Your outfit’s planned, tickets are saved, and the group chat hasn’t stopped buzzing for days. Whether it’s a music festival, cultural celebration or sporting event, travelling for events comes with a special kind of excitement.
It may also involve tight schedules and a fair bit of time pressure, but a little planning can make the whole experience feel smooth.
Let’s flow through it step-by-step together, and you’ll be packing like a pro before the first encore or witnessing the golden goal.
Common event items that need planning
Event travel often means bringing items you wouldn’t normally pack for a regular getaway. Thinking ahead, helps everything move more smoothly, so you can focus on enjoying the adventure ahead.
Fan gear
From stadium stands to open-air festivals, items like flags, banners, signs, noisemakers and other fan gear are essential to the experience, whether you’re supporting a team, artist or cultural celebration.
Fabric flags and banners are generally accepted, but rigid parts like poles, metal rods or wooden dowels may be restricted in carry-on bags, especially if they are bulky, non-collapsible or boast sharp ends greater than 6cm.
If your flag rolls up easily and doesn’t include hard support, you can sport your team on the plane.
Some fan gear, including air horns and other pressurized noisemakers, may be limited by size. Smaller aerosol containers (100 mL or less) can travel in your carry-on when placed in a 1L clear, resealable bag.
Larger air horns must be packed in checked baggage and require air carrier approval. Each container must have less than 500 mL or g, with each passenger limited to 2 L or kg.
And even if they’re just for cheering on your favourite team, items such as hockey sticks, baseball or cricket bats or golf clubs are not allowed in your carry-on and must be checked.
Clothing and accessories
Event travel is where everyday packing meets personal expression, with outfits and accessories often chosen as carefully as the tickets themselves.
Costumes and themed outfits are generally welcome to wear or pack, but excessive layering may require additional screening at the checkpoint.
Accessories with lots of metal wiring, or dense materials may set off alarms at security screening. If an accessory feels sharp or heavy, it likely belongs in checked baggage.
Many travellers choose to dress comfortably for their flight and save the full outfit reveal for after landing, this can be more comfortable and often quicker at the checkpoint.
Makeup, hair products and body glitter
For many travellers, the makeup bag is a key part of their carry-on to round out the festival look. These bags can be impressive, and they tend to include a mix of solids, liquids and powders.
If you want to bring liquids, aerosols and gel products – like foundation, hairspray, or setting spray – with you in your carry-on; they need to be in containers of 100 ml or less and all fit inside one clear resealable bag. Bigger bottles are suited for checked baggage.
Powder-based makeup products are popular for travel days because they’re easy to pack and use on the go. Keep in mind that powders in your carry-on are limited to a total volume of 350 mL, about the size of a soda can, so make sure you plan your packing accordingly.
Electronics and batteries
Capturing the moment, staying charged, or keeping plans on track, electronics are usually among the first things packed for festivals and events. With a little planning, especially with power and charging – your devices can stay ready when you need them the most.
Most personal electronics are permitted in your carry-on. However, placing these items in checked baggage may require approval from the air carrier. Power banks and spare lithium batteries must always be packed in your carry-on and kept in good condition. They don’t always play nicely in checked baggage, so it’s necessary to keep them with you.
Note that not all power banks and batteries are permitted – specific restrictions apply. Check out our batteries guidelines if you’re ever unsure.
And if you’re travelling with multiple devices, organizing them so they’re easy to reach can make the screening process feel much smoother.
Food and drink
Long travel days and a packed schedule make snacks and drinks lifesavers for any event-bound carry-on.
Solid foods like granola bars, sandwiches or fruit – some of the travelling classics – are generally welcome with you and can make a big difference on travel day.
When packing snacks, it’s also a good idea to keep your destination in mind, because some countries and regions have restrictions on items like fresh fruit, meat, or dairy.
Checking local customs and food rules ahead of time helps ensure your snacks are enjoyed at your destination, not left behind.
Extra resources made for you
Big moments deserve a smooth start. Before you head to the airport, take a few minutes to plan, pack smart, and know what to expect.
For a quick assist before travel day, check out CATSA’s “What Can I Bring?” Tool and Travel Checklist. It’s the quickest way to feel confident about what’s in your bag so you can breeze through security and get on with your trip.