Shambala Festival 2026 – Northamptonshire, United Kingdom
Overview
Shambala Festival is a pioneering four-day creative explosion held annually over the August Bank Holiday weekend in the lush countryside of Northamptonshire. Renowned as a “playground for wild experimentation,” this fiercely independent event transcends the traditional music festival model by blending diverse global sounds with alternative education, workshops, and immersive art. Since its inception, Shambala has maintained a radical commitment to social responsibility and environmental sustainability, famously operating as a meat-and-fish-free event and running entirely on renewable energy.
The 2026 edition continues this legacy of “purposeful hedonism,” offering attendees a space to rediscover human connection and creative freedom. Spread across approximately forty venues, the festival grounds at Kelmarsh Hall are transformed into a vibrant utopia featuring everything from massive main stages and underground electronic beats to intimate poetry nooks and hidden woodland parties. It remains a family-friendly haven where the community spirit is as vital as the music, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and transformative experience for all who enter its gates.
Event Highlights
- Diverse Musical Landscape: The festival features an eclectic mix of underground electronic beats, psych-rock, punk-grime, and global rhythms, with 2026 headliners including Bob Vylan and Emma-Jean Thackray.
- Radical Sustainability: Shambala is an award-winning green leader, being 100% renewably powered, plastic-bottle free, and offering a fully vegetarian and vegan food experience across all vendors.
- Creative Venues: Attendees can explore roughly forty unique spaces, ranging from the Enchanted Woods packed with art installations to dedicated areas for politics, puppetry, and permaculture.
- Immersive Workshops: Beyond the music, the event offers a rich program of free yoga, meditation in the healing meadows, dance workshops, and a legendary Saturday night fancy dress parade.
Why Attend
Music lovers and cultural explorers should attend Shambala to experience a festival that prioritizes community and ethics over corporate backing. It is the ideal destination for families, eco-conscious travelers, and those seeking a “proper party” that doesn’t sacrifice safety or sustainability. Whether you are dancing until 5:00 AM to cutting-edge electronic sets or participating in a deep-dive discussion on social change, the festival provides a rare environment where people are encouraged to be their most authentic and silly selves.
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Furthermore, the festival is perfect for those who want to discover the best emerging grassroots artists alongside show-stopping heritage acts. Unlike many mainstream events with identical touring lineups, Shambala prides itself on a curated, unique program that celebrates global culture. By attending, you are not just buying a ticket to a concert; you are joining a collective movement aimed at proving that large-scale events can be kind to the planet while providing one of the most memorable weekends of the summer.
Date & Duration
- Event Timeline: The festival is scheduled to take place over four days, from August 27 to August 30, 2026.
- Operating Hours: Performances and activities run from the morning into the late night, with music on several stages continuing until approximately 5:00 AM.
Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.
Venue / Location
- City and Country: The event is located in Kelmarsh, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom.
- Venue: Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens, a historic countryside estate known for its stunning lakes and woodlands.
- Google Maps Address: Main Rd, Kelmarsh, Northampton NN6 9LY, United Kingdom.
Ticket Information
- Sales Channels: Tickets are sold exclusively online through the official Shambala website using their dedicated ethical ticket agent.
- Admission Type: All festival entry is sold as Weekend Tickets, which include access to the site and standard tent camping.
- Ticket Pricing: Adult tickets typically range from approximately $245 to $325 depending on the tier, with reduced Young Adult (18-25) and Elders (70+) tickets priced near $245.
- Special Discounts: A “Green Traveller” discount of approximately $50 is applied to those who book their travel (coach, train, shuttle, or cycling tour) alongside their festival entry.
- VIP Options: While Shambala avoids traditional “VIP” hierarchies, luxury pre-pitched accommodation like yurts and tipis can be booked separately for a premium glamping experience.
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Contact Information
- Email Contact: enquiries@shambalafestival.org
- Phone Support: +44 1604 686543 (Kelmarsh Hall General Inquiries)
- Official Website: https://www.shambalafestival.org/
- Social Media:
- http://www.facebook.com/ShambalaFestival
- https://www.instagram.com/shambalafest/
- https://www.youtube.com/@ShambalaFestival
- https://www.tiktok.com/@shambalafest
Getting There
- Nearest Airports: Birmingham Airport (BHX) is about 65 km away (~50 mins drive), while London Luton (LTN) is approximately 85 km away (~1 hour drive).
- Public Transport: Frequent shuttle buses run from Market Harborough and Long Buckby train stations directly to the festival gates on arrival and departure days.
- Taxi/Rideshare: Taxis from Market Harborough to Kelmarsh Hall cost roughly $25 to $40; attendees are encouraged to use the festival’s dedicated Liftshare community.
- Parking: Vehicle passes must be purchased in advance and include a carbon-balancing fee; parking is situated on-site, but walking is required to the camping areas.
- Other Access: Guided “Red Fox” cycling tours depart from major cities like London and Bristol, providing a fully supported ride to the festival and a ticket discount.
Accommodation Options
- Luxury Hotels: Rushton Hall Hotel & Spa (4-star, 10 km, historic manor with pool, ~$160-$280/night); Kettering Park Hotel & Spa (4-star, 14 km, high-end amenities ~$130-$220/night).
- Mid-Range Options: The Three Swans Hotel (4-star, 8 km, traditional coaching inn, ~$110-$180/night); Church Farm Lodge (4-star, 4 km, charming rural rooms ~$120-$170/night).
- Budget Stays: Premier Inn Northampton Town Centre (3-star, 19 km, reliable comfort ~$70-$120/night); Holiday Inn Express Kettering (3-star, 13 km, breakfast included ~$75-$130/night).
Reviews
- Atmosphere Quality: The vibe at Shambala is unlike any other UK festival because everyone is genuinely kind and looking out for each other.
- Food Experience: I am a meat-eater, but the vegetarian food here was so delicious and creative that I didn’t miss meat for a second.
- Production Value: The attention to detail in the hidden venues and art installations in the woods makes every walk through the site an adventure.
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FAQ's
Is Shambala Festival suitable for young children?
Shambala is widely regarded as one of the best family festivals in the UK, featuring a massive dedicated kids' field with workshops and play areas. Activities are designed to be engaging for all ages, and there are family-only camping zones to ensure a quieter environment for those with small children. Parents can feel secure knowing the festival maintains a very high standard of safety and a welcoming community atmosphere.
Can I bring my own alcohol and food into the festival arena?
Yes, Shambala allows you to bring your own food and a reasonable amount of alcohol into both the campsites and the main festival arenas. There are no internal checkpoints that confiscate snacks or drinks, which helps keep the weekend affordable for everyone. However, attendees are encouraged to support the festival's ethical bars and local food vendors as they are a key source of funding for the event.
What should I do if I am not a vegetarian or vegan?
The festival has been meat and fish-free since 2016 to reduce its carbon footprint, but the food on offer is diverse, featuring everything from "dirty" burgers to high-end global cuisine. If you truly cannot go without meat, you are permitted to bring your own to cook at your campsite, though most find the on-site options more than satisfying. The goal is to encourage people to try sustainable alternatives in a fun and delicious way.
How does the Green Traveller discount work for ticket holders?
To receive the approximately $50 discount, you must purchase a "Green Traveller" ticket and arrive via the Shambala Express coach, a train shuttle, or a cycling tour. Your ticket will be scanned upon arrival from these specific transport modes to validate the entry. If you arrive by car with this ticket type, you may be required to pay the difference at the gate to gain entry.
Are there facilities for disabled attendees at the Kelmarsh Hall site?
Shambala provides extensive accessibility support including a dedicated accessible campsite with power for medical equipment and accessible toilets and showers. There are viewing platforms at all major stages and a team of stewards available to assist with navigation across the rural terrain. Attendees with specific needs can apply for a Personal Assistant ticket at no extra cost through the official website.
