AURA FESTIVAL BULGARIA ANNOUNCES 2026 LINEUP AND MAJOR SITE EXPANSION AT SOFIA AIRPORT PARK

The genre-spanning lineup welcomes the likes of Armin Van Buuren, 999999999, ALOK, BIIA, ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U and more

19–21 June 2026 | 18:00–06:00

Sofia Airport Park

 

AURA Festival Bulgaria returns in 2026 with another immersive conceptual escape across an epic three-day programme from 19–21 June 2026. Taking place at a new location with expanded capacity and extended operating hours until dawn, this will be the most spectacular edition yet. 

 

Bulgaria and its diverse terrain has rapidly emerged as one of Europe’s fastest-growing festival destinations. The country attracts international audiences keen to soak up its distinctive cultural identity and endlessly scenic locations, all of which are easily accessible via many travel routes from across Europe. With AURA, the country continues to strengthen its position on the global circuit and with Bulgaria’s official adoption of the euro from 2026, travel is even more streamlined and tourism is more accessible than ever. 

 

This year, the festival relocates to Sofia Airport Park, marking a significant shift from previous editions with a new site that allows for overnight programming. The new location offers greater flexibility and a more suitable environment for large-scale immersive experiences. Events will run from 18:00 until 06:00, removing the 23:00 curfew that previously limited the festival, and with even more out of this world production, spectacular lights and world class sound systems. 

 

The 2026 edition is presented under the theme “Temple of EOS”, which forms part of AURA’s ongoing conceptual narrative. Across three nights, the site will be transformed into a multi-stage environment combining music, large-scale stage architecture and visual installations.

 

The Temple of EOS concept continues the festival’s wider story world and follows on from previous themes. It centres on light, reflection and transformation and each night is designed to function as a distinct chapter within a continuous experience across the weekend.

 

The 2026 lineup spans a wide spectrum of electronic music, from melodic and progressive sounds to high-intensity techno. Armin van Buuren brings his globally recognised trance-led approach, while Dimitri Vegas and ALOK represent festival-scale electronic and melodic house influences. Deeper and more atmospheric tones come from Mahmut Orhan, while the harder end of the programme is covered by Italian techno duo 999999999 and ground-breaking Japanese DJ ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U, who is known for high-tempo, multi-genre and rave-influenced sets with an energy unlike any other. Further programming details and stage breakdowns are expected to be announced in the coming months.

 

With its new location, extended hours and expanded production scope, AURA Festival 2026 marks a major evolution for the event as it enters its next chapter.

 

More information, tickets and updates will be available via official AURA Festival channels and their website; https://aurafestival.bg/

 

LINE UP
Armin van Buuren (21 June), Dimitri Vegas (20 June), Alok (19 June), Mahmut Orhan (19 June), 999999999 (20 June), ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U (20 June), BIIA (20 June), Laura van Dam (21 June), Jesabel (21 June), MATTN (20 June), Topic (19 June), Avalan Rokston (19 June), Youna (19 June), Gallya (21 June), Bobe (20 June), World Up DJs (Dimo BG, Milen DJ, Silver Ivanov, Vasco C) (19 June)

 

Aura Festival
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INTRODUCING APPLE MUSIC INTEGRATION FOR ALPHATHETA’S CDJ-3000X

Apple Music has announced an update enabling Apple Music integration with AlphaTheta’s next-generation multi-player, the CDJ-3000X.

With this update, the CDJ-3000X and its new StreamingDirectPlay feature give Apple Music subscribers access to over 100 million songs on Apple Music and the latest playlists on the platform. Once set up with CloudDirectPlay and signed into Apple Music on rekordbox, users can authenticate  quickly by simply holding a smartphone - logged into an Apple Music account via rekordbox for iOS/Android - over the NFC touch area on the front panel.

The CDJ-3000X builds on the heritage of the CDJ series - in addition to heightened precision, speed, and responsiveness, the 10.1-inch touch screen provides excellent visibility and intuitive browsing, enabling listeners and hobbyist DJs to search, preview, and select cloud-based tracks smoothly. With Apple Music compatibility, users can access millions of additional songs on demand, preview tracks on the spot, and refine what they play next. This launch expands the DJ with Apple Music ecosystem, giving users who subscribe to Apple Music seamless access to Apple Music as a tool for discovery, rehearsal, and creative growth. DJ with Apple Music also includes integrations across leading platforms such as Algoriddim’s djay Pro, Serato, and inMusic’s Engine DJ, Denon DJ, Numark, and RANE.

A dedicated DJ with Apple Music page is available now on platform, featuring curated playlists, platform guides, and tools to help users get the most from the CDJ-3000X integration. On AlphaTheta’s official Apple Music curator page, the AlphaTheta DJ Mix Curator Page, subscribers can find exclusive mixes and playlists curated by AlphaTheta for fresh inspiration and new ideas.

Apple Music’s commitment to DJ culture extends across programs like DJ Mixes - home to thousands of premium mixes from the world’s most influential DJs - and Apple Music Club, the 24-hour radio station available around the world dedicated to dance and electronic.

“AlphaTheta has long been at the forefront of music technology, pushing the boundaries of creativity in the space for over 30 years. We’re excited to have Apple Music integrated into the new CDJ-3000X, bringing the power of 100 million songs and our editorial curation to users around the world.” - Stephen Campbell, Global Head of Dance, Electronic & DJ Mixes

Full CDJ-3000X info HERE

Full rekordbox info HERE

HOSPITALITY ANNOUNCES MONUMENTAL BRISTOL HOMECOMING FOR HOSPITAL30 ON THE HARBOUR

Hybrid Minds, High Contrast, Metrik, London Elektricity, DJ Marky, Bryan Gee, Nu:Tone, Makoto & more set for a landmark D&B celebration.

Lloyds Amphitheatre, Bristol

Saturday 25 July 2026

Hospitality makes an unmissable return to Bristol this summer with HOSPITAL30 ON THE HARBOUR, an open-air celebration marking 30 years of Hospital Records. Taking place on Saturday 25th July at the Lloyds Amphitheatre for the first time in more than a year as part of the Siren Bristol summer series, this is a highly anticipated comeback of the brand’s Harbourside showcase. Following three back-to-back sold-out shows in the city in previous years, the stage is now set for another unmissable day in the mid-summer sunshine. 

Set against the iconic backdrop of Bristol’s waterfront, the Harbourside provides one of the city’s most impressive outdoor locations and is surrounded by the energy of the city centre, overlooking the harbour itself. The main stage will once again take its place in front of the Lloyds Amphitheatre, offering a large, open-air setting with easy access from Bristol Temple Meads and the wider city.

For this special anniversary edition, Hospitality will spotlight a vibrant spectrum of drum & bass talent from across the spectrum, celebrating the label’s ever-evolving identity across three decades. The main stage will serve as the heartbeat of the true Hospitality sound, featuring standout performances from Hybrid Minds, High Contrast, Fred V, Hoax, Pola & Bryson, Ryda and special guests DJ Marky, with Metrik and Lens also set to ignite the arena.

Meanwhile, Area 2 will be hosted by Nu:Tone’s newest venture, The Deep End, a contrasting, more intimate space curated for true heads and curious newcomers alike. Dedicated to the deeper side of D&B, it offers the freedom to explore, championing both timeless selections and forward-thinking sounds. Nestled beside local street-food vendors and the official Hospital Shop, it’s a zone built for connection, discovery and genuine musical exploration. Stand-out sets from pioneers London Elektricity, Bryan Gee, Nu:Tone & Makoto guide you through a music journey alongside new skool flavours from Winslow, Gabriella Bongo and Bassi b2b Charli Brix, whilst on hosting duties across both stages are Dynamite, Ayah Marar, Texas, Ruthless and PVC.

HOSPITAL30 ON THE HARBOUR proudly sits within the wider Siren Bristol summer series, the city’s flagship programme of open-air concerts at the Lloyds Amphitheatre. Siren brings together landmark live shows across genres in one of Bristol’s most iconic waterfront settings. The first announcement in the series for 2026 last year unveiled the highly anticipated return of The Maccabees who play on Thursday 23rd July, with another major event still to be announced. Together, the series showcases Bristol as a destination for world-class live music, uniting artists, fans and the city itself across a summer of standout cultural moments.

HOSPITAL30 ON THE HARBOUR also forms part of Hospital Records’ global 30th anniversary celebrations. Since its founding in 1996 by Tony Colman and Chris Goss, Hospital Records has grown into the world’s largest independent drum & bass label, recognised for its consistency, creative vision and the strong sense of community at the core of its music and events. Through its flagship brand Hospitality, the label has built a worldwide reputation for high-quality D&B experiences in London, the UK and across international cities.

Alongside the music, the site will host street-food traders, chill-out areas and festival pop-ups including the Hospital Shop, adding to Hospitality’s inclusive, community-led atmosphere that welcomes lifelong supporters and newcomers. With a long history of sell-out shows in Bristol alongside Bristol’s renowned Bass Music rave curators The Blast, this 2026 edition is set to bring thousands together for a sun-soaked celebration at one of the city’s most iconic waterfront locations.

Ticket information, artwork and further lineup details can be found at www.sirenbristol.com www.undivide.co.uk  / www.hospitalitydnb.com