Gala 2026 first artists and presale

London’s acclaimed electronic music festival Gala has unveiled the first wave of artists for its 2026 edition, set to return to Peckham Rye Park over the bank holiday weekend of May 22-24. Presale registration is now open, with tickets starting at £42.50 plus booking fees available from Friday, October 31.

Under the theme “The Floor Is Ours,” Gala emphasises its community-driven ethos as one of London’s last independent festivals, resisting commercialisation in dance music culture. Highlights include a rare back-to-back-to-back set from Palms Trax, Antal and Hunee, alongside returning acts like Benji B & Judah, Chaos In The CBD, Call Super and Moxie. Debut performances feature house legend Lil Louis, dubstep pioneer Mala and a live set from Steffi & Virginia.

The festival spans three days, each focusing on distinct aspects of club culture. Friday dives into bass-heavy sounds with takeovers from Deviation by Benji B & Judah, dh2 from Dirty Hit, HVYWGHT and NTS radio. Saturday ramps up club energy with Club Are, Refuge Worldwide and Peach’s Dreamland making its festival debut in The Pleasure Dome. Sunday closes with Rush Hour from Amsterdam, Moxie’s On Loop and Lil Louis’s Chicago house influence.

Presale tickets go on sale this Friday via the official registration link, offering early access to the event in Peckham Rye. Organisers stress the festival’s commitment to shared ownership, celebrating attendees and underground curators who shape its vibe. Full programming will expand on these initial reveals, promising forward-thinking selectors and vital collectives.

Gala has built strong ties with influential underground partners, including Peach’s Dreamland project, which fosters intimacy on dancefloors. “Very happy to be working with Gala this year to bring Dreamland to the dome on Saturday,” Peach said. “Dreamland is a new project which acts as a space for intimacy and deeper connection on dancefloors and beyond. Despite being a large festival, Gala embodies the same ethos and energy as Dreamland, and the partnership feels both organic and exciting.”

The initial artist lineup blends cult heroes and newcomers, ensuring a diverse electronic music experience. Additional details on logistics, such as stage setups and accessibility, will follow closer to the event.