Which Gate to Go To

Shambala is held at Kelmarsh Hall, NN6 9LY, but do not just follow your sat nav. 

Due to event road closures and changes to entry gates, approach using the directions detailed below for your vehicle ticket type:  

GREEN GATE — Car Parking, Motorbike and External Accessible Parking Tickets. Head for Kelmarsh, Northamptonshire, take Jct 2 from the A14 and follow road signage for Green Gate.

PINK GATE — All Camper Vans, Dragonfly Parking, Accessible Camping CVs and Internal Accessible Parking. Head for Welford, Northamptonshire, take Jct 1 from the A14 and follow signs for Pink Gate.

BLUE GATE — Taxis and Drop-Off / Pick Up. Head toward Kelmarsh and follow signs for Blue Gate.

BLUE GATE — Local Sunday Parking. Head toward Kelmarsh and follow signs for Blue Gate.

BLUE GATE — Cyclists. If you’re making your way to Shambala independently, by bicycle, head toward Kelmarsh and follow signs for Blue Gate.

Shambala Express, Trains and Shuttle Arrival 

Your Shambala Express Ticket will be issued directly by our coach operator (Big Green) shortly before the event (no later than 78hrs before). If you have any enquiries please contact Big Green on 0330 2234 368 

→ Coach information and departure locations

→ Information on travelling by train and shuttle bus can be found here. 

Make sure you have all the tickets you need — if you’re travelling by car, make sure you’ve bought a car pass in advance, to avoid any stress or disappointment on arrival.

Under 18s / Minors 

Child or Teen ticketholders (Minors) cannot access the event unless they arrive with a Parent or Guardian Ticketholder (see T&Cs for ratio of Child or Teen tickets to Guardian HERE) and are admitted through the gate together. Where the nominated Guardian is not the child’s parent, they will  then be considered in ‘loco parentis’ of the Minor for the duration of the event.

Alcohol on First Time Entry Only, and Prohibited Items

Alcohol for personal consumption can only be brought into the festival on your first entry through the gate. You will not be able to return to your vehicle and collect further alcohol (we recommend bringing in your tent and your alcohol on the first trip!) 

Alcohol is limited to 16 x 440ml cans of lager / cider / beer OR 18 x 250ml pre-mixed spirits OR 3L box of wine OR 7L of cider / lager / beer in plastic bottles per person.

Thanks for your support in this, as an independent event, our bars provide crucial income that keep the festival viable!

Other prohibited items include; illegal drugs including Nitrous Oxide, no tents larger than for personal use, no glass, pets, disposable BBQs, flares, drones or soundsystems. See our T&Cs for the full list.

Dates and Times

The site is open to camping from noon on Thursday 27th August. Everyone must leave the site by 2pm on Monday 31st August.

Car park gates open at 11am Thursday, and 9am Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Gates are closed each evening at 10pm. Don’t be late or you can’t get in!

Right of Admissions Refusal: We reserve the right to refuse entry to any persons or vehicles. Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated. Anyone found without a wristband will be evicted from site.

Green Traveller Tickets (Express, Trains & Cycles)

Remember, Green Traveller Tickets are only valid for entry when arriving to site with a corresponding transport ticket: 

• Shambala Express ticket
• Red Fox Cycling ticket
• A valid train ticket for the day of the event (shuttle tickets / wristbands are not valid)

You will need to show these at the Pedestrian Gate in order to gain entry. A surcharge will apply for any Green Traveller that cannot present a valid transport ticket. 

Onsite Payments

Bars, merchandise points, traders and spas accept contactless card payment only. Meadow therapists and craft workshops may still accept cash. There are cash machines onsite.

Essential Info & the Shambala App

Download the Essential Guide to Shambala 2026 — it’s packed with important info. Lead bookers, please share it round your whole group so everyone’s clued up!

Printed paper programmes are also available to buy onsite.

See you in the fields soon!