One of the UK’s best music festivals is now employee-owned

When you’re soaking up some good tunes in the sun, few things kill the vibe quite like a creeping corporate presence – the feeling that someone, somewhere is trying to sell you something. 

However, this annual celebration of community-led arts and music is offering a welcome escape from advert overload. In a sea of conglomerate-owned festivals, Shambala is leaving its future to the people who bring it all together: the employees. 

Held in Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens in Northamptonshire, the four-day festival is a staple on Time Out’s list of the best music festivals in the UK. Shambala will transition to an Employee Ownership Trust, cementing its future as an independent event so that the team on the ground shares directly in its success. Founded by a group of music-enthused students in the late ’90s, Shambala’s commitment to championing indie artists has lived on for a quarter century, and its ethos has yet to dwindle.

‘All of us at Shambala have an emotional stake in what we have built over 25 years; now everyone has an ownership stake too,’ said co-founder Chris Johnson. ‘We would be nothing without our people, and they deserve to carry on the Shambala legacy as beneficiaries.’

Shambala takes place over the August bank holiday each year. Visitors can indulge in the scenic countryside and winding lakes between catching live performances, which span pretty much every genre. From funk and soul to drum and bass and underground techno, there’s something for everyone at Shambala.

The diverse line-up in 2026 includes London double-act Bob Vylan as well as a special edition of Bold Politics Live (Zack Polanski’s live podcast show). While Shambala is family-friendly, the events run until 5am every night, keeping the party going. The comparatively small festival – ticketing around 15,000 adults – was named Independent Festival of the Year and Medium Festival of the Year by the UK Festival Awards in 2025. There’s never been a better time to take part in Shambala. 

The 2026 festival will be held August 27-30, Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens, NN6 9LY. You can get tickets here.

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