Shambhala Music Festival is a treasure trove of adventure. The music is paramount, but only scratches the surface of everything Salmo River Ranch offers.
Shambhala’s stages are understandable selling points as each unique stage is a permanent infrastructure that evolves through the years. But Shambhala is a holistic experience. The Farm holds many secrets, from openly advertised ones to some that you have to stumble upon.
Ahead of Shambhala’s 26th anniversary on July 25th-28th, 2025, you can explore 10 things you can do before, in between, and after dancing the night away.
SALMO RIVER
Shambhala is one of the most welcoming places you’ll find, but the elements aren’t always so kind. Four-plus days of living and dancing in the sun can be physically taxing. Shambhala’s river is a necessity in the warm summer months. Like safari animals to a watering hole, exquisite wooks congregate at the river to cool off, socialize, and set the tone for a magical weekend. The river’s best feature is undoubtedly its proximity to the Living Room stage, which you can see and hear as you float along.
DIVISUALS
PRIDE PARADE
Everyone is welcome at the Farm. Shambhala will get an early start on Pride festivities by holding its own Pride Parade. The parade begins at 2 PM on July 26th under the Culture Canopy. From there, festivalgoers will dance their way through downtown. Flags, ribbons, and rainbows are encouraged!
RAVE RUNWAY EXTRAVAGANZA
New to Shambhala is the Rave Runway Extravaganza. Immediately after the Pride Parade, festivalgoers can migrate to the AMP stage for a celebration of creative freedom. Featuring live music, drag and dance performances, fashion and looks, everyone is welcome to take part. You can sign up for the fashion show here, with the winner, determined by crowd cheer, winning a free ticket to Shambhala next year. The extravaganza begins at 3 PM on July 26th.
WEDDING CHAPEL
The Shambha-love is strong here. The wedding chapel is a popular destination for unions, spiritual or otherwise. If you want the ceremony to be legally binding, ensure that you bring an officiant and witnesses. But love is love, whether it’s documented or not.
WISHING TREE
The Wishing Tree is a Shambhala landmark. A refuge for reflection, handwritten notes dangle from the stunning tree. Start your day with the right sentiment, or take an evening intermission to clear your thoughts by hanging a note from the tree.
YOGA
Speaking of starting your day right, yoga might be the best way to recover from the previous night’s headbanging and shuffling. Every morning, Shambhala offers yoga, acro yoga, breathwork circles, and more. The classes are held daily, from Thursday through Sunday, at the Yoga Garden and Riverside Zone, with special courses available at select stages.
SIDEQUESTING
Walk to the end of a far-off path, and you might find a wizard handing out quests. No one can tell you if they’re a volunteer or just festivalgoers or if you’ll even find them, but they exist. Shambhala’s philosophies of unity and creative expression are fertile grounds for silliness. Look around and you’ll eventually find the festival’s secret locations or guests eager to add a memorable wrinkle to your weekend.
DIVISUALS
CAMPSITE SHENANIGANS
Every Shambhala campsite tells a story. Trading posts, clothing swaps, funny flags, and intricate tapestries line every row. A beloved installation last year was a guest-made market near the entrance to the festival grounds, offering free supplies to people in a pinch. This isn’t a festival-provided service, just another example of Shambhala’s unrivalled community.
BASSCAMP ART GALLERY
Art exudes through every nook and cranny of Shambhala–from the permanent, ever-evolving stages to the various structures erected downtown. The BASScamp Gallery is another artistic highlight. The artist-run commercial gallery features artwork by twenty-nine talented artists.
FOOD AND ARTISAN MARKETS
Dancing is thirsty–and hungry–work. Fortunately, Shambhala has you covered with countless food and drink vendors conveniently placed at the intersection of most stages. The Artisan Market is a treasure trove for boutique shopping, the perfect place to equip yourself with pashminas, accessories, and mementos.
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