Kappa CULTR: India’s experimental three-day electronic music and culture festival is back for its third edition this 20 – 22 February, 2026. CULTR is returning to Bolgatty Palace, Kochi for another celebration of sound, art, and lifestyle. In just two editions, CULTR has shown what an electronic music festival can look like in South India. CULTR has steadily evolved its identity, bringing together cutting-edge global artists and vibrant local voices under one sprawling canvas.
The festival’s journey began with a standout inaugural edition in 2024 with headlining performances from Miss Monique, Silver Panda and Ash Roy. 2025 elevated that momentum with acts like Giorgia Angiuli, Hannes Bieger, Olympe4000, Roman Kyn, and Victor Ruiz.
CULTR’s identity has been about bringing together sound, culture, and community in a way that feels distinctly alive. In 2026, that ethos manifests through an expanded international lineup and deep engagement across creative disciplines.
Line-up: CULTR 2026
This year’s roster is the festival’s most ambitious to date. It features 27 artists across techno, progressive, melodic house, and psychedelic sounds. At the top sit three headliners whose careers represent distinctly different genres within electronic music, setting the tone for the weekend.
Bart Skils brings uncompromising, high-pressure techno straight from Drumcode, a label synonymous with modern European club culture. His set signals peak-time intensity and precision, rooted firmly in the global techno circuit.
From Argentina, Ezequiel Arias represents the deeper, more melodic end of the spectrum. With releases on Sudbeat Music, Anjunadeep, The Soundgarden, Balance Series and Plattenbank Records, Arias has steadily built a reputation for emotionally rich, hypnotic productions that thrive in long-form sets.
Completing the trio is Liquid Soul, a pioneering figure in psychedelic progressive trance. Active since the late 1990s and closely associated with Iboga Records, the Swiss artist has been instrumental in shaping the global psy scene. His sets bring a distinctly expansive, consciousness-driven energy, adding another dimension to the festival’s musical identity.
Beyond the headliners, CULTR 2026 continues to spotlight artists who sit at the intersection of global credibility and regional influence. The lineup includes Anyasa, Anushka, Carbon, Elias Mazian, Hamza Rahimtula b2b Unnayanaa. Also, Kohra b2b Midnight Traffic, Mogasu b2b Baawra, Tim Taste, Solee, and Racing Nokia, each contributing their own interpretation of melodic, progressive, and techno-led sounds.
The broader roster includes Benkii, Fushi, Jibin James, John Johnson, Kiss Nuka, Monophonik, Obscuit, Rafiki, Sacred Seeds, Shantam, and Tasnneem, reinforcing CULTR’s commitment to thoughtful curation.
Dual Stages: One Festival
CULTR Stage
This is where CULTR hosts the festival’s global headliners and high-impact performances, delivering large-scale production without sacrificing musical integrity. It serves as the festival’s central gathering space, where International and Indian acts come together under one vision.
Kappa × Maushi Stage
Designed as a meeting point between techno innovation and regional musical heritage. This stage highlights forward-thinking club sounds while grounding them in a distinctly Indian context. Named in partnership with Maushi: a creative community and electronic events collective based out of Pune. This space emphasizes daytime showcases, experimental sets, that reflect CULTR’s deeper artistic ethos.
The Five Cultural Identities of CULTR
At the heart of Kappa CULTR lies its belief that a festival should function as a living ecosystem. Music remains the foundation, with CULTR Music bringing together 27 artists across techno, melodic house, experimental electronica, psy-influenced sounds, and bass-driven club music. It balances international names with some of India’s compelling live acts. This musical framework is expanded through CULTR Art. One where contemporary installations and interactive visual experiences are woven into the festival landscape. It transforms the venue into an evolving canvas that reshapes how the space is experienced.
Beyond sound and visuals, CULTR widens its cultural scope through carefully curated experiences that encourage participation and expression. CULTR Food, curated by Alex Jo Scaria, moves beyond standard festival fare with a culinary program that reflects Kochi’s coastal heritage while incorporating global influences. CULTR Fashion, led by Strada Sutairer, positions style as both identity and expression, with designer showcases, pop-ups, and curated aesthetics embedded throughout the festival grounds. Completing the ecosystem, CULTR Games, curated by Versus Experience, introduces interactive play zones and immersive gaming elements.
Looking Ahead to CULTR 2026
With its third edition, CULTR 2026 continues to refine its identity, balancing international credibility with a strong sense of place. The lineup brings together artists operating at very different frequencies. The dual-stage setup and broader cultural framework allow those sounds to unfold without compromise. As CULTR grows, it remains rooted in the idea that festivals can be immersive cultural spaces and an environment to which can people return to year after year.
Phase 1 tickets are now live, offering full three-day access for the complete festival experience, with individual day-wise tickets also available for those looking to come on specific days. For updates, announcements, and behind-the-scenes moments, follow Kappa CULTR on Instagram.
