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Shambala Festival unveils major 2026 line-up with 80+ new acts and CERN takeover

Shambala Festival unveils major 2026 line-up with 80+ new acts and CERN takeover
Shambala Festival unveils major 2026 line-up with 80+ new acts and CERN takeover

Shambala Festival has revealed a major new wave of programming for its 2026 edition, adding more than 80 artists to an already expansive line-up alongside a bold programme of talks, activism and science.

Among the latest music additions are Paranoid London, Luke Vibert, K-Lone and Om Unit, joining a bill that spans electronic, global, folk and experimental sounds. Elsewhere, acts like Catrin Finch, Mina & Bryte and Electric Swing Circus reflect the festival’s genre-blurring approach.

Late-night favourite The Enchanted Woods will once again host a run of DJ sets, while new collaborations highlight Shambala’s emphasis on community and co-creation – including a Decolonise Festival takeover and a youth-led programme at the Hertz So Good stage.

Beyond music, the 2026 edition leans into politics, culture and ideas. Green Party leader Zack Polanski joins the speaker line-up, alongside campaign group Led by Donkeys and transition movement co-founder Rob Hopkins.

In a notable first for the festival, CERN Festival Programme and the Big Bang Collective will host a UK-exclusive residency, bringing science and technology discussions into the heart of the weekend with a series of live sessions.

The announcement follows Shambala’s recent transition to becoming the UK’s first employee-owned festival, marking a new chapter for the long-running Northamptonshire event.

With tickets already selling quickly, the 2026 edition is set to continue the festival’s reputation for combining music, creativity and social engagement in a distinctly offbeat setting.

The editorial unit
Photo: Lindsay Melbourne

For further information and future events, visit Shambala Festival’s website here.

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