Shambala Festival has dropped a major new wave of programming for 2026 — its first edition since becoming the UK’s first employee‑owned festival — and it’s a monster. More than 80 new artists join the bill, alongside heavyweight speakers, political fire‑starters and a UK‑exclusive residency from the world‑leading science laboratory CERN.
It’s a statement of intent from a festival already known for its boldness: a sprawling, genre‑defying mix of live music, underground electronics, global roots, radical ideas and community‑led creativity.
The new additions stretch across Shambala’s famously eclectic spectrum. Acid house renegades Paranoid London, techno pioneer Luke Vibert, and Bristol’s own Om Unit bring serious weight to the electronic offering, while Ishmael Ensemble step behind the decks for a rare DJ set.
Elsewhere, the festival’s global and experimental leanings shine through: acclaimed Welsh harpist Catrin Finch, Egyptian‑Australian multi‑instrumentalist Joseph Tawadros, rising London soul voice Summer Pearl, UK‑Ghanaian duo Mina & Bryte, and Birmingham’s self‑described “post‑apocalyptic party band” Diddy Sweg all join the fold. Vintage‑tinged favourites Electric Swing Circus return with their high‑octane carnival energy.
Shambala’s late‑night playground, The Enchanted Woods, looks set to erupt again, with sets from Cal Jader, K‑LONE, and more of the festival’s long‑standing electronic family.
Shambala’s 2026 edition leans heavily into co‑curation and grassroots creativity. Decolonise Festival take over Rebel Soul with Bona Rays and steel., while the Ladies Bathroom Songwriters crew host a youth‑led takeover at Hertz So Good.
Performance art remains as delightfully unpredictable as ever. Internationally acclaimed drag collective Drag Syndrome bring their fierce, joyful presence, while the anarchic Vespa Cougourdon Ourchestra promise a chaotic, gourd‑powered spectacle unlike anything else on the UK festival circuit.
True to its activist roots, Shambala’s 2026 Talks & Speakers programme is built to provoke, inspire and energise. Much of this year’s curation tackles the current political climate — but through a lens of optimism and collective possibility.
Highlights include:
Zack Polanski, Green Party leader, hosting a live edition of his Bold Politics podcast
Rob Hopkins, co‑founder of the Transition movement, exploring How To Fall in Love With the Future
Led By Donkeys, returning after a packed‑out 2025 appearance, with a call to resistance
A provocative session on sustainable eating, Deer Oh Deer Now What?, continuing the festival’s debate on wild venison and ethical food systems
And in a major coup, Shambala welcomes the CERN Festival Programme & Big Bang Collective for a UK‑exclusive residency — four sessions bringing cutting‑edge science and tech to the heart of the festival.
Following 2025’s sell‑out, demand is already high. Tier 1 and 2 tickets are gone across Adult, Elders and Young Adult categories, with limited Tier 3 and Green Traveller tickets still available.
To improve accessibility, Shambala has introduced new payment plans, allowing festival‑goers to secure their spot for under £30 upfront, with flexible instalments running into the summer.
With its blend of boundary‑pushing music, radical ideas, community‑driven programming and a newly employee‑owned future, Shambala 2026 is shaping up to be one of the festival’s most ambitious chapters yet.
New Music Additions A-Z
ADJ
Anna Ling
Anything but Becky
Arif Najak
Aviator Brass
Big Band of Boom
Bona Rays (part of Decolonise Festival takeover)
Broken Joe
C@ in the H@
Catrin Finch
Christy
Diddy Sweg
Divinus
Diz Undone: Love & Rage PA
DJ Cal Jader
DJ Chicha Morada
DJ Escape
Dj Kez b2b Dj Azure
Doikayt
Drag Syndrome
Dream Nails
Dr George
DRPS
Ekata
Electric Swing Circus
Emily Dust
Emma Lea and the Weird kids
FFSYTHO
Frenetic
George Bloomfield
George Powell
Gracie Samara
Heavy Beat Brass Band
Hong Kong Ping Pong
Huns 'N' Roses
Inwards
Ishmael Ensemble (DJ Set)
Jack Herer
Jay Dubz
Joseph Tawadros
K-LONE (Wisdom Teeth)
Kenny Ken
Kim Cosmic
Ladies Bathroom Songwriters Takeover
Lazy Jane
Loud Noises
Lowkonic
Luke Vibert
Maxxi Soundsystem
Mina & Bryte
Mistress Mo
Neally Furtado
Nick Maxwell
Nookie & Madcap & FiveAlive
O.
Old Hag
Om Unit
Ombie
Paranoid London
Phat Sam
Plant43
Plena Sound
Professor Elemental
PuttyRubber
Riesh Tafari
Romy Taylor
Sleep's Cousin
Spicy Ivy
Static Ella
steel. (part of Decolonise Festival takeover)
Suboptimal
Summer Pearl
Swingamajig Allstars
TaliAble
Tina Edwards (DJ)
The Daniel Wakeford Experience
Tom ESC
Tuxedo Junction
TVOD
Veronica Green
Vespa Cougourdon Ourchestra
Vytol B2B Kjah
ZOBOL - LIVE
Full line‑up details and tickets: shambalafestival.org/buy-tickets/