Shambala Festival has unveiled the final wave of its 2026 line-up, adding over 260 live acts, DJs, workshops and interactive events to complete what organisers are calling the festival’s biggest and boldest programme to date. Taking place from 27 to 30 August at Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens in Northamptonshire, the festival now boasts over 500 artists and 500 events across 35 unique venues.
The latest additions span a wide range of sounds. From the infectious Afrobeat grooves of Dele Sosimi and the soulful sounds of Aziza Jaye to sonic futurist Daisy Moon and rising electronic producer Gallegos, the new names bring plenty of dancefloor energy and global roots spirit to the bill. The electronic offering is further boosted by Jinx in Dub, The Glitter Bosher, Alfresco Disco DJs, Satsuma Sisters and Fizzy Gillespie ft. Too Many T’s, plus a Dance Against Racism Takeover bringing left-field techno, breaks, house and dembow from Somatic, and house, dub, jungle and dubstep from Annida.
The additions complete a weekend programme that already features politically charged punk from Bob Vylan (who returned to Shambala in 2024 after a popular set), sun-drenched reggae from Hollie Cook, psychedelic chaos courtesy of Goat, legendary Senegalese sounds from Orchestra Baobab, and late-night electronic excursions from Paranoid London, Luke Vibert and Om Unit. The second wave of programming, announced in April, also confirmed a UK festival exclusive residency from CERN, bringing cutting-edge science sessions to the heart of the festival for the very first time.
A significant spoken word and poetry programme has also been confirmed. Leading the charge is multi-award-winning comedian, author and broadcaster Robin Ince, joined by Mark Grist and Kid Anansi. A showcase of Forward Prize-winning wordsmiths includes Toby Champion, Michael Mullen and Nafeesa Hamid, while a dedicated Deaf Poetry Showcase will feature BSL Poet Laureate Ishtiaq Hussain and Zoë McWhinney. The broader talks programme features Green Party leader Zack Polanski and political provocateurs Led By Donkeys among its highlights.
Beyond the music and spoken word, a new raft of interactive events has been unveiled for 2026. Festival-goers can take part in the Shambala Flashmob, Extreme Musical Statues, Power Ballad Yoga, Tia’s Twerkshop, Mass Musical Benches and a Bob Ross-Off. Those feeling competitive can also submit team applications online to take part in the festival’s legendary Shambolympics tournament.
Tickets are moving fast following last year’s sell-out event. Tier 1 and Tier 2 tickets are now completely sold out across Adult, Elders and Young Adult categories, with only limited Tier 3 Adult, Young Adult and Green Traveller tickets remaining. Monthly payment plans remain available on all adult ticket types until 23:59 on Friday 5 June, with fortnightly and weekly instalment options also available.
The 2026 festival arrives at a landmark moment for the organisation. In April, Shambala became the UK’s first employee-owned festival, after the original five co-founders ceded ownership to Kambe Events’ employees through an Employee Ownership Trust. The move follows a string of major industry accolades, including Independent Festival of the Year, Medium Festival of the Year and the Sarah Nulty Community Impact Award at the UK Festival Awards 2025, as well as Best Independent Festival at the Access All Areas awards.
New acts added for 2026 include (A to Z): 25 Years of Jam Jah Sound ft YT and Myki Tuff, Agent_k, Akabu Queens, Akolá Tambo, Ålesund, Alfresco Disco DJs, An Dannsa Dub, Annida, Annida b2b Somatic (Dance Against Racism), Annie Craic, Ashton, Atki2, Aviator Brass, Aziza Jaye, Bearpit Ceilidh, Bichon Frisé, Blister Pack, Concrete Lion, Cydney Brown, Daisy Moon, Dalba, Danny K, Dele Sosimi, DJ Business Collective, DJ Captain, DJ Costa, DJ Dunk & Roots Corner Friends, DJ Hiphoppapotamus, DJ John Stapleton, DJ Spear, DJ Will Shine, Duchess of Swing, Elijah Sun, Exposure, Fizzy Gillespie feat. Too Many T’s, FM Arlo, Fraser the Eraser, Gaba Ganoush, Gabby Gunn, Gallegos, George Ikamba, Haile Bless B2B Azania, Hard Ballet, Haze, Headfunkt Takeover (Disco Kaptin, Paul Lyons & Grandma Funk), Huns N’ Roses, Indekorosa, Jacksa, Jam Salad, Jinx In Dub, Jonesy Wales, Killabeatmaker, Kink182 Presents Finding Emo, Kom Kom (KKTA), Lady Scarlett, Last Chanchas, Le Soso, League of Rebelz, Leeem Quartet, Lips Sealed Club, Lowkonic, Luna Kali, Madame Electrifie, Mahogany Gas Pipes, Mazza, Medis, Milly, Bex & Wonka, Minimal Faff, Minirig DJs, Mr Vast, Nana Funk, Nymfro, Oswald Slain, Papa Moomin, Pauly (Soulworks), Pete Not Bombs, Plump DJs, Poelei, Queen Bee, Queen of Pressure, RACH B2B SHARD (Spotlight), Ras Addis, Rogue Fader, Ruth Royall, Satsuma Sisters, Shaebay, Shapes DJs, Sky Lion, Slacky Ranks, Sons of Solomon, Soul of Man, SPICYIVY, Stealing Sheep Club Set, Stormy J, Sufi Rebel, Suma B2B Lilophilia, Sweat The System, Synthia, That’s It, The Glitter Bosher, The Power of Loud: Fighting Fascism with Bass, The Reflex Jam, Threshold, Thunda Banton, Tonnau Soundsystem, Trad Folkin’ Rave B2B, Turnt Up Takeover, Waifs & Strays, Wake Up Music and Movement, Weeble, WILYAM and Zara Hudson-Kozdoj.
For tickets, the full line-up and further information, visit shambalafestival.org/buy-tickets.
Image credits: George Harrison
In this article: Shambala Festival, Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire, Dele Sosimi, Too Many T’s, Bob Vylan, Hollie Cook, Orchestra Baobab, Luke Vibert, Om Unit, CERN, Robin Ince, Mark Grist, Zack Polanski, Led By Donkeys, UK Festival Awards, Access All Areas, Employee Ownership Trust. Generated by Wikidata Schema Link Builder.
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