23rd Annual Shambhala Music Festival – July 24th – 27th, 2020.
Canada’s premiere Electronic Music Festival; cutting edge artists, lights, and sound with 6 uniquely themed stages come together to give life to a non-sponsored family run paradise. Experiencing it is the only way to understand exactly what is Shambhala.

Shambhala Music Festival was born from a vision as grassroots as it gets. On a sunny Labour Day weekend back 1998, some 500 people gathered at the Salmo River Ranch for a party that showcased local art and music. Since those early, heady days, Shambhala grew with enthusiasm by word of mouth, quickly becoming a staple event for the West Coast underground electronic music scene. Today it attracts world renowned DJs and artists and some of the most eclectic, energetic fans in the universe. Shambhala is built on Shambhalove which shines bright to this day.
By 2010, fueled by what festival goers now called “Shambhalovelies”, some 11,000 guests were coming to dance and be free in the wilds of interior British Columbia. Today, people come to enjoy the festival’s focus of providing amazing art, music and organic food supplied through Shambhala’s own venues; Night Owl (locally roasted coffee from Oso Negro), Farm Fresh (fresh, organic ingredients made into smoothies) and Blaze Burgers (meat produced from happy cows raised on the Salmo River Ranch). For 2017 the journey continues to grow and evolve, with some new stage developments that are sure to blow minds.
Shambhala is a family run business, Salmo River Ranch is owned by the Bundschuh Family. The parents and their three children have worked together to make Shambhala what it is today. Friends continue to bring friends who become crew, who grow into the extended “farmily.” The Salmo River Ranch is a 500-acre working farm year round playing home to cows, horses, farm dogs, pigs, chickens and miniature donkeys. Gardens and hay fields are the normal business affairs year round. There is also a small sawmill on the property that transforms into the main gate during showtime. The pristine Salmo River runs through it all.
Shambhala is cutting edge in it’s production and does not accept any corporate sponsorship. This allows the festival to retain a true reflection of the people on the dance floor and their vision of what their community looks like. In this respect, the Shambhala community is like no other. You will not see one advertisement or corporate logo on the farm.
Seemingly overnight, the ranch miraculously transforms into the biggest city in the West Kootenays for five days and five nights. A dedicated crew of 2,500 workers and volunteers keep the bustling city of Shambhala operating smoothly and safe during showtime for the enjoyment of 11,000 guests and 700+ artists. All essential utilities and show stopper art comes alive to give this temporary city a life-force all its own. Upon the crew’s and guest’s departure, the farm returns to regular existence; hay fields replace campgrounds and cows roam the forest trails.
Shambhala is an annual event not to be missed, boasting six uniquely themed stages, each managed by their own Stage Director. All Stage Directors will book their artists, dream up the stage’s vibe and deliver unforgettable experiences year after year. Shambhala Stage Directors aim to weave the best in up and coming electronic and live music from both around the globe and our very talented backyard.
Ultimately, Shambhala is a celebration of music, art and life, steeped in one of the most beautiful festival venues in the world.

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