Planning a visit to UNTOLD Festival in Cluj-Napoca? The festival runs at Cluj Arena and surrounding venues from 6 to 9 August 2026, with Sting, The Chainsmokers, Carl Cox and more. Ticket sales are underway, so plan your purchase and organise your arrival in advance
UNTOLD ONE opens a new festival story in the heart of Cluj-Napoca
UNTOLD Festival returns to Cluj-Napoca from August 6 to 9, 2026, with the "UNTOLD ONE" concept. The eleventh edition continues to combine stadium-scale productions, electronic music, major pop and rap performances, and nighttime programs in indoor and outdoor venues around Cluj Arena and "Simion Bărnuțiu" Central Park.
The festival's identity is not tied to just one musical area. The Main stage hosts performers capable of leading a major stadium show, Galaxy focuses on techno and club energy, Alchemy brings together rap, bass, and drum and bass programming, while Daydreaming creates a more relaxed space for house, melodic, and live electronic sets. Time, Tram, Retro, FORM, and Soul Circle further expand the program, allowing a day to move from a major concert to a specialized DJ set or an activity away from the main concert crowds.
Tickets for this event are in high demand.
The first day brings Sting, The Chainsmokers, Carl Cox, and Gramatik
For visitors with a one-day ticket for Thursday, August 6, the published daily program has a very clear arc. Sting brings a catalog of original work that connects rock, pop, reggae, and sophisticated live performance. The Chainsmokers represent a festival crossover between electronic production and pop songs, while Carl Cox leads the audience toward techno and club tradition. Gramatik adds a layer of funk, hip-hop, and electronic beats.
The published daily schedule for the rest of the weekend further demonstrates the program's breadth. Friday's highlighted names include Zara Larsson, Swae Lee, Kygo, Marshmello, Sebastian Ingrosso, Gordo, and Pendulum DJ Set. Saturday includes Lewis Capaldi, Martin Garrix, Lost Frequencies, Mau P, Holy Priest, Joseph Capriati, Denzel Curry, and Camo & Krooked. The final day brings Flo Rida, Steve Aoki, a joint performance by Afrojack and R3HAB, MRAK, Sara Landry, and Andy C.
How the main festival stages differ
- Main - a stadium stage for the biggest live performers, pop stars, and leading names in electronic music.
- Galaxy - an indoor venue focused on techno and long club sets; prominent names in the 2026 program include Carl Cox, Gordo, Mau P, Joseph Capriati, and Sara Landry.
- Alchemy - a zone where hip-hop, rap, drum and bass, and bass music come together, with performers such as Denzel Curry, Pendulum DJ Set, Camo & Krooked, and Andy C.
- Daydreaming - a stage for house, melodic sounds, and hybrid performances; announced names include WhoMadeWho, Shimzu, Major League DJz, Mano Le Tough, Jan Blomqvist, and Sébastien Léger.
- Soul Circle, Time, Tram, Retro, and FORM - spaces for smaller formats, local names, retro programming, more experimental sets, and additional activities.
Cluj Arena and Central Park make the festival part of the city
The center of the event is located around Cluj Arena at Aleea Stadionului 2. In its regular configuration, the stadium has 30,201 seats, but the festival layout does not end at the stands and the field. The complex extends toward "Simion Bărnuțiu" Central Park, an area beside the Someșul Mic River, and toward BTarena, which provides a completely different indoor atmosphere for electronic programs.
It is worth securing tickets in good time.
One-day, four-day, and VIP tickets do not offer the same experience
A one-day ticket is valid only for the selected festival day. Thursday is especially appealing to an audience that wants a combination of Sting, The Chainsmokers, Carl Cox, and Gramatik without committing to a four-day stay. The published rules state that a daily ticket is valid from 16:00 to 05:00. It cannot be exchanged for another day, so it is important to check the daily performer allocation carefully before purchasing.
A four-day General Access pass provides entry on all four days and access to the stages and public zones, including Food & Drinks and partner activations. Such a ticket makes sense for visitors who want to follow the development of the program from Thursday to Sunday and combine different genres without the pressure of fitting everything into one night.
The VIP offer adds priority entry and an elevated platform overlooking the Main stage. The VIP area includes separate bars, hospitality zones, the option to reserve a table, and additional services. This does not mean that a VIP ticket replaces exploring the rest of the festival; its main value is a higher level of comfort around the Main stage and separate access when entering.
Wristband, check-in, and entry without unnecessary waiting
Before accessing the festival area, the ticket is exchanged for a wristband. Collection requires a completed online check-in and a valid original identification document. The wristband is placed directly on the owner's wrist, so it cannot be collected for another person. Wristbands for one-day tickets are issued only on the day for which the ticket is valid.
The main collection point in Cluj-Napoca is located in "Simion Bărnuțiu" Central Park. During the festival, from August 6 to 9, the published opening hours of the point are from 15:00 to 03:00. Visitors with a General Access wristband enter through the Hungarian Opera entrance, while VIP guests have a separate line at the same entry point.
The festival area opens at 16:00. The rules allow a maximum of two entries during one day, which should be considered before leaving the zone. A one-day ticket for the first day expires at 05:00, so the late-night program should be planned together with the journey back to the accommodation.
Minor visitors aged 7 to 18 must have a completed and signed parental consent form when collecting their wristband. Additional accompaniment rules apply to younger age groups, and children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. Because access conditions may be updated immediately before the event, the documents should be checked before departure rather than only while waiting in the wristband line.
What to bring and what to leave at the accommodation
For a festival like this, fewer belongings usually mean a faster security check and easier movement through the crowd. The published rules limit a backpack or bag to a maximum of 29 x 21 x 12 centimeters. A large travel bag is neither a practical nor a permitted substitute for a cloakroom.
- Bring your ticket in digital form, an original identification document, and the required parental consent form.
- Pets, water brought in from outside, and sprays are not permitted.
- A flag is permitted only without a pole.
- Special food required because of an allergy or intolerance requires medical proof.
- For certain medicines and medical aids, a document explaining their use and daily dose is required.
- Mirrorless cameras are permitted for photography, while DSLR equipment is not listed as permitted.
Payment, food, and rest between performances
Payment inside the festival is linked to the wristband. Funds can be added in advance or at Credit Point locations in the festival zone, with payment by card or cash. Any remaining amount can be refunded according to the procedure published for wristbands, so the wristband should be kept undamaged until the refund has been completed.
Arriving by public transport is more practical than looking for parking
Cluj Arena is located in the central part of the city, but the festival brings temporary road closures and traffic diversions around Central Park. CTP Cluj-Napoca announced changes from July 31 until August 17 at 04:30. Bus routes 26, 26L, 27, 28, 28B, 41, and 44 operate on diverted routes, while the Cluj Arena and Parcul Central stops are temporarily out of service on the affected routes. The changes also include tram lines 102 and 102L.
For this reason, relying on the usual route saved in an application before the journey is not sufficient. On the day of arrival, visitors should check the current route and choose a stop at the edge of the closed zone, after which continuing on foot is the simplest option.
Travelers landing in Cluj-Napoca can use bus routes A1E, 5, and 8 from the international airport to the city. The airport states that the journey by car to the city center takes around 30 minutes under normal conditions, but festival traffic may change the duration of the final part of the journey. Arriving with extra time is more important than trying to reach the entrance at the exact minute.
When traveling by private car, it does not make sense to expect parking in the immediate vicinity of Cluj Arena. Traffic restrictions, suspended stops, and pedestrian flows mean that it is more reasonable to park farther from the festival core or use public transport. The return route should be prepared before entering, especially when staying until 05:00.
How to turn a first visit into a well-organized festival day
UNTOLD is large, but its size does not have to be a problem. The most time is lost when a group has not agreed on a stage, meeting point, and priority performers. Before arrival, each group member should know which two performances are essential and which ones are alternatives if the schedules overlap.
A practical plan for a one-day ticket may look like this:
- Collect the wristband before the largest evening rush and prepare the documents before arriving at the collection point.
- After entering, locate Main, Galaxy, and Alchemy and note the walking time between them.
- Choose a permanent meeting point that is not directly beside the busiest stage exit.
- Leave at least one free block for food, charging the phone, and changing the plan.
- Before the final set, check nighttime transport and the distance to the taxi pick-up point or accommodation.
Places are disappearing quickly.
Cluj-Napoca before and after the festival program
Cluj-Napoca is a compact city in Transylvania with a historic center, a university population, and a developed cultural scene. Central Park connects the festival complex with the city streets, so the daytime part of the stay can be organized without long transfers. Unirii Square, St. Michael's Church, Bánffy Palace, and the cafés in the center are within walking distance of the wider festival zone.
Sources:
- UNTOLD - dates, the "UNTOLD ONE" concept, list of stages, entry rules, wristbands, ticket types, VIP amenities, payment, and restrictions on items brought inside
- DJ Mag - third place in the Top 100 Festivals 2026 ranking and a description of the festival's identity
- Rolling Stone UK - the daily allocation of highlighted performers and the programming profile of the stages
- Cluj Arena - the stadium's address and capacity
- CTP Cluj-Napoca - temporary changes to bus and tram routes during the festival period
- Cluj International Airport - public transport routes between the airport and the city
- Cluj Tourism - the location and character of "Simion Bărnuțiu" Central Park and the context of the host city