Actual 'life size' beach coming to Laois for Electric Picnic 2026
Pack your togs because Electric Picnic is literally bring beach vibes to Laois!
The one thing missing from Laois this hot summer was a beach, but Electric Picnic is coming to the rescue, hopefully not too late for all the sunshine.
The festival, taking place from August 28 to 30 in Stradbally Hall, has added an actual “life size” sandy beach to its reggae party in the woodlands, as part of Trenchtown.
“Something new always washes ashore at Electric Picnic,” the organisers say.
“This year, on a sandy stretch of the festival, a new tropical destination awaits as a life size beach in the woods brings the heat, rhythm and irie vibes… Welcome to Treasure Beach.
“This is where reggae vibrations, raw energy, dancehall pressure and afro house grooves take over,”
Among the acts are Rhythm People Recordings with an Afro-Latin set, DJ Will Softly keeping it tropical, Pablo Santo, Stellar Jo, and Irish DJ Beansidhe’s set mixing classic roots reggae influences alongside original material.
Aunty Shimmy also known as Shimmy Irie, the Dublin-based reggae selector is sure to be a firm-favourite.
“Closing out the weekend will be the Treasure Beach Mashdown. From hazy daytime sessions to full-throttle sunset moments and after-dark movement, Treasure Beach is your escape and your ignition point,” Electric Picnic promises.
Unless they’re really performed miracles, the beach will be minus a sea, but the festival has offered swimming for many years, in the Cosby Estate lake, supervised by Laois Civil Defence volunteers.
Headliners this year include Fontaines DC, Gorillaz, Sombr, Zara Larsson, CMAT and Lewis Capaldi.
The comedy tent line-up has just been announced, including a new Friday evening line-up. It is headlined by Mario Rosenstock, Deirdre O’Kane, Reggie Watts and Shane Todd, with Laois comedian Bernard O’Shea included in the dozens of comedy acts.
Tickets are sold out for Electric Picnic, except for official resales on Ticketmaster.