Electric Picnic is back with a bang with 70,000 eager punters getting ready to hit the road for the big weekend.
After a three year hiatus due to covid, the wait is finally over.
It is time to pack the essentials, plan your route, and suss out what stage to go to as the three day festival gets set to kick off on Friday at Stradbally Estate in Co. Laois.
For those lucky enough to have tickets to the sold out weekend, here’s everything you need to know ahead of your arrival.
Read More: Electric Picnic 2022 weather forecast as people told to prepare for 'mudfest' amid warning
Where and when does it take place
This year’s event takes place in the usual grounds of Stradbally Estate in Co. Laois, from 2 – 4 September.
Line-up and stage times
Dermot Kennedy, Tame Impala, Arctic Monkeys, Megan Thee Stallion, Picture This, and Snow Patrol are all set to headline the main stage over the sold-out weekend for 70,000 fans.
Other highlights include The Coronas, London Grammar, Becky Hill, The Academic, Hudson Taylor, James Vincent McMorrow, Le Boom, Kneecap and Gemma Dunleavy.
Additions to the comedy and podcast line-up include popular podcast pals Vogue Williams and Joanne McNally of the award winning My Therapist Ghosted Me podcast, and RTE presenters and podcasting pair, The 2 Johnnies.
The full line-up and stage times for all the areas are available on the Electric Picnic app and on the website here.
Other cool stages
Casa BACARDÍ® is celebrating their 17th year returning to Stradbally with a star-studded line-up including chart topping Scottish duo LF System, Irish sensation Marcus O’Laoire and DJ Deece.
Also among the performers is Boots & Kats, Ben Bix, DJ Karen, Sally Cinnamon B2B Jimmy Rogue, Justyna Koss, Mix & Fairbanks.
The long-standing Electric Picnic establishment is a firm favourite amongst festival goers for its electrifying atmosphere and unique sound, and of course, the delicious cocktails.
Over at the Heineken® Greener Bar - their most sustainable bar ever - the line-up focuses on local talent in an effort to reduce the carbon footprint.
This includes R3D's House, Soul Jam, DJ Safari, Stevie G feat Minnie Marley, Sing Along Social and many more.
This marks the first year the brand has cut international travel in preference for 100% local artists. This is estimated to achieve an emissions reduction over 90% (vs regular fuel) and over 60% less emissions than previous years (vs 2019).
In addition to shifting the focus of the line-up to local talent, Heineken® is also driving efficiencies on lighting and sound by creating a custom built lower emission LED lighting rig (which uses up to 85% less electricity than traditional light bulbs) and LED screens (which can achieve an energy saving of up to 50%).
The Greener Bar also uses bio generators and a customised smart power plan to reduce unnecessary waste.
The plan is inspired by the MyZap Smart Power Planning (an exciting new lower energy solution currently being trialled by Coldplay on their most sustainable world tour yet).
The 3 All For Music stage will be launched at Electric Picnic this year. To celebrate the launch, Three has partnered with one of Ireland’s most exciting collectives, Narolane Records, to open the 3 All For Music stage on Saturday with an exclusive performance.
Narolane, fronted by Limerick rappers God Knows, Denise Chaila and MuRli, will be joined by a collection of guest Irish artists at the 3 All For Music stage for a very special show.
How to get there
There are many ways to make your way to Electric Picnic.
However, organisers have urged punters to remember travel accounts for about 80% of a festival’s total carbon footprint so are strongly urging all festival goers to use public transport or car share.
By Bus -
Travelmaster- will run a nationwide return service to Electric Picnic from €30, from the 1st to 4th of September.
Marathon Coaches are running coach services from Custom House bus stop 407 and North wall Quay in Dublin city to and from Stradbally, from the 1st to the 4th of September.
Irish Concert Travel – Will run a nationwide return service from €35. The service to Electric Picnic will run on the 2nd September with the return journey on the 5th September.
Martley’s will be running a shuttle bus from Portlaoise train station to Stradbally. Cash only service. The cost will be €7 each way.
Buses to Concerts – will be running coaches to the Electric Picnic 2022 throughout the weekend from the 2nd-4th September, 2022.
By train -
Portlaoise Train Station is the closest station to the festival. There will be a shuttle bus service from the Train Station to Electric Picnic, information about this service is available below in our ‘By Shuttle Bus’ section.
By bike -
Anyone with a bike should come through the Tour de Picnic area. Bikes can be left in the designated area adjacent to the Tour de Picnic bike racks.
Sign up for Tour de Picnic now and secure your ticket to this year’s festival while raising money for three worthy causes.
Car parking
Parking is free, with a yellow, red and green carpark.
The green car park is open from 4pm on Thursday 1 September for early entry ticket holders only.
The red and yellow car parks are open from 9am on Friday 2 September until 1pm Monday 5 September.
Parking is free at the festival. These car parks allow access to all general camping areas. No sleeping, camping or fires are allowed in the car parks.
Organisers have also urged ticket holders to follow the event signage and directions from the Gardaí when arriving at the festival, not the sat nav.
There are different routes into the festival depending on the direction you are coming from and what mode of transport you are using and whether you are being dropped off, a weekend ticket holder, a family ticket holder, bringing campervan/caravans or a day ticket holder.
All attendees travelling to the event by car are required to park within the car parks they are directed to by the Gardai and event staff.
Can I charge my phone?
Three Charging will be providing charging facilities in the Main Arena, Late Night Arena and Jimi Hendrix Campsite.
It is the perfect place for festival-goers to chill out and take a quick break between catching their favourite artists and to recharge those all-important batteries.
Three customers can also access a host of exclusive experiences, through the 3Plus rewards app across the weekend.
What can and can’t I bring?
Certain items are not allowed within the arena or the campsites.
Organisers have stated that you may be body and/or bag searched at the entrance, onsite or on leaving.
Any items, which may reasonably be considered for use as a weapon, or which may cause danger or disruption to any other persons at the event, will be confiscated.
Excessive amounts of food, cigarettes and alcohol may be refused entry to the site.
Alcohol in glass bottles is prohibited.
You can bring up to 48 cans of alcohol per person into the campsite, as well as bottles of water and soft drinks and food.
Small glass items such as perfume bottles (up to 100ml) and make-up mirrors, and medication (organisers recommend bringing your prescription or a doctor’s note).
Full list here.
Age restrictions
Electric Picnic is a strictly over 18’s event (with the exception of children aged 12 and under). Children aged 13-17 years old are not permitted to attend even when accompanied by an adult.
Children aged 12 and under do not need a ticket, but must be accompanied by a ticket holding parent or guardian at all times. See the Family section for more information.
Organisers would recommend bringing ID as confirmation of your child’s age, a colour photocopy of a passport would be sufficient for this purpose.
Note you may be asked to prove your age with photo ID or you will be refused admission. Acceptable forms of proof are: Passport, Garda Age Card, Driving Licence.
Where can I eat?
There will be over 100 food stalls throughout the festival, offering everything from traditional pie and mash to pizza and freshly made tacos and a variety including vegetarian and vegan food.
Where can I drink?
There are free drinking water points throughout the campsites and arena and you can find these next to the toilet blocks.
There are also various bars around the site, with beer, spirits, soft drinks, wine and 0.0 options on offer.
Elsewhere, Casa BACARDÍ® have new drink options this year on top of the much-loved Bacardi Mojito, Bacardi Cuba Libre and Bacardi Mismo.
Can I use cash or card?
All bars will be operating contactless only.
ATM’s will be located in the Main Arena. They are open Friday 2pm – 2am, Satarday 11am – 2am and Sunday 11am – 2am.
Can I still buy tickets?
Tickets are sold out.
If you chose to retain your EP 2020 tickets for EP 2021, they are valid for Electric Picnic 2022.
Campsite lockers
Lockers and Storage Boxes will be available for storing your valuables all weekend in the Jimi Hendrix campsite.
Organisers recommend valuables such as cash, wallets, IDs, cameras etc are kept in lockers for extra security. Storage boxes are perfect for storing larger items such as alcohol, etc. If it fits in, they will store it!
Book your locker in advance to avoid disappointment, as lockers and storage boxes are limited!
Lost property
Any lost property found during the festival is taken to the Lost Property Cabin, located in the Jimi Hendrix campsite, near the Arena Entrance.
Fri 1pm – 9pm
Sat & Sun 9am – 9pm
Mon 9am – 1pm
Can I smoke or vape?
All enclosed spaces onsite are no smoking and no vaping.
This includes all stages (other than outdoor stages), all tents and marquees. If you do smoke, please use the butt bins to dispose of your cigarette ends responsibly, paying particular attention in wooded areas.
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