Simone Ashley’s cute vibe by pinning sparkly clips into your updo, ponytail, or bun. Use hairspray to ensure they stay in place all day while you dance the night away.
Festival Hair Idea: Wet-Look Hair
Sweat can ruin a hairstyle, but why not make it work in your favor? Embrace the wet-hair look by slicking your hair back with plenty of gel to achieve a shiny, glistening effect. Inspired by Karol G, this style mimics a sleek, “just out of the water” vibe, perfect for staying cool at a festival.
Festival Hair Idea: Space Puffs
Embrace your natural curls with playful space puffs. These mini buns, placed on either side of your head, are fun, practical, and perfect for a day of dancing. Whether you’re rocking out to rock or R&B, this style is an all-around crowd-pleaser.
Festival Hair Idea: Vibrant Hair Color
Festivals are the perfect time to experiment with bold, temporary hair colors. Try a color-depositing conditioner or temporary dye to transform your look for the weekend. Bright pinks, blues, or purples can add a whole new level of fun to your festival vibe, and you can wash it out once the weekend is over.
Festival Hair Idea: Braided Bun
Box braids offer versatility, and a braided bun is an excellent way to switch up your look. Simply pull your braids into a high bun, securing it with bobby pins. This is a practical yet elegant way to keep your hair off your neck during long festival days while adding a touch of sophistication.
Festival Hair Idea: Voluminous Blowout
If big, bouncy hair is your goal, don’t let the festival heat stop you. Achieve voluminous waves with a large-barrel curling iron, and finish with a texturizing spray for extra hold. This Sabrina Carpenter-inspired blowout will keep you looking glam and ready to take on the festival scene.
Festival Hair Idea: Long Braids
Long braids are always a go-to for festivals, combining style with practicality. If your hair isn’t naturally long, use extensions for added length. To keep flyaways in check and your braids shiny like Salma Hayek’s, apply a smoothing hair cream. These braids will hold up for days of dancing and heat.
Festival Hair Idea: Box Braids
Box braids are a timeless festival hairstyle, offering both style and protection. Opt for traditional or knotless box braids, which are gentler on the scalp. These braids will last you through the entire festival and beyond, making them a low-maintenance, stylish choice for any festival weekend.
Festival Hair Idea: Thick Headband
Combat festival hair frizz with a thick, stylish headband. This accessory not only hides sweaty roots but also adds a fun pop of color or pattern to your look. Pair it with loose waves or a sleek ponytail, and you’ll be ready to rock out in style.
Festival Hair Idea: Vibrant Hair Color
Festivals are the perfect time to experiment with bold, temporary hair colors. Try a color-depositing conditioner or temporary dye to transform your look for the weekend. Bright pinks, blues, or purples can add a whole new level of fun to your festival vibe, and you can wash it out once the weekend is over.
Festival Hair Idea: Sleek Twisted Bun
Anitta’s sleek twisted bun takes your average slicked-back style to the next level. Before you tuck your hair into a bun, twist the ends into a sleek bang. This style works best with a bit of grease in your hair, making it a perfect option for day-three festival hair.
Festival Hair Idea: Messy Updo
A messy updo is the epitome of low-maintenance festival hair. Simply gather your hair into a loose topknot and secure with bobby pins. Pull out a few face-framing pieces and give them a curl for a romantic, undone look that’s both comfortable and stylish in hot weather.
Festival Hair Idea: Half-Up, Half-Down
Combine the best of both worlds with a half-up, half-down hairstyle. This look lets you embrace your natural texture while keeping your hair off your face. It’s a perfect opportunity to showcase cute clips, bows, or other accessories. Bonus: It works for all hair lengths and textures.
Festival Hair Idea: Swirly Slicked-Back Bun
This unique twist on the slicked-back bun is perfect for festival season. Use a fine-edge brush and gel to create artistic swirls with your baby hairs, adding a creative element to a classic bun. It’s a fun and fashionable option that works especially well for keeping your hair in place in hot weather.
Festival Hair Idea: Light Bends
Gigi Hadid’s bendy bob is the epitome of summer chic. To achieve this effortless look, use a flat iron to create soft, subtle bends along your hair while keeping the ends straight. This style works with short and long hair alike, giving you those casual, undone summer waves that scream festival vibes.
Festival Hair Idea: Goddess Braids
Channel Storm Reid’s stunning look with goddess braids, which combine braiding from the roots with loose, wavy ends. This style is both protective and fashionable, giving you a comfortable yet eye-catching option for festivals. Wear the braids down or twist them into a side bun for a bohemian feel.
Festival Hair Idea: Accessorized Bun
Elevate a simple sleek bun with bold accessories. Think oversized bows, metallic clips, or even flowers. This is the modern-day take on the classic flower crown, giving you a playful, chic festival hairstyle that can be adapted to match any look.
Festival Hair Idea: Voluminous High Ponytail
A high ponytail might seem simple, but when done right, it’s a total showstopper. For Nicola Peltz Beckham’s lush look, add some volume to your ponytail by using extensions if needed. This full, bouncy ponytail will keep you cool while looking ultra-glamorous, no matter how long your festival day is.
Festival Hair Idea: Bow Braid
Nicola Coughlan’s braided bow look takes the coquette trend to a whole new level. This eye-catching style is surprisingly simple—just create two braids and pin them into a bow shape. Secure with hairspray and bobby pins, and you’re ready to go! It’s the perfect mix of cute and playful.
Festival Hair Idea: Rhinestone Dutch Braids
Add some sparkle to your festival hairstyle with rhinestone-studded Dutch braids. These braids are raised against your scalp, providing the perfect base to add rhinestone clips or pins throughout. Just like Remi Bader’s look, this style gives your braids a unique, glittery touch that will turn heads.
Festival Hair Idea: Braided Crown
For a more boho-inspired look, try a braided crown. This classic festival hairstyle is perfect for keeping your hair off your face while still looking chic. Even if you have shorter hair like Lucy Boynton’s, you can pull off this braided updo for an effortlessly stylish festival vibe.
Festival Hair Idea: Side-Parted Bun
This slicked-back bun with a side part offers a more polished alternative to a standard bun. Sweep some face-framing layers or bangs to the side for added flair. Use a flyaway wand to keep everything smooth and sleek, ensuring that this hairstyle lasts all day while keeping you cool.
Festival Hair Idea: Baby Braids
Add a playful touch to your natural texture with tiny baby braids throughout your hair. Use clear elastics to keep them subtle, or go bold with colorful hair ties for a fun, Y2K-inspired twist. This style is perfect for adding a little something extra to your festival look.
FAQs
Q: How can I keep my festival hair looking fresh all day?
A: Use strong-hold hairspray and pack extra bobby pins or hair ties to secure your look. Dry shampoo and texturizing spray can help refresh your hair throughout the day, especially in hot weather.
Q: What are some low-maintenance festival hairstyles?
A: Styles like box braids, messy updos, and sleek buns are low-maintenance options that require minimal touch-ups. These styles stay in place while keeping you cool and comfortable.
Q: How do I protect my hair from sun damage at festivals?
A: Wear a hat or use a UV-protective hair spray to shield your hair from harmful rays. Hydrating hair masks and leave-in conditioners will also help keep your hair healthy and moisturized during long festival days.
