It's 5 a.m., you're halfway to the feis, and someone in the back seat says, "Mom… where's my sock glue?" ☘️ Every dance parent has lived that moment. This feis bag checklist is here so you only live it once.
Whether it's your dancer's very first feis or you're heading into Oireachtas season, use this list the night before. Pack it, check it off, and get some sleep.
☘️ Download the Free Printable Checklist (PDF)
1. Costume & Shoes
- ☐ School costume or solo dress, in a garment bag
- ☐ Hard shoes (jig shoes)
- ☐ Soft shoes (ghillies or reel shoes)
- ☐ Poodle socks, plus a spare pair
- ☐ Sock glue
- ☐ Electrical tape or shoe straps for hard shoes and ghillie laces
- ☐ A shoe bag, so sweaty shoes stay away from the costume
Feis bag tip: our Reel Fresh Smell-Proof Shoe Bag keeps shoe smell out of the bag, the car and the hotel room. From $24.99.
2. Hair, Wig & Headpiece
- ☐ Wig or bun wig
- ☐ Bobby pins and hair ties (pack double what you think you need)
- ☐ Hair net
- ☐ Hairspray
- ☐ Headband, tiara or headpiece
- ☐ Brush and comb
3. Makeup & Tan (if your dancer's age group allows it)
Rules on makeup and tan vary by age and region, so check with your teacher before you pack these.
- ☐ Makeup and makeup wipes
- ☐ Tan, plus a dark towel or old T-shirt to protect clothes
- ☐ Lip color and touch-up kit
4. Competition Must-Haves
- ☐ Competitor number (or registration confirmation, so you can pick it up)
- ☐ Number clips or safety pins
- ☐ Feis schedule and syllabus, printed or saved on your phone
- ☐ Sharpie and pen
5. Quick-Fix & First-Aid Kit
- ☐ Blister bandages and moleskin
- ☐ Pain reliever and any medications your dancer needs
- ☐ Small sewing kit and safety pins
- ☐ Spare buckle or strap for hard shoes
- ☐ Stain remover pen
6. Warm-Ups & Comfort
- ☐ Cover-up jacket or zip hoodie (to keep the costume clean and dancers warm)
- ☐ Leggings or sweatpants
- ☐ Slip-on shoes or slides for walking around the venue
- ☐ Water bottle
- ☐ Snacks that won't stain a costume (crackers, pretzels, granola bars)
- ☐ Something to pass the time: a book, cards or headphones
Feis bag tip: you can never have too many black leggings. Our Varsity ID Leggings come in youth and adult sizes. From $19.99.
7. The Dance Parent Kit
- ☐ Cash for admission, parking, vendors and raffles
- ☐ Phone charger or power bank
- ☐ Coffee (non-negotiable)
- ☐ Layers, since venues are often freezing or boiling
- ☐ A tote for medals, sashes and the things that end up in your hands all day
Feis bag tip: the Feis Day Canvas Bag keeps keys, water bottles and wallets from sinking to the bottom of a giant dance bag. $24.99. Need a cheap extra tote for medals? Try the Make Your Own Luck Tote, $6.99.
3 Habits That Save Every Feis Morning
- Pack the night before. Lay everything out and check it against this list.
- Label everything. Every ballroom is full of identical black shoes and bags.
- Keep a permanent "feis kit." Pins, glue, bandages and tape that live in the bag and never get unpacked.
Ready, Set, Feis ☘️
Save this page or screenshot the list, and you'll be the parent with the extra bobby pins everyone else is hunting for. Looking for the gear our dance families love most? Shop our Best Selling Irish Dance Gear.