Did You Know: You Get Free Drinking Water At Concerts & Events Overseas
By offering free water, organisers help attendees stay hydrated, reduce heat-related illnesses, and keep everyone in high spirits.
So, you're at a concert, singing your heart out and dancing like nobody's watching. Suddenly, you're parched, but buying a bottle of water costs almost as much as your ticket.
Sound familiar?
Well, if you've been to concerts or events overseas, you might have noticed something amazing — free drinking water!
Yes, in many countries, concert venues, music festivals, and large events provide free drinking water to attendees.
It's not just a nice perk; it's often done to keep people safe and hydrated, especially during long or outdoor events.
Image via EPA/The Standard
Here's the lowdown on how it works:
At many events overseas, you'll find water refill stations where you can top up your reusable water bottle for free
If you don't have one, some venues even provide cups of water. These stations are usually located near food stalls or rest areas, so they're easy to spot.
Why do they do this?
It's all about safety and health. Dancing in a crowd under hot lights can be exhausting, and dehydration can quickly ruin the fun (and your health).
By offering free water, organisers help attendees stay hydrated, reduce heat-related illnesses, and keep everyone in high spirits.
Image via Sunset Music Festival (Facebook)
Here are some examples:
Music festivals: Popular festivals like Glastonbury (UK), Coachella (US), and Tomorrowland (Belgium) are known for their water refill stations. Many even encourage attendees to bring reusable bottles.
Concert venues: Large arenas and stadiums often provide water fountains or cups of water during shows.
Cultural events: Food festivals, fairs, and even marathons in countries like Australia and the Netherlands often make free drinking water available.
This isn't just about keeping you hydrated — it's also about helping the planet. By offering water refill stations, event organisers reduce the need for single-use plastic bottles. So, you're staying eco-friendly while quenching your thirst!
Image via Beyond Wonderland
Wouldn't it be awesome if concerts and festivals in Malaysia adopted this idea?
Imagine going to Good Vibes Festival or a gig at Zepp KL and having free water stations. It's not just practical; it's a great way to enhance the overall experience while promoting sustainability.
Image via Beyond Wonderland
Right now, though, the situation is quite the opposite. Most festivals and events in Malaysia ban you from bringing your own water bottle inside the venue.
Once you're in, you're left with no choice but to buy bottled water that are often sold at exorbitant prices and puts safety at risk for event-goers.
It not only discourages people from staying hydrated but also feels unfair, especially during long, exhausting events.
Here's a thought: You need 4 to 6 litres of water to stay hydrated at a long event — that's about 12 bottles
Now, at the typical concert price of RM10 to RM12 per bottle, you're looking at RM120 to RM140 just to stay hydrated!
Imagine what you could do with that extra cash — grab some merch, splurge on better seats, or even save it for your next event.
So, let's make some noise — not just at concerts, but for better practices that make events safer, more enjoyable, and kinder to the planet.
This story is a personal opinion of the writer and does not reflect the position of SAYS.
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