Immersive experience curators Do LaB have revealed the 2026 lineup for Lightning in a Bottle, North America’s original boutique music festival, returning to Buena Vista Lake in Southern California over Memorial Day Weekend, May 20–24, 2026.
For more than two decades, Lightning in a Bottle has stood as a celebration of creativity and community. Each year, fans return to a world built by collective imagination—where every sound, structure, and surprise is handcrafted, and where participation fuels the magic. It’s a festival that thrives on freedom, connection, and childlike wonder.
At its heart is the music: a carefully curated journey across stages including Lightning, Woogie, Thunder, and fan-favorite outposts such as The Stacks, The Junkyard, and The Grand Artique. The 2026 edition brings together global icons and underground innovators alike, delivering a sonic experience that defies genre and expectation.
Headlining the lineup are visionary Australian act Empire of the Sun, breakout hitmaker Mau P, hard techno leader Sara Landry, and bass music power duo Zeds Dead. Joining them are Chase & Status, Mochakk, Barry Can’t Swim, and R&B star Tinashe.
House and techno will pulse through the desert with Maceo Plex, Hot Since 82, Jayda G, Lee Burridge, J. Worra, Rodriguez Jr., and Desert Hearts’ own Mikey Lion, Lee Reynolds, and Marbs. Rising names such as AYYBO, Linska, and JAMIIE (marking her North American debut) add fresh energy to the mix.
Bass music lovers can look forward to Of The Trees, ALLEYCVT, Daily Bread, and INZO, while drum & bass heavyweights Dimension, Ivy Lab, and Flava D keep the tempo high. The UKG scene is represented by Conducta, Oppidan, MPH, Main Phase, and jigitz.
More eclectic sounds will come from Nia Archives, Overmono, DJ HEARTSTRING, Avalon Emerson, Tripolism, and 1-800 GIRLS. Other standout performances include drag superstar DJ Trixie Mattel, Afrobeats producer Sarz, electro-pop duo Haute & Freddy, Noga Erez, Midnight Generation, and rapper-poet KAMAUU.
Beyond the music, Lightning in a Bottle offers immersive experiences designed to inspire and transform. The Compass hosts hundreds of workshops and talks on topics from indigenous wisdom to climate action, while yoga sessions, art installations, and interactive spaces invite festival goers to explore, connect, and recharge.
For accommodations, attendees can select from three-day or five-day passes, pre-set camping, RV packages, and VIP upgrades offering access to backstage lounges, exclusive bars, and premium comforts.
As Lightning in a Bottle celebrates 23 years of radical creativity, its 2026 edition promises another unforgettable chapter in the festival’s legacy—one built not by algorithms, but by people coming together to create something real.
Tickets to Lightning in a Bottle 2026 will go on sale Friday, 11/14 at 11AM PT via LIBFestival
