Fresh from being crowned International Festival of the Year at the UK Festival Awards 2025, the legendary Electric Castle returns in 2026 with its most ambitious lineup yet, revealed today.
The 24hr Transylvanian festival phenomenon is gearing up for a huge edition with a wide array of music across 10 stages. Beyond the unmissable headline performances by global superstars The Cure, Twenty One Pilots, Teddy Swims and Chase & Status, over 200 artists have been announced today, spanning the best in alternative, electronic, and household names from around the world. All roads lead to Bánffy Castle in Transylvania, from 16-19th July.
A true bucket-list destination, Electric Castle offers far more than just music. Each summer, the grounds transform into a vibrant utopia where one of the world’s most welcoming festival communities gathers to celebrate day and night against a truly magical backdrop. As the festival continues to evolve around the historic 16th-century grounds, Electric Castle looks ahead to a new era of unforgettable shows, cementing its place as Europe’s most adventurous and immersive festival experience in the heart of Transylvania.
Leading the 2026 lineup are true icons of alternative music, The Cure, bringing their timeless catalogue and atmospheric live show to the castle grounds for the first time. Joining them are the Grammy-winning American duo Twenty One Pilots, whose explosive performances and genre-blurring sound have made them one of the defining acts of modern rock. Soul powerhouse Teddy Swims will deliver his deeply emotional vocals and chart-topping hits, while drum & bass pioneers Chase & Status return again for a high-octane DJ set at the Castle.
From legendary alternative icons and stadium-sized rock acts to underground rap, cutting-edge electronic producers and rising indie stars, Electric Castle’s lineup reflects the festival’s reputation for bringing together a unique collision of styles and sounds in one unforgettable setting.
British rock favourites Nothing But Thieves join the bill with their soaring anthems and electrifying stage presence. Now headlining festivals in the UK, indie sensations Wet Leg make their first live appearance in Romania, while cult icons Yung Lean and Bladee promise a highly anticipated set.
A diverse mix of boundary-pushing artists continues to define Electric Castle’s forward-thinking spirit. Irish rap collective Kneecap bring their fearless political energy, while British punk-poets Sleaford Mods promise a raw and uncompromising performance. Fans can also look forward to powerful sets from Maverick Sabre and Eliza Rose, disco moments from SG Lewis, whilst diving into sets from rising rock voices like Kid Kapichi and Just Mustard.
The lineup also welcomes a unique appearance from Hollywood star Keanu Reeves on bass duties for alt rock band Dogstar, alongside reggae and dub icons Dub Pistols and Congo NattyfeaturingBlackout JA, leading amapiano DJs Skyla Tylaa and Rosey Gold, and TruThoughts producer Quantic.
Electronic fans can expect more euphoric moments from techno visionary ANNA, melodic house favourite Kölsch, and legendary duo Deep Dish. Meanwhile, bass music will be represented in full force by dubstep titan Subtronics and drum & bass heavyweight Wilkinson. Brazilian house phenomenon Mochakk brings one of the most talked-about DJ performances in global dance music. Completing this lineup announcement are exciting rising acts including Balu Brigada, Kilimanjaro and House of Protection.
Tudor Costinaș, Head of Communications at Electric Castle said: “We are so excited to finally share the full line-up for Electric Castle 2026. Every year we try to build a lineup that feels genuinely wide-ranging, bringing together huge global names alongside artists people might be discovering for the first time, and we feel this is a fantastic example of just that. Electric Castle is always filled with interesting twists and turns, fun surprises and good times together. We can’t wait to meet everyone back at the castle again for our 12th edition this summer.”
Beyond the music, Electric Castle remains one of Europe’s most immersive festival experiences. From hot air balloon rides to fashion markets and lakeside chill-out spots to sports arenas, alongside film screenings, fine dining and thought-provoking EC Talks, the castle grounds transform into a vibrant cultural playground. Fans can explore forest hideaways, relax at the eco-friendly EC Village, or keep dancing until sunrise – Electric Castle is one of the few places in Europe where the party truly never stops.
EC12 is shaping up to be another unforgettable chapter in the festival’s story, a global meeting point for music lovers, creatives and explorers alike.
Electric Castle takes place at Bánffy Castle, Romania, between 16-19th July 2026. Tickets are available to buy here: www.electriccastle.ro
