Shankra Festival Switzerland will not take place in 2026. On 17 June 2026 the founders, Mahi and Madu Murugar, announced a further postponement and said the foundations are in place for a return in 2027 in Lostallo, Canton Graubünden. No dates have been announced, and tickets already bought are valid for the 2027 edition.
This page explains what happened to the Swiss psytrance festival since 2023, what the organisers have said about 2027 and refunds, and where to find official news. Last updated: 19 September 2026.
Is Shankra Festival happening in 2026?
No. In a statement dated 17 June 2026, the organisers said they were postponing the Swiss edition again. Their reasons were time and cost: with only about 120 days available after the permit process, they could not guarantee the standards they aim for, and a sharp rise in costs after previous editions left them unable to take on certain expenses. They described the decision as a painful one and said reason had to prevail over the heart.
Will there be a Shankra Festival in 2027?
That is the plan, but it is not yet confirmed with dates. The founders say all the foundations for a 2027 edition are in place and that cooperation with the Municipality of Lostallo continues. The municipality approved a safety concept, prepared with the risk-management firm SBIS SA, and issued a pre-authorisation for the festival. No 2027 dates, lineup or ticket sales have been published on the official site, so treat any listing with an exact date as unconfirmed.
What has happened to Shankra Festival since 2023?
The 2023 landslide
Just hours before the 2023 Swiss edition began, a landslide hit one of the festival areas. The municipality allowed the event to continue, but the organisers say the delay, the closure of the Lotus dancefloor, lower bar revenue and cleanup costs caused a substantial financial loss.
The June 2024 storm
On 21 June 2024 a severe storm flooded the festival site in Lostallo within minutes and forced about forty team members to flee, according to the organisers. The 2024 edition, planned for 10 to 14 July, was postponed. The organisers say they received no insurance payout or other compensation for the losses.
2025 and the search for a new site
The 2025 edition was then called off. In a statement dated 3 June 2025, the founders wrote that they were working toward a 2026 return. In 2026 the priority became hydrogeological safety: the permit application had been filed in 2025, but talks about holding the event were postponed until the new town council was in place in January and a new hydrogeological risk map was published. Safety requirements are now considerably stricter than before.
What about refunds and existing tickets?
The organisers say tickets already purchased are valid for the 2027 edition. They also acknowledge that many people are still waiting for news about refunds of 2024 tickets, and they have promised that refunds will happen, asking for more patience. If you hold a ticket, use the contact page on the official Shankra site and follow the news page for instructions rather than relying on third-party listings.
What is Shankra Festival?
Shankra was founded by Mahi and Madu Murugar and celebrates psychedelic trance culture, self-expression and freedom in natural landscapes. The Swiss edition takes place in the Alps in Lostallo, over five days on three dancefloors, with performances, healing practices, lectures, live painting, workshops and a children’s village. The team also started a Sri Lanka edition in 2015, which ran five times until 2020 before the pandemic; the Sri Lankan edition was postponed repeatedly from 2021 and no new date is listed on the official site.
Why does this matter for the wider psytrance scene?
Shankra is one of several independent festivals hit by rising costs, weather risk and tighter permitting. We covered the wider picture in our festival industry reckoning, and related cancellations in our reports on Noisily Festival, Esoteric Festival and Psy-Fi.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shankra 2026 cancelled? It was postponed, and the organisers point to 2027.
Where would the festival be held? In Lostallo, Canton Graubünden, Switzerland, with the municipality’s cooperation.
When is Shankra 2027? Not announced.
Are old tickets still valid? The organisers say tickets already purchased are valid for the 2027 edition.
Where can I find official news? At shankrafestival.org and on the Shankra Facebook page and Instagram.
Final thoughts
Shankra’s story since 2023 is a case study in how weather and finances can stall a well-loved festival. The organisers have been open about the setbacks and say a 2027 return is still the goal. Stay tuned with FeedFreq for the next official announcement, and follow more festival stories on FeedFreq.
