Shambala is a celebration of creativity, sustainability, and 25 years of community spirit. This blog breaks down what makes it unique, from the eco-conscious ethos to an exciting line-up and inclusive access through Tickets for Good.
Shambala isn’t your average festival. Alongside 14 stages and a diverse line-up, it stands out for its commitment to sustainability. The entire event is meat-free, plastic-free, and powered by renewable energy – all part of a wider focus on creativity, community, and making festivals more accessible.
This summer, Shambala is back from 21st to 24th August, returning to its hidden countryside location in Northamptonshire to celebrate its 25th anniversary. If you’re thinking about going for the first time or returning after a break, this blog will cover what you can expect!
Shambala began as a small gathering of friends, just 100 people and a farmer’s trailer for a stage. Two and a half decades later, it’s grown into one of the UK’s most respected independent festivals, all while staying true to its roots.
It’s still run by the same close-knit team, and the spirit of those early days lives on: DIY creativity, community focus, and a drive to challenge what festivals can be. 2025 marks Shambala’s 25th anniversary, and they’re planning to celebrate it in style with new ideas, programming, and plenty of surprises.
As co-founder Chris Johnson puts it:
“We started as a bunch of 100 mates in a field, with a farmer’s trailer for a stage. It's been an amazing journey and life experience – a privilege to be part of a radical community who know how to have a wild time and stand up for what matters in this crazy world. This year we will celebrate 25 years in style, with stacks of exciting changes. Expect an adventure.”
Shambala doesn’t chase headline names, it creates a well-rounded programme of music and arts from all over the world. And this year’s line-up is no exception.
Highlights for 2025 include:
You can also expect spoken word from Lemn Sissay and Vanessa Kisuule, political satire from Led By Donkeys, and a powerful disability-positive cabaret hosted by Touretteshero.
Shambala is one of the most environmentally conscious festivals in the UK, and possibly the world. Over the years, as a festival it has:
The aim isn’t just to do less harm – it’s to have a positive impact. From composting food waste to rethinking supply chains, Shambala is working towards a fully regenerative model.
You won’t see big brand sponsorships or greenwashing here. The focus is on creating a temporary society that reflects a more sustainable future and giving everyone the tools to take some of that thinking home.
If you’re into the details, they publish all of their data and plans via an interactive impact report and green roadmap.
Shambala knows that for many people, a weekend festival is financially out of reach, even when tickets are affordable. Travel, food, and equipment all adds up! That’s where their Pay It Forward: Share The Love initiative comes in.
Since launching in 2022, the festival community has raised over £43,000 to help people on low incomes attend – covering tickets, transport, camping gear and food. Donations are collected when people buy their own tickets, at festival bars, or via the website year-round.
We’re proud to partner with Shambala through this scheme at Tickets for Good, giving cost-of-living payment recipients on our Ticket Bank platform the chance to attend via a ballot – with tickets available for their household.
Enter the ballot now for a chance to join Shambala Festival 2025 with your family. 👉
Becka Whitely, Shambala’s Marcomms Director, said:
“Tickets for Good have been instrumental in the ongoing success of our Pay It Forwards: Share The Love initiative. Their system allows us to manage the process in a way that is both fair, and simple for the applicants and ourselves. Everybody deserves access to arts and culture, and we're proud of the work we have done with TFG to make our festival more inclusive.”
And if you’re in a position to help someone else get there, you can donate to the Pay It Forward fund here. Every pound helps.
Whether you’re coming back for your tenth year or thinking about going for the first time, Shambala 2025 is shaping up to be something special. A 25th anniversary celebration with a purpose – full of energy, colour, and care!