Electric Castle (EC) 2026 begins today, and the 12th edition of the festival promises to be spectacular in terms of line-up and experiences prepared by the organizers. Almost 21,000 participants chose not to wait for the “official” opening and have already spent a first night in the festival’s camping area.
Sleepover Party was, on Wednesday evening, the annual reunion at the castle of the most dedicated fans, as well as the return to the festival, after 12 years, of Wilkinson, the British producer who owes a large part of his popularity in Romania to the EC community.
The majority of festival-goers will arrive in Bonțida today. Their journey here has become much more accessible thanks to the initiative supported by Banca Transilvania, in a partnership with Cluj-Napoca City Hall, to offer free transport on all CTP lines to those wearing a festival wristband. From the city to the festival, participants can opt for trains or buses, with a ticket price starting from 7 lei for CFR trains and 19 lei for the EC bus.
With over 200 artists on the festival’s 10 stages, Electric Castle leaves room for all musical styles, and the first day is a clear example that a combination of rock, punk, hip hop, and dubstep is the perfect cocktail for a good time. The most anticipated shows on Thursday are Balu Brigada, the New Zealand band in strong ascension in the indie style, the controversial Kneecap who juggle political messages over hip hop rhythms, and Sleaford Mods, living proof that the punk style always has resources to reinvent itself. A first surprise prepared by the organizers: Freestylers, the artists who brought bass style from underground into the mainstream, will have a special moment in the Dub Pistols show, followed, after midnight, by their own set on The Beach stage.
From today until Sunday night, each day will bring a different headline act, a different story, and a different reason why hundreds of thousands of people choose to return, year after year, to Bonțida.
All information about the schedule, tickets, and surprises can be discovered at www.electriccastle.ro or in the festival’s official app.
