Fresh from its landmark transition to become the UK’s first employee-owned festival, Shambala Festival has shared a significant new wave of programming for its 2026 edition, featuring over 80 new artists including Paranoid London, Luke Vibert, K-Lone and Om Unit, plus blockbuster speakers such as Zack Polanski and a UK exclusive from world-leading laboratory, Cern Festival Programme & Big Bang Collective.
The newly announced artists blend festival stalwarts with emerging underground talent, global roots voices and cutting-edge names from the worlds of dance and electronic music. They join an already expansive music billing – featuring the likes of Bob Vylan, Goat, BCUC, Los Bitchos, Hollie Cook, The Selecter and Orchestra Baobab.
Stylistically diverse new additions include acid house heroes Paranoid London, acclaimed Welsh harpist Catrin Finch, London up-and-comer Summer Pearl, Egyptian-Australian multi-instrumentalist Joseph Tawadros, UK-Ghanaian duo Mina & Bryte, Birmingham’s “post-apocalyptic party band” Diddy Sweg, and vintage-tinged festival favourites Electric Swing Circus.
A renowned late-night haunt, Shambala’s Enchanted Woods are set to rumble with DJ sets from genre-defying collective Ishmael Ensemble, afro-latin bass DJ Cal Jader, K-LONE (Wisdom Teeth), techno pioneer Luke Vibert and Bristol-based electronic legend Om Unit.
The 2026 edition also places a spotlight on co-curation and community, featuring a Decolonise Festival takeover with Bona Rays and steel. at the Rebel Soul venue, as well as the Ladies Bathroom Songwriters Takeover at the Hertz So Good youth-led venue.
Other ones to watch include Drag Syndrome – an internationally acclaimed drag collective, featuring fierce and brilliant artists with Down syndrome – and Vespa Cougourdon Ourchestra, who promise a wild, anarchic and intoxicating show – complete with homemade gourd instruments.
True to Shambala’s radical roots, its 2026 Talks & Speakers offering is designed to fire up hearts, minds and spirits – with much of this year’s programme taking a close look at the current political landscape through a decidedly hopeful lens. Transition movement co-founder Rob Hopkins explores How To Fall in Love With the Future, while Green Party leader Zack Polanski hosts a live edition of his Bold Politics podcast.
Other highlights include a call to resistance from Led by Donkeys, who return after a packed-out talk in 2025, and a provocative look at sustainable eating in Deer Oh Deer Now What? – which picks up where the meat-free festival’s recent audience debate about introducing wild venison left off.
In a major coup for 2026, the CERN Festival Programme and the Big Bang Collective also arrive at Shambala for a UK festival exclusive. This residency from the world-leading laboratory brings of-the-moment science and tech topics to the heart of the festival with four sessions across the weekend.
Following last year’s sell-out show, tickets for 2026 are moving fast. Tier 1 and 2 tickets are now completely sold out across Adult, Elders and Young Adult ticket types, with limited Tier 3 Adult, Young Adult and Green Traveller tickets remaining.
To widen accessibility, Shambala has recently introduced new payment plans, allowing fans to secure tickets for an initial payment of under £30, with the remaining balance spread across weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments until the summer.
With its genre-defying line-up, commitment to inspiring positive change and deep-rooted community, 2026 is shaping up to be another unforgettable chapter in Shambala’s story.
For tickets, full line-up details and information, visit: https://www.shambalafestival.org/buy-tickets/
