Shindig Festival announces first-tier lineup for 2026

Shindig, the festival that signals the start of summer, reveals the first wave of its 2026 lineup today.

The family-friendly event returns to the arboretum of Charlton Park Estate, Wiltshire, over May 21-24 next year. Bringing a packed programme of entertainment for all ages, Shindig Festival offers relaxation and revelry in equal measures.

Recommended by Emily Eavis, Glastonbury organiser, the festival has been dubbed “a pint-sized version of Glastonbury”. It’s now back for its twelfth year with an eclectic line up and what some say is one of the friendliest festival crowds in the UK.

As well as sonic heroes and heroines, the lineup is peppered with lesser known acts set to be future festival favourites. Fat Dog fuse dance-punk, techno, klezmer and industrial pop, while Snapped Ankles’ raw, ritualistic dance-punk has been given a late-night slot for a big rave.

Shindig is back for its twelfth edition – photo: Coal Poet Media

WAR, the iconic Long Beach funk, soul and rock band known for massive sing-along classics like Why Can’t We Be Friends, Low Rider and Spill the Wine are performing their only UK show outside London, and Chali 2NA – the bass baritone voice from Jurassic 5 – is bringing his newly formed live band.

For some head-down hedonism, drum and bass fans will enjoy Pola & Bryson, a Jungle Cakes takeover featuring Serial Killaz, Deekline, Ed Solo and Kaya Faya plus Born On Road’s Kelvin 373 and his daughter Kaisha.

Disco and house lovers can look forward to Colleen Cosmo Murphy and Aroop Roy, while live dance acts include 2Fox and Close Counters, and Joshua Idehen offers a powerful mix of soulful electronic performance, emotional storytelling and jazz-inspired musicality.

Breaks fans are well catered for with the Stanton Warriors bringing their new project Rebel Bass for a stage takeover, showcasing upcoming artists from around Europe including Borez, Svetti and Jem Haynes who was resident at Space in Ibiza for 10 years, to mention a few.

My Baby, the much-loved Dutch trio whose riff-driven, roots-psych sound has travelled from cult favourite to major festival stages are on the bill alongside TEKE::TEKE, the Japanese-Canadian psychedelic rock collective known for their explosive, cinematic sound and Smag På Dig Selv, Denmark’s wildest genre-twisters, delivering high-octane live chaos.

Reggae, dub and global-bass energy comes from rootsy, sound-system-driven festival favourites like Mungo’s Hi Fi, making their long-awaited Shindig debut, the Hempolics, Laid Blak, Omega Nebula and Kotoa, and Shindig stalwarts include A.Skillz, Altern 8 and a special Dub Pistols DJ set.

Dan Cadell

More than Music
From talks to poetry and award-winning street food, there’s plenty of opportunity at Shindig to chill out with mates, sip something cold and people watch. Festivals are opportunities to fuel up on fun, connection and inspiration. Led by Donkeys, the infamous team of disruptors who hold powerful people to account, will be talking about their art and activism: not to be missed.

Attention-stealing art installations
Imagine walking round a giant outdoor art gallery stuffed with sculptures that look like they’ve fallen from Mars. More than ever before, there will be mind-bending pieces at every turn from the most visionary and trailblazing creatives of today, including artists such as WREKON, James Kearney and Mutoid Waste Company.

Showcasing local talent
The Hobo stage of comedy and music is the place to congregate for talks, cabaret and open mic sessions. Rather like a Bath busking stage, it brings on the next generation of artist and home-grown talent.

An Oasis of Calm
Head to the Holistic Sanctuary to reset, unwind and reconnect with yourself. This chill out cafe is set in amongst the trees, providing a haven away from the hustle and bustle.

Makers and Craft area
Explore some traditional skills and get creative. From making plant hangers, knives, puppets, pottery and poms poms, to jewellery, woodwork and upcycling clothes, the craft corner has something for everyone.

With a packed programme of music and entertainment for all ages, Shindig is a small festival with a big soul.

The fesitval’s co-founder Si Clarke said: “The feedback from 2025 was overwhelming – people told us it was our best year ever so we’re aiming to top that. We’re moving even more of the action into the beautiful arboretum and creating magical hidden spaces for people to discover.

“For those who love the intimacy of a small festival but want the scale of a broad lineup, we’ve got you covered!”

Weekend adult tickets are on sale, priced at £175 plus booking fee for a limited time.

Win the Ultimate Shindig Christmas Gift!

As a special Christmas gift, Shindig are giving one lucky winner the chance to wake up in style at the festival in 2026. The prize includes two adult weekend tickets and a luxury bell tent for two – the perfect present for someone special (even if that someone is you). The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve. Find out more and enter here.

Main image by Sarah Kourney at the Dig Inn