Our favorite way to kick off summer: The Governor’s Ball Music Festival.

Gov Ball is taking place this weekend in NYC, and with three full days of star-studded lineups, this year’s festival is not one to miss. Like with all festivals, there are a few things you should know before you go. We’ve made a comprehensive guide for how to survive AND thrive this weekend in Flushing.

Know how to get there 

For the second year in a row, Governor’s Ball will be taking place outside of Citi Field in Flushing. To get there from the city or any Metro North stop, you can take the 7 Train to Mets/Willets Point or the Q48 bus, each $2.75. Ubers/taxis would also work.

Make a safety plan with your group  

If you are going to Gov Ball as a part of a group, make sure you all look at a map of the grounds before hand and agree upon a meeting spot should you guys lose each other ( it’s super easy to get lost at big festivals!). Make sure everyone also has a piece of paper with the phone numbers of your group written down and stored somewhere safe – you never know if your phone will have service or if you will lose it!

Dress accordingly  

We all want to wear the perfect festival outfit to Gov Ball, but remember that you also want to be comfortable enough to stand for hours on end. Think: cute sneakers or boots, pants or shorts with pockets, and maybe even a hat to keep you out of the sun.

Know what to bring  

Sure, this isn’t the desert like Coachella, but it’s still NYC in the summer. You can (and should) bring factory-sealed water bottles, which you can refill throughout the grounds at their water stations. You should also bring plenty of sunscreen to reapply throughout the day, portable phone chargers (you’ll thank yourself), and enough emergency cash to get you food and a taxi home if needed. Remember to also bring your I.D. and your vaccine card, or bring proof of a negative Covid test. You’ll need a clear bag or a small fanny pack.

Have a plan for which artists you want to see 

As great as it would be, it’s impossible to see every artist preforming at Gov Ball. Make a plan with your group before each individual day to create your own personal lineup – figure out who you want to see, what time they are on, and what stage they are preforming at.

VMAN recommends: Julia Wolf, Blu de Tiger, Between Friends, Jack Harlow, and Kid Cudi on Friday ; Valley, Peach Tree Rascals, Still Woozy, and Halsey on Saturday ; and Surf Curse, COIN, and J. Cole on Sunday.

Scope out the food scene  

While Gov Ball is obviously a music festival, there will be tons of incredible NYC food offerings to try, too. This year’s vendors include Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, Souvlaki GR, Milk & Cream Cereal Bar, Roberta’s Pizza, San Matteo Pizzeria e Cucina, Mac Truck, Doughnuttery, The Lobster Joint, and much more.