Quick answer

Competition weekend packing checklist

When you have six numbers, three costume changes, and a 6am call time and you know from experience that something always gets forgotten.

Independent research, editorial standards here

Competition weekend packing checklist

Quick read

The order to pack it, how to organize by number instead of by category, and the backup list that saves the day when something goes wrong backstage.

Gear for this situation

Dance Bags For Competition WeekendsRead the reviewGarment Bags For Recital CostumesRead the reviewDance Tights For Recital And CompetitionRead the reviewDance Hair Kits And Bun SuppliesRead the reviewStage Makeup Kits For Dance CompetitionsRead the reviewPop-Up Changing Tents For Dance CompetitionsRead the review

What to do

  1. Four weeks out: pull costume sheet for every number: write down required shoes, tights shade, and hair/makeup spec before you shop anything.
  2. Two weeks out: verify shoe fit and check tights stock; reorder now if you are low: sellers with 2-day shipping still have Friday cutoffs.
  3. One week out: pack garment bags by number, not by category: costume, matching tights, and labeled shoes in one bag per number.
  4. Three days out: build the hair and makeup kit from the costume sheet; add backup quantity of high-failure items: bobby pins, lash glue, safety pins, a second pair of tights for the high-traffic numbers.
  5. Night before: load the main competition bag with water, snacks, sewing kit, phone charger, a sharpie, and the changing tent if your venue does open backstage.
  6. Morning of: open every garment bag and verify shoes before loading the car: a missing heel cap at the venue is not fixable.

Common mistakes

  • Do not pack by category: 'all shoes together, all tights together' is how one shoe ends up in a different bag from its costume at 7am.
  • Do not assume 'studio tan' tights are interchangeable across brands: confirm the required shade against the costume sheet, not just the label.
  • Do not skip the makeup and hair practice run at least once before event day: competition morning is not the time to find out the hairpiece does not hold.
  • Do not wait until Tuesday before a Saturday competition to order tights: confirm shipping cutoffs before you place the order.
  • Do not forget the changing tent if the venue uses open backstage: every competition parent who has needed one and not had one packs one every time after that.