Express your wild side with these 12 free-spirited festival hair ideas! From braids to glitter roots, these styles are perfect for dancing under the sun.
Festivals are more than just music; they’re a full-blown experience.
It’s all about killer outfits, good vibes, and, of course, hair that shouts ‘I’m ready to party!’ Whether you’re gearing up for Coachella’s desert heat, the whimsical woods of Electric Forest, or your favorite local music fest, your hairstyle is a prime way to express your unique energy.
A standout festival hairstyle can totally transform your look and boost your confidence as you dance from sunup to sundown.
Choosing the right one, though, means thinking about a few things.
Your hair type and texture are key, but so is the festival environment itself – think sun, dust, and non-stop action!
And let’s be real, how much effort you’re willing to put in each morning matters too.
A little planning (or a chat with your stylist!) can help you pick a look that’s not just gorgeous but also practical for the entire event.
Finding Your Perfect Festival Vibe: Key Questions to Ask
Before you start scrolling through inspo pics, take a moment to think about what you really want from your festival hair. This will help you land on a style that feels totally you and can actually keep up with your plans.
- How long will you be at the festival, and will you need your style to last multiple days?
- What’s the weather forecast looking like – blazing sun, surprise showers, or dust storms?
- How does your hair usually handle humidity, sweat, or getting a bit messy?
- Are you aiming for an all-out glam look, or something more low-key and effortless?
- How much time are you realistically going to spend on styling each day (especially if camping!)?
- What kind of activities will you be doing? Lots of dancing, chilling in a field, or a bit of everything?
Answering these questions will point you towards festival hair that’s both fabulous and functional.
Essential Styling Prep & Festival Hair Care Integration
Amazing festival hair starts before you even pack your bags. A little prep goes a long way in making sure your chosen style looks great and lasts through every encore.
Some intricate braids or styles actually hold better on hair that’s not freshly washed, as it has more grip. Other looks, especially sleek ones, might need a clean base. If you’re seeing a stylist, chat with them about this.
Protect your scalp and hair from the sun! UV protective sprays are your best friend. A cute hat or scarf can also offer stylish protection.
Dry shampoo will be your MVP for reviving roots and soaking up sweat or oil, especially on multi-day festivals.
Combat frizz from humidity or dryness with a lightweight anti-frizz serum or cream.
Pack a travel-sized leave-in conditioner or detangler for nightly refreshing if your style allows, especially for longer festivals. These steps ensure your hair stays looking its best, no matter what the festival throws at you.
12 Festival Hair Looks to Unleash Your Inner Wild Child
Here are twelve versatile and vibrant hair ideas, perfect for expressing your free spirit and making a statement at any festival. Each offers a unique blend of style, fun, and practicality.
1. Boho Braided Crown: The Ethereal Queen
The Look & Feel
This style features braids (often Dutch or French) wrapped around the head like a halo or crown, embodying a romantic, free-spirited, and slightly whimsical charm. It’s the quintessential festival look that’s both pretty and practical.
Best Suited For
- Hair Types: Works beautifully on medium to long hair. Adaptable for straight, wavy, or curly textures. Thicker hair creates a naturally full crown; finer hair can benefit from “pancaking” the braids (gently pulling them apart).
- Festival Vibes: Perfect for folk festivals, Coachella, Lightning in a Bottle, or any event with a strong bohemian, indie, or whimsical theme.
- Durability/Activity Level: High. Once pinned securely, this style can last all day and even into the next, keeping hair neatly out of your face while you dance.
How to Ask Your Stylist / DIY Tips
Request a “braided crown” or “halo braid.” Specify if you prefer a Dutch braid (pops out more) or a French braid (flatter to the head). For DIY: Part your hair as desired (middle or side). Create two braids (French, Dutch, or simple three-strand) on either side of your head, starting near the temples. Wrap them around your head and pin securely, tucking the ends.
Styling Tips & Effort Level
Apply texture spray or dry shampoo before braiding for better grip and volume. Gently “pancake” the braids by pulling the edges for a fuller, softer look. Finish with a light-hold hairspray.
Effort: Medium. Takes a bit of practice if DIYing, but the payoff is huge.
Maintenance & Festival Perks
Low maintenance once it’s in. Keeps hair completely off your face and neck, which is a blessing in hot weather or crowded dance tents. Disguises second or third-day hair beautifully. Can be adorned with small flowers or delicate hair rings.
2. Glitter Roots: Sparkle Bomb Parting
The Look & Feel
A dazzling application of cosmetic glitter along the hair parting or sprinkled into the roots. It’s a fun, easy way to add instant glam and festivity to any hairstyle, catching the light with every move.
Best Suited For
- Hair Types: Works on all hair types and lengths, as it’s applied directly to the scalp/roots.
- Festival Vibes: Universal! Great for EDM festivals, Pride events, themed parties, or any fest where you want to shine. Think Electric Daisy Carnival or any high-energy rave.
- Durability/Activity Level: Medium. The glitter will stay put with the right adhesive but can shed a bit with lots of movement or sweating.
How to Ask Your Stylist / DIY Tips
This is typically a DIY addition. Mix cosmetic-grade glitter (avoid craft glitter near your eyes!) with hair gel, pomade, or a specific glitter adhesive. Carefully apply it along your parting or desired root area using a small brush or your fingertips.
Styling Tips & Effort Level
Effort: Low. Super quick to apply.
Use a clear hair gel for best results. For a more concentrated look, layer the glitter. Chunky glitters make more of a statement, while fine glitters offer a subtle shimmer. Pro-tip: Match glitter to your outfit or makeup for a cohesive look! It’s also a fantastic way to make unwashed hair look totally intentional.
“Glitter roots are pure joy!” notes festival hair artist Zara Lee. “Don’t be afraid to mix glitter sizes and colors for a custom sparkle that’s all you.”
Maintenance & Festival Perks
Minimal maintenance during the festival, but be prepared for glitter fallout (it’s part of the fun!). An instant eye-catcher and conversation starter. Shines brilliantly in sunlight and under stage lights. Can be applied over braids, buns, or down-styles. Be mindful of removal – oil-based cleansers often help.
3. Floral Hair Accents: Blooming Beauty
The Look & Feel
Incorporating flowers – real or artificial – into your hairstyle, whether as a full crown, individual clips, or woven into braids. It creates a soft, romantic, and often whimsical aesthetic, connecting you to nature.
Best Suited For
- Hair Types: Versatile for all hair types. Flowers can be pinned into updos, nestled into curls, or attached to headbands for shorter hair.
- Festival Vibes: Ideal for Coachella, Electric Forest, Burning Man (especially with desert blooms), folk festivals, or any event where you want to channel a fairy-like or bohemian goddess vibe.
- Durability/Activity Level: Low to Medium. Real flowers can wilt; artificial ones are more durable. Secure attachment is key for active festival-goers.
How to Ask Your Stylist / DIY Tips
If seeing a stylist, bring your chosen floral accessories or discuss what kind of flowers you envision. For DIY: Secure individual blooms with bobby pins (wire stems if using real flowers). Floral crowns can be bought or made. Small clips are easy to place strategically.
Styling Tips & Effort Level
Effort: Low to Medium, depending on the complexity.
Choose flowers that complement your outfit. For a subtle look, tuck a few small blooms behind your ear or into a braid. For a statement, go for a full flower crown. If using real flowers, keep them in water as long as possible before styling and consider a spritz of water or flower sealant.
Maintenance & Festival Perks
Adds an instant touch of romance and dreaminess. Fresh flowers offer a lovely scent. Artificial flowers are reusable and worry-free. Perfect for photo ops. Be gentle to avoid crushing delicate blooms if you’re in a mosh pit!
4. Colorful Clip-In Extensions: Instant Rainbow
The Look & Feel
Adding temporary pops of vibrant color – neon, pastel, or ombré – to your natural hair using clip-in extensions. It’s a commitment-free way to experiment with bold hues and transform your look in minutes.
Best Suited For
- Hair Types: Works for most hair types, as long as your natural hair is dense enough to hide the clips. Best for shoulder-length hair or longer to allow for blending.
- Festival Vibes: Fantastic for raves, EDM festivals, Pride parades, or any festival where bright, playful, and attention-grabbing looks are celebrated.
- Durability/Activity Level: Medium. Good quality clips should hold well, but vigorous dancing or headbanging might require extra securing or checking.
How to Ask Your Stylist / DIY Tips
This is mainly a DIY style. Section your hair where you want to add color, tease the root slightly for grip, and snap the clips in place close to the scalp. Let your natural hair fall over the clips to conceal them.
Styling Tips & Effort Level
Effort: Low. Super easy to install and remove.
Choose extensions made from heat-resistant synthetic fibers or human hair if you plan to style them with heat. Blend them into your natural hair by curling or straightening them together. You can add just one or two for a subtle flash, or go all out with multiple colors.
Maintenance & Festival Perks
Zero commitment to dye, zero damage to your natural hair. Change your color daily if you want! Instantly boosts your festival spirit and matches any wild outfit. Store them flat or hanging to avoid tangling between uses.
5. Space Buns: Galactic Chic
The Look & Feel
Two (or more!) buns perched high on the head, giving off a playful, cute, and slightly quirky sci-fi vibe. They’re a festival staple for a reason – fun, stylish, and super practical.
Best Suited For
- Hair Types: Works on most hair types, from fine to thick, straight to curly. Medium to long hair is easiest for fuller buns.
- Festival Vibes: Perfect for any high-energy festival, themed parties (think alien or futuristic), EDM events, or just when you want a cute, carefree look.
- Durability/Activity Level: High. When secured properly, space buns will stay put through hours of dancing and adventure.
How to Ask Your Stylist / DIY Tips
Ask for “high space buns.” Specify if you want them sleek or messy, and if you want any hair left out. DIY: Part your hair down the middle (or into as many sections as buns you desire). Create high pigtails, then twist or coil each pigtail into a bun, securing with elastics and bobby pins.
Styling Tips & Effort Level
Effort: Low to Medium. Easy to learn, quick to do once you get the hang of it.
For extra oomph, tease the pigtails before coiling for bigger buns. Make them stand out by wrapping the base with tinsel, adding glitter to the parting, or sticking in cute butterfly clips for a Y2K throwback. Half-up space buns are also a great option.
“Space buns are a lifesaver at festivals,” says mobile hairstylist Kai Miller. “They’re stylish, keep you cool, and you can truly customize them with glitter, braids, or charms.”
Maintenance & Festival Perks
Keeps all your hair up and off your neck, ideal for hot weather and staying cool. Super versatile – can be sleek and neat or messy and textured. They’re a fun way to manage hair that’s not at its freshest. Plus, they just scream “festival fun!”
6. Mermaid Waves: Ocean-Kissed Texture
The Look & Feel
Long, flowing, textured waves that look like you’ve just emerged from the sea. It’s an effortlessly cool, bohemian, and romantic style that pairs perfectly with the free-spirited festival atmosphere.
Best Suited For
- Hair Types: Ideal for medium to long hair. Works well on naturally wavy hair; straight hair will need styling tools or techniques to achieve the look.
- Festival Vibes: Perfect for beachside festivals, boho gatherings like Coachella, or any event where a relaxed, sun-kissed vibe is desired.
- Durability/Activity Level: Medium. Waves can loosen throughout the day, especially in humidity, but often look even better as they become more “undone.”
How to Ask Your Stylist / DIY Tips
Ask for “beachy waves,” “mermaid waves,” or “textured, loose waves.” Specify you don’t want perfect curls, but rather an S-shape wave. DIY: Use a sea salt spray on damp hair and scrunch. For a heat-free option, braid damp hair (one or two loose braids) overnight and undo in the morning. A three-barrel waver or crimping iron creates defined mermaid waves quickly.
Styling Tips & Effort Level
Effort: Low to Medium, depending on your method.
Don’t aim for perfection; the beauty is in the slightly messy, natural look. A texturizing spray can enhance the effect and add hold. You can add mini braids or hair wraps for extra detail.
Maintenance & Festival Perks
Looks great even as it gets a bit tousled. Very low maintenance throughout the day. Evokes a carefree, romantic spirit. Works well with hats or flower crowns.
7. Faux Hawk Braids: Edge Meets Elegance
The Look & Feel
One or more prominent braids (often Dutch or cornrow style) running down the center of the head, creating the illusion of a mohawk without any shaving. It’s a bold, edgy, yet surprisingly versatile look that keeps hair secure.
Best Suited For
- Hair Types: Works on most hair types and lengths (even shorter hair can do a mini version). Thicker hair creates a more dramatic hawk.
- Festival Vibes: Ideal for rock festivals, punk-inspired themes, Burning Man, or any event where you want to showcase a fierce, powerful look.
- Durability/Activity Level: High. This style is built to last, making it perfect for headbanging, dancing, and enduring long festival days.
How to Ask Your Stylist / DIY Tips
Request a “faux hawk braid,” specifying the type of braid (e.g., Dutch braid for more volume, or multiple smaller cornrow-style braids for intricacy). You can ask for the sides to be slicked back or left looser. DIY: Section off the central part of your hair you want to braid. Create a tight Dutch or French braid from your forehead to the nape. You can leave the rest of your hair down, or pull it into a ponytail or bun at the back.
Styling Tips & Effort Level
Effort: Medium to High, depending on the complexity and number of braids.
Use a pomade or gel for sleek sides if desired. The central braid can be adorned with hair rings, studs, or a sprinkle of glitter along its length for extra impact. For a softer look, “pancake” the main braid.
Maintenance & Festival Perks
Extremely secure and keeps hair out of your face. Makes a strong style statement. Can be slept on (carefully!) and often looks good for a second day. A fantastic way to manage hair in wind or high activity.
8. Pastel Hues & Dreamy Dyes: Candy-Colored Dreams
The Look & Feel
Embracing soft, ethereal pastel shades like lavender, rose gold, mint green, or baby blue throughout your hair. This isn’t a single style, but a color choice that transforms any look into a whimsical, eye-catching statement.
Best Suited For
- Hair Types: Achieving true pastels usually requires pre-lightened (bleached) hair, so it’s a commitment. Temporary options like chalks, sprays, or colored conditioners work on lighter natural hair too.
- Festival Vibes: Perfect for fantasy-themed fests, spring/summer events, or anywhere you want a soft yet vibrant pop of color. Think fairy vibes or unicorn chic.
- Durability/Activity Level: Color durability depends on permanent vs. temporary. Temporary colors may fade or run with sweat/rain.
How to Ask Your Stylist / DIY Tips
For permanent/semi-permanent pastels, consult a colorist well before the festival to achieve and stabilize the color. For temporary fun: use hair chalks on dry hair, colored sprays (hold breath!), or color-depositing conditioners/masks.
Styling Tips & Effort Level
Effort: High (for achieving the color initially if bleaching); Low (for temporary application).
Pastel shades look stunning in braids (showcasing different tones), waves (creating a soft dimension), or even on short, edgy cuts. If you’ve invested in pastel dye, use color-safe shampoos and conditioners. A color-depositing conditioner in your chosen shade is great for touch-ups during a multi-day festival.
Maintenance & Festival Perks
Makes a memorable and unique statement. Looks incredible in photos, especially in sunlight. Allows for creative expression. Be aware that chlorine or harsh elements can affect pastel longevity.
9. Bubble Ponytails & Braids: Playful Perfection
The Look & Feel
A ponytail or pigtails sectioned off with elastics down its length, with each section “bubbled” out for a fun, voluminous, and trendy look. It’s graphic, easy to achieve, and undeniably playful.
Best Suited For
- Hair Types: Works best on medium to long hair, straight or wavy. Thicker hair creates more dramatic bubbles, but finer hair can achieve it with teasing.
- Festival Vibes: Great for pop-themed events, colorful festivals, or any occasion where a cute, modern, and slightly retro hairstyle fits the bill.
- Durability/Activity Level: High. The elastics keep this style very secure, making it great for dancing and active days.
How to Ask Your Stylist / DIY Tips
Request “bubble braids” or a “bubble ponytail.” Specify how many bubbles or how spaced out you want them. DIY: Create a ponytail (or pigtails). Place an elastic a couple of inches down from the base. Gently pull and tug on the hair between the elastics to create a round “bubble” shape. Repeat down the length of the ponytail.
Styling Tips & Effort Level
Effort: Low to Medium. Very easy once you get the hang of spacing the elastics and fluffing the bubbles.
Use clear elastics for a seamless look, or colored elastics to match your outfit. Tease each section slightly before creating the bubble for extra volume. Can be done as a high pony, low pony, or pigtails.
Maintenance & Festival Perks
Super trendy and photographs well. Keeps hair neatly contained and off the neck. Works on all hair types (though length helps). Can be easily jazzed up with glitter in the bubbles or colorful elastics.
10. Hair Tinsel Strands: Subtle Shimmer
The Look & Feel
Fine, glittery strands of tinsel tied or micro-beaded into individual hairs, creating flashes of light and subtle sparkle as your hair moves. It’s like fairy dust woven right into your locks.
Best Suited For
- Hair Types: All hair types and lengths can rock tinsel. It’s attached to individual strands, so it integrates seamlessly.
- Festival Vibes: Universally awesome! Adds a touch of magic to any festival look, from boho to glam rock. Especially great for events with lots of sunlight or dramatic stage lighting.
- Durability/Activity Level: High. When applied correctly (especially tied-in), tinsel can last for days or even weeks, surviving washes and styling.
How to Ask Your Stylist / DIY Tips
Some stylists offer tinsel application. Ask for “hair tinsel” or “fairy hair.” DIY kits are available: it involves tying a slip knot with the tinsel around a few strands of hair, or using micro-beads for a longer-lasting application (this requires a tool).
Styling Tips & Effort Level
Effort: Medium to apply (can be fiddly, especially DIY tie-in method), but zero effort once it’s in.
Choose tinsel colors that contrast or complement your hair. Rainbow, silver, and gold are popular. You can add just a few strands for a hint of sparkle or go for a more noticeable shimmer with many strands. Tinsel can usually be heat-styled on a low setting along with your natural hair (check product instructions).
Maintenance & Festival Perks
Extremely low-maintenance once applied – just wash and style your hair as usual. High impact for minimal daily effort during the fest. Catches the light beautifully and adds an unexpected element of surprise. Comes in tons of colors to match any outfit or mood.
11. Half-Up, Half-Down with Beads: Boho-Chic Blend
The Look & Feel
A versatile style where the top section of hair is pulled back (into a bun, ponytail, or twists) while the rest flows free, accented with decorative beads on strands or braids. It’s a perfect mix of relaxed, practical, and stylish with a Y2K or bohemian flair.
Best Suited For
- Hair Types: Works for almost all hair types and lengths (as long as there’s enough hair to pull some up). Especially lovely with wavy or curly textures for the “down” section.
- Festival Vibes: Great for laid-back indie fests, desert parties like Coachella, or anywhere you want a comfortable yet embellished style.
- Durability/Activity Level: Medium. The “up” section keeps hair from your face, while the “down” section is free. Beads should be secured well.
How to Ask Your Stylist / DIY Tips
Ask for a “half-up, half-down style” and mention you want to incorporate beads. You can specify how you want the top section styled (e.g., “half-up top knot with beaded tendrils”). DIY: Secure the top half of your hair. Braid small sections of the loose hair or the secured hair and thread beads onto the ends, securing them by tying a small knot, using a small elastic, or clamping them if they are cuff-style beads.
Styling Tips & Effort Level
Effort: Low to Medium. The base half-up style is easy; adding beads takes a little extra time.
Use metallic beads (gold, silver, bronze) for a bolder look, or colorful wooden/plastic beads for a more playful vibe. Add a few micro braids into the “down” section for extra texture before beading. Braiding the strands you intend to bead makes it easier to thread them and helps them stay put.
Maintenance & Festival Perks
Offers the best of both worlds: hair off your face but still showcasing length and texture. Beads add a personalized, crafty touch. Easily customizable to match your outfit or festival theme. Comfortable for all-day wear.
12. Braids Laced with Ribbons: Colorful Weaves
The Look & Feel
Classic braids – French, Dutch, pigtails, or even a simple three-strand – get a vibrant festival upgrade by weaving colorful ribbons through them. It’s a playful, customizable way to add pops of color and texture.
Best Suited For
- Hair Types: Works best on medium to long hair to allow for substantial braiding. Any texture can be braided, but smoother hair might show off the ribbon detail more clearly.
- Festival Vibes: Perfect for any festival! Match neon ribbons to an EDM rave outfit, pastels for a whimsical folk fest, or metallic ribbons for a glam-rock vibe.
- Durability/Activity Level: High. Braids are inherently secure, and the ribbon adds to the structure. Great for keeping hair contained and stylish all day long.
How to Ask Your Stylist / DIY Tips
Ask your stylist to “incorporate ribbons into braids.” Bring your chosen ribbons! DIY: Start your braid as usual. Take a length of ribbon, fold it in half, and incorporate the folded end as if it’s one of your three hair strands (or anchor it at the base of the braid with a bobby pin). Continue braiding, weaving the ribbon through with one of the hair sections.
Styling Tips & Effort Level
Effort: Medium. The braiding itself is standard; weaving the ribbon evenly takes a little practice.
Choose thin to medium-width ribbons; very wide ribbons can be bulky. Satin, grosgrain, or even velvet ribbons can create different effects. For a high-energy look, use neon shades. For a softer, dreamy effect, opt for pastel tones or lace. Secure the end of the ribbon with the hair elastic, or tie it into a bow.
Maintenance & Festival Perks
A fun and easy way to add personality and color without commitment. Keeps hair very neat and tidy. Ribbons can help thicker braids hold their shape even better. Protects hair from tangling.
Product Essentials for Festival Hair Success
To make sure your chosen festival hairstyle not only looks amazing but also lasts through every headbang and sun-soaked dance session, having the right products is crucial. Here’s a quick rundown of your festival hair toolkit:
- Dry Shampoo: Your absolute number one! Revives oily roots, adds volume, and gives grip for styling.
- Texture Spray / Sea Salt Spray: For those perfectly undone waves, braids that hold, and general lived-in coolness.
- Hairspray (Flexible & Strong Hold): A flexible hold for styles that need movement, and a strong hold to lock in updos or intricate braids.
- Hair Gel / Pomade: Essential for slicking down flyaways, applying glitter, or achieving sleek looks like a faux hawk.
- Bobby Pins & Clear Elastics: The unsung heroes of festival hair. You can never have too many!
- UV Protectant Spray: Shield your hair and scalp from sun damage – a non-negotiable for outdoor fests.
- Mini Leave-In Conditioner/Detangler: Great for refreshing hair at the end of the day or prepping for a restyle if you’re at a multi-day event.
- Your Chosen Embellishments: Glitter, hair rings, flower clips, beads, ribbons, tinsel – whatever makes your style pop!
Pack smart, and your hair will thank you.
Conclusion: Rock Your Festival Look & Shine On!
Festival season is your green light to experiment, play, and let your hair reflect your inner wild child. It’s all about self-expression, feeling good, and making unforgettable memories.
From ethereal braids to dazzling glitter and bold colors, there’s a festival hairstyle out there that’s calling your name.
Think about your hair, your personal style, the festival atmosphere, and how much effort you want to put in, and you’ll find your perfect match.
Don’t be afraid to try something new or ask your stylist to help bring your vision to life with these inspiring ideas. Now go ahead, choose your look, and get ready to turn heads and dance like nobody’s watching!
Which festival hairstyle are you dying to try first? Share your picks in the comments or tag a friend who needs some serious hair inspo for the season!