Get Ready for SunFest 2023 in West Palm Beach
By David Rolland
Starting this Cinco de Mayo, SunFest is back in Downtown West Palm for three days of music, fun, art and sun. Started all the way back in 1982, SunFest has ballooned into a major music fest drawing national and international bands. This year’s edition takes place Friday, May 5 through Sunday, May 7 and will feature headlining sets by The Killers, Jack Johnson, and The Chainsmokers, along with dozens of other supporting acts. Because we at Atlantic Current care about your well-being, we’ve created this handy listicle for how to get the most positive vibrations for your buck at SunFest 2023.
Perfect your “cool festival fashion” look
These days, every moment at any music festival is primed to be social media content. Your friends will want to make countless Instagram stories and TikTok videos of your adventures, so don’t force them to crop you out of pics because you didn’t take any time selecting your wardrobe. SunFest 2023 fits may not be as high-stakes as Coachella fits, but this is as close to Coachella as many of us will ever get.
Learn and rehearse the hits for the bands you plan to see
Think back to your favorite concert moments. They probably mostly had to do with you singing along to the lyrics with your favorite band. With music familiarity breeds contentment. So, take the time to see who will be playing the days of SunFest you can attend and get to know their music. It will make you appreciate them that much more. No one wants to hear your made up lyrics either.
Make your checklist of must bring things (and check what items aren’t allowed)
SunFest has a handy list on their website on what you can bring inside and what’s not allowed at www.sunfest.com/allowed . You can bring bags, but no larger than 12” x 12” x 6.” Collapsible lawn chairs, blankets and umbrellas are allowed, but no outside food and water. You can, however, bring an empty refillable water bottle as long as it’s not glass. Of course, no weapons are allowed inside, but neither are footballs, frisbees or drones.
Hydrate and stock up on sunscreen
As mentioned above, you can bring your own non-glass, empty, refillable water bottles, cups, or containers. Take advantage of this and the free water filling stations, because as all Floridians know, it will get hot out there even at night. And water is key for not just survival and comfort but also avoiding a hangover the next day. And, of course, lather yourself up with sunscreen, before and during the festivities.
Train for the marathon between stages
It’s always good to be in shape, but if you’re looking for another reason to get fit, it could be to make sure you don’t miss a second of live music at SunFest 2023. The festival takes up a lot of ground and the organizers ensured music is always playing on one of the two stages. So, if you want to see Ziggy Marley play his reggae on the Ford Stage from 3:30 to 5 p.m., but don’t want to miss a second of Vibes Farm on the Ideal Nutrition Stage starting promptly at 5 p.m., you better be in running shape. You can check the full musical schedule at www.sunfest.com/schedule.
