Every year, thousands of students flock to deserts, parks, and stadiums to enjoy some of their favorite musical artists. But, it all comes at a price, and a very large one. From plane flights to outfits to tickets, popular music festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Outside Lands can cost attendees thousands of dollars. So many often question, is it all worth it?

I happen to be an avid music festival-goer myself and will rarely miss one, especially if it’s local. In my opinion, yes, festivals are usually — if not always — worth it. However, it’s important to consider a couple important factors.

First and probably the most obvious is the type of festival. If you only listen to rap, festivals like Rolling Loud or Day n Night might be more worth the investment of time and money. Take a look at the lineup and decide whether or not you actually would enjoy seeing more than ten of these artists live. If not, don’t bother spending your money.

Second, budget. For any festival, you will want to have any idea about how much you will spend on food, transportation, and other expenses, and start saving up. But generally, the experience of being in a crowd of people who all share the same vibes as you and being an arm’s length away from your favorite artist is priceless.

Third, fashion is a huge part of the culture of any festival. For example, “the Hudge” (Vanessa Hudgens) is a known icon of Coachella for wearing the most avante-garde, bohemian looks. However, these outfits come at a price, and a large one at that. So, it is important to make sure you factor this into your budget plan. Remember, don’t be afraid to try a crazy new look. That’s what festivals are for!

The general consensus is yes, music festivals are worth it. Some of the best memories I have are from festivals because they are simply so much fun. There are always going to be people who complain about being exhausted and constantly dripping with sweat, but it’s all part of the experience.