Shindig Festival

Shindig Festival 2026

Shindig Festival returns to Charlton Park, Wiltshire, from 21–24 May 2026, bringing together four unforgettable days of music, creativity, family entertainment and immersive experiences. Set within the beautiful parkland of the Charlton Park Estate, Shindig has earned a reputation as one of the UK's best-loved boutique festivals, offering an intimate atmosphere where music, art and community come together.

Unlike traditional music festivals, Shindig combines an eclectic line-up of live bands, DJs and performers with circus acts, wellness experiences, creative workshops, artisan markets and family-friendly activities. Whether you're dancing until sunrise, relaxing in the healing area or exploring the festival's colourful art installations, every corner of the site offers something new to discover.

With its welcoming community, carefully curated programme and stunning countryside setting, Shindig Festival delivers a unique bank holiday weekend that appeals to music lovers, families and first-time festival-goers alike.

Why Visit Shindig Festival?

Shindig Festival offers a refreshing alternative to large commercial festivals. With a limited capacity and a carefully designed site, visitors can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, short walking distances and the chance to experience world-class music without the crowds found at many major events.

The festival is renowned for its friendly community, imaginative décor and immersive experiences that extend far beyond the music. From late-night DJ sets and live bands to circus performances, comedy, wellness sessions and creative workshops, every part of Shindig has been designed to encourage participation, discovery and unforgettable memories.

Whether you're attending with friends, as a couple or with the whole family, Shindig provides an inclusive environment where everyone can create their own festival experience.

Music at Shindig Festival

Shindig Festival is known for its eclectic musical programme, bringing together established artists, exciting new talent and internationally respected DJs across multiple stages. Festival-goers can expect an energetic mix of funk, soul, reggae, hip hop, electronic music, house, disco, drum and bass, world music and live bands throughout the weekend.

The carefully curated line-up encourages visitors to discover new artists while enjoying performances from well-known favourites, creating a soundtrack that reflects Shindig's diverse and creative spirit.

A Festival for the Whole Family

Shindig has built a strong reputation as one of the UK's most family-friendly boutique festivals. Dedicated children's areas, creative workshops, circus skills, storytelling, interactive performances and outdoor adventures ensure younger visitors have just as much to enjoy as the adults.

Parents can relax knowing the festival has been designed with families in mind, while children are encouraged to explore, learn and take part in a wide variety of imaginative activities throughout the weekend.

Camping and Boutique Accommodation

Camping is a key part of the Shindig experience, creating a welcoming temporary community where festival-goers can relax between performances and activities. Visitors can choose from standard camping pitches or upgrade to boutique accommodation, including pre-pitched bell tents and glamping options for extra comfort.

The spacious campsite and beautiful surroundings of Charlton Park allow visitors to fully immerse themselves in the festival atmosphere while enjoying one of the most scenic settings on the UK festival calendar.

More Than Just Music

One of the things that makes Shindig Festival unique is the incredible range of experiences available beyond the stages. Visitors can explore colourful art installations, enjoy wellness sessions, browse artisan markets, watch circus and theatre performances or take part in creative workshops throughout the weekend.

This combination of music, culture and participation creates an atmosphere that encourages discovery and makes every visit different, with hidden surprises and spontaneous performances around every corner of the site.

Explore Wiltshire During Your Visit

Charlton Park is perfectly located for visitors wishing to explore the surrounding Wiltshire countryside before or after the festival. The nearby market towns of Malmesbury and Tetbury offer historic streets, independent shops and excellent cafés, while the Cotswolds and Westonbirt Arboretum are both within easy reach.

Many festival-goers extend their stay to enjoy the area's scenic walks, historic landmarks and picturesque villages, making Shindig Festival an ideal destination for a bank holiday escape.

Bristol Airport (BRS) is the nearest regional airport, about 45 miles away (roughly an hour’s drive). It offers many domestic and European flights. London Heathrow (LHR) is around 90 miles east (about 1.5–2 hours by car); from Heathrow you can take a train (“HX Express” to Paddington and then Great Western Railway to Chippenham or Swindon) to get closer. Cardiff (CWL, ~1.5 hours by road) and Birmingham (BHX, ~2–2.5 hours) airports are also options, but Bristol and Heathrow are generally easiest. Renting a car or taking a combination of train and taxi from the airport will get you to Malmesbury efficiently.

The closest mainline train station is Chippenham (about 7 miles south of Malmesbury) on the GWR line. Trains run frequently here from London (Paddington), Bath, Bristol and Cardiff. Typically, visitors take the train to Chippenham, then switch to a local bus or taxi into Malmesbury or directly to Charlton Park Estate. Shindig often provides a shuttle bus from Chippenham station to the festival grounds on event days (check the festival website for schedules). Another nearby station is Kemble (on the Golden Valley line), slightly closer but with fewer services. From either station, Stagecoach buses (for example route 55 via Malmesbury) or local taxis can complete your journey.

Driving is straightforward: Charlton Park is reached via the M4/M5 network. From London or the west, exit M4 at junction 17 (Chippenham) and head north on the A350 to Malmesbury. From the Midlands or north, use M5 to junction 14 (near Almondsbury) and then the A417/A433 through Cirencester to Malmesbury. For precise directions, plug the postcode SN16 9LL (Charlton Park Estate) into your satnav. The festival provides on-site parking for attendees (often signposted to color-coded areas) but spaces can fill up on busy days, so car-sharing is recommended. Plan for extra travel time as local roads can be busy. Malmesbury also has a small public car park if you need it for town visits.

Malmesbury is a charming market town with only a few hotels, inns and B&Bs, so accommodations book up early during festival weekends. Nearby Chippenham (a 10-minute drive) has larger hotel chains and a supermarket for supplies. Many visitors opt to camp either on-site or at local campsites; Shindig offers camping and glamping packages (from basic tent pitches to furnished bell tents and yurts) that can be booked in advance. Off-site, local buses (such as Stagecoach 55 which stops in Malmesbury) and taxis provide connections to Charlton Park. If you arrive early, take time to enjoy Malmesbury’s shops, restaurants and famous abbey before the music begins.