Shambala Festival
A fiercely independent, eco-conscious festival with a no-sponsorship ethos, known for its carnival atmosphere, costumes, and progressive values.
Shambala Festival revellers in colourful costumes with decorated campervans
Why Go
Shambala is the festival for people who want something different. With no corporate sponsors, a fully meat-and-fish-free food policy, and a commitment to sustainability, it attracts a creative, open-minded crowd. The lineup covers music, workshops, talks, and immersive experiences, all with a strong emphasis on community. Campervanners fit the Shambala ethos naturally — you arrive self-contained, you leave no trace, and you take everything home with you. The secret Northamptonshire location adds a small adventure to the journey, and because it falls on the August bank holiday you have a built-in extra day, which regulars use for a slow, scenic drive home through the villages and canal country of the south Midlands rather than a motorway slog.
Campervan Information
Campervan Access & Facilities
Shambala offers limited campervan spaces that must be pre-booked. The exact location is kept secret until close to the event, so plan for a potentially long drive. Campervan pitches are basic with composting toilets nearby. Space is tight compared to larger festivals, so be prepared for cosy conditions. Generators are not permitted. That generator ban makes battery planning the single most important part of your prep: charge the leisure battery fully on the drive up, fit solar if you can, and cut your power budget by switching to LED lanterns, keeping the fridge well-stocked and shaded, and saving phone charge with flight mode. Because pitches are compact, pack like a backpacker rather than a glamper — a small table and chairs rather than a full awning setup, and soft bags rather than rigid boxes so everything stows away. Arrive with water full and waste empty, since facilities are deliberately simple, and take every scrap of rubbish and recycling home: leave-no-trace is taken seriously here and your neighbours will notice. Keep your route flexible on travel day too — with the location revealed late, fuel and food stops are easier to improvise if the tank and fridge start the journey full. Download offline maps before you set off too, as rural signal can be patchy on the final approach.
Top Tips for Campervans
Apply for campervan tickets early as the allocation is small and Shambala sells out fast.
Bring a costume as fancy dress is practically compulsory at Shambala.
Leave the generator at home as they are banned in line with the festival’s eco-policy.
Budget for amazing food stalls as the vegetarian and vegan options are outstanding.
Plan your power budget before you leave — full leisure battery, solar top-up and LED lighting will see you through the weekend.
Pack compact: pitches are cosy, so soft bags and a small table beat a sprawling awning setup.
Nearest Campervan Converters
Looking for a converter near Shambala Festival? Browse trusted, reviewed converters in these nearby areas:
Get Your Van Festival-Ready
Size an off-grid power setup so your leisure battery lasts the whole festival.
What a festival-ready build actually costs, from budget self-builds to pro conversions.
Choose the right sleeping setup before you commit to festival weekends in the van.