Feel the buzz building? Hozier is returning for his tenth anniversary headline, Chappell Roan makes her Electric Picnic debut, Sam Fender and Fatboy Slim promise to light up Saturday, and Kings of Leon—along with pop powerhouse Becky Hill will close the weekend in unforgettable style.
The playlists are queued, the line-up is locked in, and your festival outfits are ready to go. Excitement is building—because this is it: Electric Picnic 2025, the biggest weekend of the summer, is about to light up Stradbally. For three unforgettable days, Laois will become Ireland’s festival capital, bursting with music, creativity, and pure energy.
Tents will rise, stages will roar, and the fields will fill with the unique buzz that only the Picnic can bring. From headline acts to hidden corners, food stalls to art installations, the festival is a feast for every sense. But the journey to Electric Picnic is part of the adventure too.
How you get here, where you stop along the way, and the local treasures you discover will shape your weekend just as much as the music. Laois has its arms wide open – ready to welcome thousands of festival-goers with food, culture, and friendly faces.
So before you step through the gates, here’s how to plan your trip, pack smart, and experience the very best of Laois on your way to Stradbally.
Getting There: Smooth, Smart, Local
By Train
Take the train to Portlaoise, where festival shuttle buses run every 30 minutes directly to the site. It’s quick, easy, and stress-free.
By Bus with Martley’s of Portlaoise
Local favourite Martley’s are running a huge fleet of buses across Portlaoise all weekend, making sure festival-goers can reach Stradbally with ease.
Martley’s will be running loads of buses from Portlaoise, to and from the festival all weekend long. It’s just €8 each way, pay as you go, and we accept cash, card, or contactless payments. No need to book in advance, just pay at the bus and hop on board! See updated timetable below.
By Car
Driving down the M7? Make the journey part of the fun.
An Garda Síochána will prioritise the official event routing. To avoid delays, do not rely on Sat-Nav or Google Maps as there are road closures and diversions in place around the event site that will affect your route to the event.
Keep an eye out for the white event direction signs from the moment you leave the motorway — they’ll guide you the whole way.
- Junction 17 Plaza – fuel up with a quick Supermac’s stop.
- Treacy’s in The Heath – a sit-down meal before the madness.
- The Gandon Inn at Junction 15 – home to an award-winning chicken fillet roll
Parking is free.
Car parks will be open for early entry ticket holders from 14:00 on Thursday the 28th of August, and then for general ticket holders from 9:00 on Friday 29th of August until 16:00 Monday 1st September 2025. The car park is staffed 24 hours a day during this period.
Full Travel info available on the EP WEBSITE!
Stock Up Before You Go
Heading through Portlaoise? Drop into Mulhall’s SuperValu to grab all your festival essentials – snacks, toiletries, camping gear, and those little things you’re bound to forget.
Festival Essentials Checklist
Electric Picnic is a cashless event, so leave the coins at home and make sure your card or mobile payment is ready. And don’t forget these must-haves:
- Wellies & Trainers – dance, rain, mud: be ready for it all. ( SOLAS in Portarlington is a must)
- Portable Power Bank – keep your phone charged for the line-up, photos, and finding your friends.
- Reusable Water Bottle – refill points are everywhere. (Try Nook & Cranny on Main Street Portlaoise)
- Tent & Sleeping Gear – waterproof and comfortable.
- Festival Style – layers, ponchos, sunglasses, and glitter – this is Electric Picnic after all! (local charity shops/ thrift stores are a great bet like Oxfam or the SVDP in Stradbally)
- Extras – wet wipes, earplugs, snacks, and a small first-aid kit.
Just outside Stradbally, Ballykilcavan Brewery has released a brand-new limited edition Gatecrasher IPA to celebrate the festival. It’s not available inside the gates, so show some local love and pick one up before or after the weekend.
And if you need anything on-site, the festival now has a brand-new shop at the Andy Warhol campsite – stocked like a regular store with snacks, camping gear, and coffee.
Tune In, Map Out & Soak It All Up
Once you’re on site, it’s not just about pitching your tent—it’s about diving into everything Electric Picnic has to offer.
Make sure you’ve:
- Checked the Festival Map – Download the official app or grab a printed map on arrival. With so many stages, art trails, food villages, and hidden corners, knowing your way around makes all the difference.
- Planned Your Music Journey – From international headliners to Ireland’s next big acts, every hour is packed with choice. Highlight your must-see artists, but leave space for serendipity—sometimes the smallest stage delivers the biggest memory.
- Celebrated Local Talent – Electric Picnic is proud to showcase performers from right here in Laois. Keep an eye on the line-up for homegrown names adding a local heartbeat to the festival’s global stage.
- Savour the Flavours at the Laois Tent – Don’t miss the Laois Tent, serving up the very best of local food producers and artisan flavours. It’s the perfect place to refuel while sampling a true taste of the county.
- Explored Beyond the Music – Comedy, wellness, spoken word, theatre, late-night wonderlands—the Picnic is full of surprises beyond the music. Be curious, wander, and let the festival unfold.
New for 2025: What’s Different This Year?
Every year Electric Picnic evolves, and 2025 is no exception. If you’ve been before, here are the updates you won’t want to miss:
- The Andy Warhol Campsite Shop Expansion – This year, the on-site shop is bigger and better, with a proper coffee station, hot snacks, and festival merch alongside essentials like camping gear and toiletries. No more last-minute dashes into town!
- Eco-Friendly Upgrades – Sustainability is at the heart of EP 2025. Expect more recycling stations, compostable food packaging, and reusable cup schemes across bars. Even shuttle buses are greener, with part of the fleet now electric.
- The Laois Stage – A brand-new addition spotlighting homegrown acts, poets, and storytellers, giving festival-goers the chance to experience the cultural heartbeat of Laois without leaving the site.
- Wellness Village 2.0 – Yoga, breathwork, sound baths, and guided morning runs are all on the menu, with extended hours so you can recharge both body and mind between sets.
- Late-Night Surprises – After the headliners, the festival transforms. From secret raves in The Woods to new immersive light installations, the after-dark lineup is set to be more magical than ever.
Whether it’s your first time or your tenth, EP 2025 is bringing more comfort, more creativity, and more Laois soul than ever before.
Explore a Little More
Electric Picnic is unforgettable—but so is Laois. If you’ve got a spare hour or two, take a quick trip to:
- The Rock of Dunamase – a dramatic medieval ruin with sweeping views, just off the Portlaoise–Stradbally road.
- Timahoe Round Tower – a beautifully preserved 12th-century tower, steeped in history and just minutes from the festival.
- And if you’re still hunting for somewhere to stay, there’s limited last-minute accommodation available at the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel—perfect for a comfortable base close to the action.
Electric Picnic 2025 is more than a festival – It’s a celebration of Laois itself. From the buses and shops that welcome you, to the food, heritage, and hidden gems just beyond the fields, we hope you feel welcome.
Whether you come for the music, stay for the memories, or return for the warm Laois welcome – this is your invitation to be part of something special.
We can’t wait to welcome you to Stradbally, Co. Laois this summer.
In case your not 100% up to date – Check out the Offical EP line up poster below.
