UNTOLD ONE 2026, running from 6 to 9 August in Cluj-Napoca, is Romania’s biggest festival with over 200 artists across 8 stages. Named the 3rd best festival in the world by DJ Mag for the third consecutive year, it welcomes 470,000 attendees from 150 countries. Sting, Martin Garrix, Lewis Capaldi, Carl Cox and Kygo headline this edition, which marks a new chapter for the event. The 4-day pass starts at 184 EUR — unbeatable value compared to other major European festivals, and you can calculate your budget with Pixidia.
Every year since 2015, the city of Cluj-Napoca in the heart of Transylvania transforms into the world capital of electronic music for one August weekend. UNTOLD Festival has become, in a decade, one of Europe’s most significant events, drawing an ever-growing international audience. The 2026 edition, branded UNTOLD ONE — « Chapter One » — symbolises a fresh start after the tenth anniversary. With 8 stages spread across 235,000 m² around Cluj Arena and Central Park, the festival offers an eclectic lineup mixing EDM, techno, pop, hip-hop and local discoveries, plan your festival trip with Pixidia, all set in a unique urban backdrop in the heart of Transylvania.
1. UNTOLD ONE 2026: the festival’s new chapter
The UNTOLD Festival has been organised annually since 2015 in Cluj-Napoca by UNTOLD PRODUCTION SRL and the SHARE Cluj-Napoca Federation. The 2026 edition, called UNTOLD ONE, marks the start of a new cycle after the tenth anniversary (UNTOLD X) which drew 470,000 festival-goers in 2025. According to Romania Journal, this edition « launches an unprecedented new chapter » with an even more ambitious production.
The festival takes place across a 235,000 m² site that encompasses Cluj Arena (a 30,000-capacity stadium, expandable to 90,000 for concerts), Central Park (12 hectares), the banks of the Someș River and BT Arena (an indoor venue). The 8 stages offer rare variety: the MainStage with its giant LED production and pyrotechnics, the indoor Galaxy Stage dedicated to techno (Carl Cox, Solomun, Sara Landry), the Alchemy Stage for hip-hop and drum & bass, the Daydreaming Stage nestled in the forest in a « shamanic » setup, plus the Time, Tram, Retro and Soul Circle stages.
Key figures 2026
- 200+ international artists
- 8 themed stages
- 470,000 festival-goers expected from over 150 countries
- 235,000 m² site in the heart of Cluj
- #3 worldwide in DJ Mag’s Top 100 Festivals (3rd consecutive year)
UNTOLD was voted Best Major Festival at the European Festival Awards back in 2015 — a first for a debut festival, beating Tomorrowland and Lollapalooza. According to DJ Mag, the festival holds its 3rd place worldwide for the third year running, behind Tomorrowland and EDC Las Vegas.
2. Line-up and programme: artists not to miss
The 2026 line-up is one of the most ambitious the festival has ever assembled. According to the AGERPRES news agency, the daily programme unveiled in May 2026 promises four intense nights. Here are the highlights day by day:
Thursday 6 August — Opening
- The Chainsmokers (7pm, MainStage)
- Sting headlining — his Sting 3.0 tour (9pm, MainStage)
- Carl Cox at Galaxy Stage (midnight-4am)
Friday 7 August — House vibes
- Zara Larsson and Kygo (MainStage)
- Sebastian Ingrosso, GORDO and Maceo Plex at Galaxy
- WhoMadeWho (Hybrid DJ Set) at Daydreaming Stage
Saturday 8 August — The big night
- Lewis Capaldi — Romanian premiere (6pm, MainStage)
- Martin Garrix (9pm, MainStage)
- Denzel Curry at Alchemy Stage, Mau P and Joseph Capriati at Galaxy
Sunday 9 August — Closing
- Flo Rida, Tash Sultana and Steve Aoki (MainStage)
- Afrojack b2b R3HAB (11pm, MainStage)
- Sara Landry at Galaxy Stage for the final night
Over 200 artists are programmed in total. Other confirmed names include: Alan Walker, Solomun, MEDUZA (3Live concept — a Romanian first), Tchami, Tujamo, bbno$, Sigma, Lost Frequencies, Marshmello, James Hype and Pendulum DJ Set. According to Mediafax, the detailed stage schedule will be published 2 to 4 weeks before the event on the UNTOLD mobile app.
3. Budget, accommodation and getting to the festival
Ticket prices 2026
Tickets are available exclusively via tickets.untold.com. According to KNEWS.MEDIA, here are the updated prices for the 2026 edition:
- 4-day General Access pass: from 690 Lei (~184 EUR) — Phase 5
- Under-25 pass: 792 Lei (~160 EUR)
- VIP Mainstage (18+): 2,259 Lei (~693 EUR)
- Galaxy Backstage (18+): 1,928 Lei (~693 EUR)
- VIP Ultimate Experience: 14,532 Lei (~2,900 EUR)
- Day tickets: 69 EUR (GA) / 99 EUR (VIP) + fees
Online check-in is free if done within 30 days of purchase, then charged 15 EUR online or 25 EUR on site. The festival operates on 100% cashless payment with an RFID wristband — top up online before you go to avoid queues at the on-site kiosks. Unspent balances are refundable after the festival.
Accommodation
Unlike many festivals, UNTOLD doesn’t offer official camping because the site is right in the city centre. According to Romanian Friend, accommodation options include:
- Hostels: from 20 EUR/night in the centre
- Hotels: 100+ EUR/night (prices double during the festival)
- Private camping: Colina Camping on the outskirts, from 10 EUR/night
- Official packages: from 875 Lei on untold.com
How to get to Cluj
Avram Iancu International Airport (CLJ) is 8 km from the city centre, served by low-cost carriers (WizzAir, Ryanair) from across Europe: from London Luton (2h50), from Manchester (3h), from Birmingham (3h15). From the airport, take the bus A1E (6 RON, ~1.20 EUR) or a Bolt/taxi (40-70 RON, ~8-14 EUR). From Bucharest, allow 7 hours by train or bus, or 56 minutes by plane. Romania has been part of the Schengen Area since January 2025.
4. Discovering Cluj-Napoca and Transylvania
Nicknamed « Little Vienna » for its baroque architecture and « Silicon Valley of the East » for its tech boom, Cluj-Napoca is Romania’s second city with around 400,000 residents and over 100,000 students. It’s a buzzing cultural hub that hosts more than 1,400 events a year, from the Transilvania International Film Festival (TIFF) to Jazz in the Park.
What to see in Cluj between concerts
- Piata Unirii and St Michael’s Church (Gothic, 14th century)
- Banffy Palace and the Cluj Art Museum
- Cetatuia Hill for panoramic views over the city
- The bars on Strada Piezisa (« Thirst Street ») and Form Space club
Day trips from Cluj
The region is packed with exceptional sites accessible in a day. According to Short Stay Guide, here are the must-sees:
- Turda Salt Mine (30 min) — underground masterpiece with a lake and Ferris wheel, constant temperature 10-12°C
- Corvin Castle in Hunedoara (1h45) — one of Europe’s most spectacular Gothic fortresses
- Alba Carolina Fortress in Alba Iulia — 18th-century Vauban star-shaped citadel
- Hoia-Baciu Forest — reputedly « paranormal, » attracts supernatural enthusiasts
Fancy a stress-free day out? The Curly Tour from Cluj (featured in the first card) takes you to Turda Salt Mine and Turda Gorge with a local guide — perfect for a getaway between two festival nights.
To build a custom trip that combines the festival with Transylvanian discovery, let Pixidia guide you: the tool learns your preferences and puts together a balanced programme of concerts, sightseeing and downtime.
Local food
Don’t leave without trying varza à la Cluj (Cluj-style stuffed cabbage), the city’s signature dish. Also sample mici (grilled garlicky minced meat rolls), papanași (cheese doughnuts) and pălincă (fruit brandy). Recommended restaurants include Roata, Casa Maramureșeană and Zama for authentic traditional cooking. One tip: eat a proper meal in old town Cluj before entering the festival site — far better value than the on-site street food.
Practical information
Stay connected on Orange and Vodafone Romania networks from the moment you land. No hunting for a local SIM: 5-minute setup, 4G/5G data, pay-as-you-go.
From $3.50 for 1 GBNomad Insurance: global coverage from $56/4 weeks. 10% off via our link. Covers medical, trip interruption and baggage — ideal for festival travel.
From $56 / 4 weeksFrequently asked questions
What are the exact dates of UNTOLD ONE 2026?
UNTOLD ONE 2026 runs from Thursday 6 August (gates open at 4pm) to Sunday 9 August 2026 in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Stages close between 6am and 8am. Official site.
How much does a ticket to UNTOLD 2026 cost?
The 4-day General Access pass starts at 690 Lei (~184 EUR). Under-25s pay around 160 EUR. VIP Mainstage is 693 EUR, and the VIP Ultimate Experience is 2,900 EUR. GA day tickets are 69 EUR + fees. KNEWS.MEDIA.
Is there camping on site at UNTOLD?
No, there is no official camping — UNTOLD is an urban festival right in the city centre. You can camp on the outskirts (Colina Camping, from 10 EUR/night) or choose a hotel, hostel or Airbnb in town. Book very early — prices spike sharply during the festival. Romanian Friend.
How do I get to Cluj-Napoca for UNTOLD?
Avram Iancu International Airport (CLJ) serves the whole of Europe via WizzAir, Ryanair and legacy carriers. From the airport: bus A1E (6 RON, ~1.20 EUR) or Bolt/taxi (40-70 RON, ~8-14 EUR). From Bucharest: train or bus (7h) or a 56-minute flight. From Budapest: FlixBus or MementoBus (6h). From the UK, WizzAir flies direct from London Luton (2h50). Rome2Rio.
Which are the most anticipated artists of the 2026 edition?
Headliners include Sting (Thursday, his Sting 3.0 tour), Lewis Capaldi (Saturday, Romanian premiere), Martin Garrix (Saturday), Zara Larsson and Kygo (Friday), Carl Cox at Galaxy Stage (Thursday), and the Afrojack b2b R3HAB set (Sunday). Over 200 artists are programmed across 8 stages. DJ Mag.
Do I need a visa for UNTOLD from the US, Canada or the UK?
No. Romania has been a Schengen Area member since January 2025. Citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia can stay 90 days visa-free. The ETIAS system (7 EUR, valid 3 years) is expected to launch by late 2026 but is not yet active. Atlys.
Sources
- untold.com — UNTOLD Festival official site
- DJ Mag — Full UNTOLD 2026 line-up and Top 100 Festivals ranking
- AGERPRES — Official daily programme announcement
- Romania Insider — Attendance, economic impact and UNTOLD news
- KNEWS.MEDIA — Festival pricing and budget 2026
- Romanian Friend — Practical festival guide
- Romania Journal — UNTOLD ONE new chapter
- Mediafax — Final line-up additions
- Short Stay Guide — Cluj-Napoca city guide
- Wikipedia — Festival history and data
Research conducted on 20 July 2026.
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