Dance competitions often mean long, exciting, and exhausting days filled with quick changes, nerves, performances, and unforgettable memories. With early call times and packed schedules, being organized can be the make or break difference between an enjoyable experience and stressful ordeal.
But help is here, with this competition essentials checklist to stay prepared, confident, and focused all weekend long.
Pack It All in a Performance Travel Bag
For full day or multi-day competitions, you'll have a lot to take with you including a number of costumes. A quality performance travel bag with a built-in garment rack will help you keep everything together, organized, and easy to access. There are two primary options:
Collapsible Competition Bags - these offer all the benefits of a dance travel bag, including a pop-up garment rack. But, in between competitions when you're not using it, they can be "collapsed" into a height of approximately 6" tall, making them much easier to store. These fit under your bed, in your closet, etc. Setup and takedown takes just 1-2 minutes, so this is a great option if you're short on space at home.
Non-collapsible Competition Bags - as the name suggests, these dance travel bags cannot be collapsed, and require ample storage space. On the flip-side, they're much easier to set up at competitions, and are also often a little more durable than collapsible competition bags.
Other than the pop-up garment rack that these bags offer, other great features of competition travel bags include:
• Accessory pockets to store things like your dance shoes, extra tights, makeup, hair pieces, etc.
• Insulated pocket to keep snacks or other refreshments chilled during the day.
• "D-rings" to secure your costumes in place during travel so they don't get wrinkled.
Also look for coordinating accessories to create a complete "mobile dressing room":
Garment Bags - available in long or short sizes as well as gusseted or non-gusseted, these are great for keeping your costumes protected and organized. The clear, see-through material also eliminates guesswork so you can instantly see what’s inside each bag. Gusseted garment bags are designed with a 3" side gusset, allowing the garment bag to expand to hold multiple costumes at once - perfect for busy competition days! Most garment bags also have pockets to store your accessories such as tights, hair pieces, etc.
Privacy Curtains - dressing rooms at competitions are often large spaces full of dozens if not hundreds of dancers. Privacy curtains and privacy systems are great for sectioning off a little bit of space for yourself, so you have some privacy during costume changes.
Our favorite brands of competition travel bags include Backstage, Ovation Gear, and Rac n Roll.
Hair & Makeup Must-Haves
From flawless buns to performance-ready makeup, these items keep dancers polished and ready to shine on stage:
Cosmetic Bags/Cases - competition makeup is part of the fun, and storing your brushes, palettes, and other cosmetics in a bag or case makes it so much easier. These usually feature adjustable dividers, clear storage pockets, built-in mirrors, and even rechargeable LED lights so you can still see yourself in even the darkest of areas.
Folding Mirror - available in a variety of sizes, these can either hang from a garment rack or door hook or sit on a tabletop. When not in use, they can fold compactly and easily fit into your performance bag.
Hair Kit - a complete kit includes bobby pins, hair pins, hairnets, and hair ties. Add a bun builder for extra hold if needed.
Bobby Pin Holder - keep your bobby pins from exploding everywhere with magnetic bobby pin holder. The strong magnet keeps pins together so they’re ready when you need them.
Hair Spray - essential for keeping every hairstyle secure under stage lights.
Makeup Wipes or Reusable Makeup Eraser - these are perfect for touch-ups, removing smudges, or taking off all your performance makeup at the end of the day.
Performance Lashes - always competition-ready and always easy to use, look for eyelashes that are reusable.
Warmups
Stay warm between routines to keep your muscles safer. The most practical items at competitions include:
Booties/Slippers - super comfortable, and a great way to keep your feet and ankles warm (and dance shoes cleaner!).
Hoodies/Jackets/Sweaters - easy to take on and off, these are a great option to keep warm when you might not be wearing a studio uniform jacket.
Warmup Pants/Shorts - not only are these great for keeping your legs warm, these also act as terrific coverups when walking around the competition venue.
Floor Rosin
You never know what the floors will be like at competitions, so we always recommend taking some Rosin Spray with you. These are easy to apply, increase traction, and help protect you when dancing on slippery floors.
Pack Backups (Just in Case!)
Some items are worth doubling up on. You never know what might rip, disappear, or break! Be sure to pack extras of:
• Lashes
• Earrings
• Clear Straps
• Dance Tights
Recovery & Self-Care Essentials
Long competition days take a toll on dancers’ bodies. These items help keep muscles happy and feet protected:
Muscle Gel – Soothes sore muscles after a long day
Blister Pads – protect your toes and feet during extra long days of dancing
Muscle Rollers – Deep tissue massage to relieve soreness and improve circulation
Massage Ball or Foot Massage Kit – Everything dancers need to relax and stretch tired feet
Extra Items That Make the Weekend Easier
These small additions can save the day:
Sewing Kit
Butt Glue
Costume Spray
Backstage Lifesaver: The Covet Fix-It Kit
The Covet Dance Backstage Fix-It Kit is the ultimate competition survival set. From a Mend-It Sewing Kit for quick costume repairs to Covet Rosin Spray and a Bobby Pin Buddy Bracelet (because bobby pins always disappear), this kit covers it all. Whether it’s a stain, a flyaway, or a loose strap, this kit truly saves the day.
Dance competition weekends are busy, emotional, and unforgettable. Being prepared with the right essentials allows dancers (and parents!) to focus on what really matters: performing their best and enjoying every moment.
Good luck at your next competition, and above all - enjoy the experience!