A destination concert or music festival is something everyone should try at least once! Last year it was Red Rocks, just outside of Denver, CO (I really should do a write up) and this year was Moon River in Chattanooga, TN. If you are traveling all that way, you can’t not extend your stay and explore the area. We added on a so we could do a bit of sightseeing and explore the area– highly recommend the Chattabrunch food tour— so yummy! Read all about it HERE. We scoped out the festival location the night before and had dinner at Brewhaus, on the other end of the Market Street pedestrian bridge near Coolidge Park, the location of Moon River Festival. Delicious schnitzel!

While the festival was two days, we opted to do just one which gave us a bit more time to see Chattanooga. Hozier was headlining Sunday, and I was lucky enough to get tickets before they sold out. CAAMP had been set to headline Saturday, unfortunately they had to pull out the day before but luckily Needtobreathe stepped in and saved the day, filling their spot at the last minute. Whether you go one day or two–with two stages and eleven acts each day– the festival is jammed packed with great music, lifelong memories, and fun with friends and strangers alike. No matter where you were in the park– you could hear the music, see people dancing, and feel everyone having a good time.

As with most concerts nowadays, there were certain restrictions on what you could carry in, but I had my small crossbody bag that just fit my phone, ID, lip balm, wet wipes, and my little packets of True Grapefruit (to flavor my water from the refill station! So glad I had it!) We scoped out the park and found a ‘hole’ in the sea of people on the grass. I was glad I brought my handy-dandy stadium chair (which easily fit in my suitcase all rolled up), it was a lifesaver with sitting on the ground all day. I could lean back and take in the music and the SUN! It was HOT! Not a cloud in the sky, which was nice after a rainstorm paused the concert the day before, however it meant there was no shade… or very little and already taken. I had ordered a sun visor before the trip, but it did not come in on time, so instead I headed straight for the sprayground (so much fun!!) and soaked my newly purchased concert tee. I wrapped the wet t-shirt around my neck to help keep cool.

The fountain was not the only way to cool down– there were fruity popsicles, slushie sweet teas, cold adult beverages, and an indoor carousel with giant fans to cool everyone down! The ticket to the concert was a wrist band and it had a ship in it that you could link to a credit card, so it made for purchasing food and drinks— a little too easy perhaps! 😁

As for the music (I mean this is supposed to be about a music festival, right?), the bands were varied but each brought something a little different to the day. I could tell you about each band and tell you why I recommend you go– but next year will not be the same as this year, just as last year was not the same as this year. I can say that my favorites of the day were Kailtlin Butts, the 502s, First Aid Kit, & Nickel Creek. I’ll admit, a few were new to me and while they were amazing, I did need to make food runs and spend some time cooling down at the sprayground (Sorry, Noah Cyrus and Judah & the Lion). But as I said before, you could hear the music no matter where you were. The day was long, a bit hot, and sometimes a bit too people-y but it was all worth it for the headliner— Hozier!

Here are the Amazon items I could not live without at the concert: A portable stadium chair from Coleman (rolls up, easy to carry), UV SKINZ Women’s Visor with UPF 50+ Sun Protection (So. Much. Sun.), a mini-crossbody bag (for phone, chapstick, and true grapefruit packets for my water bottle–see below!), Skechers Reggae Strappy Slingback Sandals (so comfy!) and the last two go together– True Grapefruit packets for the Koodee 17oz insulated water bottle (makes the water from the refill station taste better! Saves $$) What are your festival must haves? Share below.

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