Women have revealed the things they worry about navigating most at a festival — with bathroom, sweat, and period-related needs featuring in the top 10.
In the lead-up to the first weekend of Coachella and as festival season officially gets underway, a poll of 2,000 U.S. women who have attended a music festival found excess sweating from being too hot (35 percent) also ranked among the top challenges.
While body odor (24 percent) and being on their period or getting it unexpectedly also featured highly (19 percent).
Not being able to look or feel fresh throughout the day (17 percent) also stood out, with a further 13 percent sharing having to change a pad or tampon on-site as something they don’t look forward to.
But above all, access to a clean and sanitary restroom ranked as the top priority, according to more than half (56 percent) of female festival-goers.
The research was commissioned by Always and Secret, who in response have partnered with Coachella to introduce The Refresh Room – a reimagined, 30×30 restroom experience that transforms the standard porta-potty into a VIP-like, confidence-first ‘Porta-Party’.
Designed in collaboration with the festival, The Refresh Room is grounded in real insights from women, bringing their top priorities for the festival bathroom experience to life – while also helping them stay protected from period leaks, sweat, and odor across both festival weekends.
The elevated space will feature the amenities women say matter most, including air conditioning (52 percent), hand sanitizer (51percent), as well as hand towels and access to water or a beverage fountain (37 percent) – all topping the list.
Additional sought-after features that have been added to create the dream festival restroom for women include complimentary deodorant (35 percent), period products (25 percent), phone charging stations (28 percent), and bag hooks (25 percent).
Even more elevated touches have been granted, with women highlighting a desire for a perfume bar (19 percent), mood lighting with music (8 percent), and a restroom attendant (7 percent).
Ultimately, the research highlights that beyond functionality, the bathroom remains an important cultural space for women at festivals.
It’s where moments of connection, confidence resets, and shared rituals happen – a space that, even in the middle of a high-energy event, continues to hold a unique place in girlhood.
A spokeswoman for Always and Secret said: “We know that when women feel comfortable and confident, they’re able to fully enjoy and be present in those unforgettable festival moments.
“That’s why we’ve partnered with Coachella to create The Refresh Room – a space designed to support women in those small but meaningful ways throughout the day.
“By prioritizing comfort, cleanliness, and thoughtful details, we have an opportunity to elevate the festival experience even further.
“Creating spaces where women can reset, reconnect, and step back out feeling refreshed and their best, no matter where they are in their cycle or how long they’ve been dancing.”
The research also highlighted the everyday rituals or products women pack to help them stay fresh and prepared throughout festival season, with more than half saying they prioritize wet wipes (58 percent) and deodorant (51 percent).
And likely because more than two-thirds (64 percent) said their experience can be impacted when they have their period at a festival or event, it’s no wonder a further 62 percent would pack extra personal care items when attending an outdoor event during their period.
While 55 per cent would ensure they have extra underwear.
And of those who took part in the study, 55 percent said they would plan their outfits accordingly if they anticipated being on their period at a music festival, such as covering up more or not wearing white.
Top 10 Things Women Worry About at a Festival:
1. Access to a clean and sanitary toilet or shower (56 percent)
2. Expensive food/drink (56 percent)
3. Excessive sweating from being too hot (35 percent)
4. Not having phone signal or being able to charge a phone (27 percent)
5. Body odor (24 percent)
6. Noise levels/volume (22 percent)
7. Being on their period or getting it unexpectedly (19 percent)
8. Painful feet/blisters (18 percent)
9. Not looking or feeling fresh (17 percent)
10. Changing a tampon or pad (13 percent)
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