Festival Information
East Midlands
Overview
Shambala Festival is an annual four-day music and arts event held in Northamptonshire, England, during the August Bank Holiday weekend. Established in 2000, this independent festival has grown from humble beginnings to become a beloved gathering with a daily capacity of 15,000 attendees. Shambala offers a diverse array of entertainment, including over 200 musical acts, world-class cabaret, workshops, comedy, talks, and interactive performances.
The festival prides itself on being 100% sponsorship-free and committed to sustainability. Shambala's guiding principles emphasise community, creativity, and environmental consciousness, creating a unique atmosphere that blends celebration with social and ecological awareness. The exact location is kept secret until ticket purchase, adding an element of mystery to this popular event that consistently sells out year after year.
Location
Shambala Festival takes place at: Northamptonshire, somewhere between Northampton and Leicester.
Shambala Festival takes place on a secret country estate in Northamptonshire. The exact location is revealed after ticket purchase.
There are multiple ways of getting to Shambala. Biofuel shuttle bus link, Shambala Express coach, car sharing schemes, or even guided cycling trips from London, Birmingham, Bristol, and Sheffield!
Tickets
Basic Price Range: £70 - £300
Tickets to Shambala Festival can be purchased via Humanitix. You can also access tickets via the Shambala homepage.
Options include:
- Adult Weekend
- Teen Weekend (13 - 17yrs)
- Child Weekend (5 - 12yrs)
- U5's - FREE (0 - 4yrs)
Vehicle Options:
- Car Pass (parking for the full weekend)
- Camper Van Pass
- Large Camper Van Pass
- Family Field Camper (up to 6m)
- Large Family Camper (6m - 8m)
- Motorcycle Pass
Transport Tickets:
- Coach Ticket
- Rail Shuttle Bus
- Cycle Tour Ticket
Glamping Options:
See Accommodation section below.
Accommodation
Shambala Festival is a camping festival, please bring your own equipment.
Campsite Options:
- General camping: all areas are reasonably flat.
- Luxury Camping
- Pre-pitched Tent (Camplight)
Food:
Shambala is meat and fish free! While you can bring your own meat and fish, all the food vendors are either vegan or vegetarian, no meat or fish options available on-site. Find out more.
Camp Fires
Small campfires are permitted — a rare treat at UK festivals. You can purchase sustainable firewood at the festival. There are some regulations however:
- Fires must be off the ground (i.e. in a fire-wok);
- Fires must be 2m from any tent and 3m from any vehicle;
- Fires must be attended at all times and kept well away from gas canisters and cookers;
- Campsite Stewards will put out any fires which are not off the ground.
Packing Checklist:
Ensure you're fully prepared for your festival adventure with our Essential Packing Checklist.
Accessibility
Shambala is deeply committed to Inclusivity and Accessibility. They have a dedicated accessibility team, email: accessibility@shambalafestival.org, if you have any concerns or queries. For further information and forms for booking particular services, please visit Shambala's Accessibility Page.
