Electric Picnic 2026: Sneak peek ahead of the festival

With 80,000 headed for Stradbally this weekend, Electric Picnic brought journalists around the festival site for a sneak peek of what you can expect at this year's event, from sit-down restaurants to a new 'Barefoot Garden'.

In terms of food, Nomad, a new addition to the festival this year, will allow attendees to book lunch reservations to two restaurants – Ibile, a West African eatery, and Biang Biang, serving Chinese cuisine inspired by the Chang’an province. The area was created with the intention of exploring global cuisine “as the irish pallets starts migrating away from spice bags,” according to Richard Irwin, who runs food and drinks at EP.

Other options at Nomad include Yogovan, a yogurt bowl and açaí vendor new to the festival this year.

Following the final sitting at 4 pm, Ibile and Biang Biang will turn into walk-up food and drink vendors, with other options including Bah33, a Dublin-based Brazilian steakhouse and grill, Gyro Kings, a Greek-inspired spot and Wing It, a popular chicken chain.

Electric Picnic will also hold an extra night of comedy this year as the tent opens from 6pm on Friday evening. Among the performers are Steve Spade, a Las Vegas magician and showman, Cork-based comedian Sinéad Quinlan and Taran O’Sullivan, a comedian and radio presenter from Meath.

This year also sees Re-turn named as Electric Picnic's official sustainability partners. By choosing to put their can or bottle in one of 400 Orange Bins across the site, attendees are not only helping keep EP clean, but keeping valuable materials stay in the circular economy too, while supporting good causes across Ireland.

"I think it's extraordinary that we've got 200 volunteers dedicated to returning used bottles and cans," festival director Melvin Benn told reporters. "I think it just shows the incredible commitment Ireland's got to sustainability that fits perfectly well with Electric Picnic.

"Returning and reusing is essential to the future. You've seen the heat across Europe this year, and everybody's putting it down carbon footprint. And rightly So changing culture is essential. Re-turn being here, making such a strong commitment at the Electric Picnic, is essential. Not just here at the Picnic, but in society and life generally."

For new spaces to enjoy, the festival has added a Barefoot Garden to Croí, an area that invites attendees to take off their shoes and stand on the earth.

 "One of the things that we try and do is make sure people have one hell of a time," festival director Melvin Benn told reporters. "People can go a little over the top, and reconnecting with the earth is a way to rebalance yourself. [Taking your shoes and socks off]  actually does make a difference to the calmness of your life. It's something I love doing myself, and I just thought: 'Wouldn't it be fantastic to be able to do it in the Picnic?'"

Two other new areas will also make their debuts, including Survivors Bar and Stage and GlowDepot, a city in the woods inspired by the upcycled shopping trolly fitted with flashing LEDs that roamed Electric Picnic fifteen years ago.

“What’s really exciting about it is for the first time Irish hip hop and underground is going to have a dedicated space at ireland’s largest music festival,” said GlowDepot curator John Kennedy. “Some acts who I think are the top poets of the younger generation. These are our Seamus Heaneys and our John Montagues.”

For the first time, Guinness will be offered at the festival this year at The Lovely Local. Pouring the first pint is pop star Morgana, who is also set to play an intimate gig there.

Finally, the Main Stage Presented by 3 will make the epicentre of the festival. It awaits acts from Lewis Capaldi, Gorillaz, Fontaines D.C., Sombr, Zara Larsson, CMAT, Amble and more.

Check out Hot Press' special Electric Picnic issue below.