El Gouna gears up for Sandbox Festival 2026 with global line-up

CAIRO – Egypt’s Red Sea resort town of El Gouna is preparing to welcome the 2026 edition of the Sandbox Festival, with organisers promising a larger international line-up and an expanded multi-stage experience from May 7 to 10.

Set against the backdrop of the Red Sea, the electronic music gathering has grown into a flagship destination event, drawing audiences from across the region and beyond. This year’s edition is expected to feature more than 100 artists performing across eight stages, underscoring the festival’s ambition to position itself among the leading electronic music events globally.

The programme brings together a mix of established names and emerging talent from the international circuit. Among the headline acts are Bedouin, DJ Tennis performing back-to-back with Traumer, as well as collaborative sets such as Ajna B2B Samm and Notre Dame B2B Ankhoï. The live showcase by Âme is also expected to be a highlight.

The wider line-up reflects the festival’s broad musical scope, with artists including Dixon, The Blaze (DJ set), Shanti Celeste, HoneyLuv, Craig Richards and DJ Python, alongside regional performers such as Omar Fayyad and Ramez. Live performances from acts including Husa and Zeyada and Natasha Polké further add to the diversity of the programme.

Hosted in El Gouna, located around 25 kilometres from Hurghada, the festival benefits from the town’s purpose-built design. Its compact layout allows for seamless movement between venues, with shuttle services and tuk-tuks connecting key areas such as Abu Tig Marina and Downtown directly to the festival grounds.

Accommodation options cater to a wide range of visitors, from lifestyle-focused stays like Cook’s Club El Gouna to upscale resorts including The Chedi El Gouna and Casa Cook El Gouna, reinforcing the festival’s appeal as both a music and travel experience.

As electronic music continues to gain momentum across the Middle East and North Africa, Sandbox Festival’s latest edition highlights Egypt’s growing role on the global cultural map, blending international sounds with a distinctive coastal setting.