Your wristband that you receive at the gate to Shambhala Music Festival can now act as a digital wallet using RFID technology. Just tap it to pay for anything at the festival.

All major credit cards are accepted, including Visa Debit. However, standard debit cards are not compatible with the RFID system and cannot be loaded onto the wristband.

Yes, RFID registration is optional!

Vendors will still accept physical credit or debit card or phone tap payments, however, we highly recommend registering for RFID to ensure you can pay seamlessly across the entire festival.

The following payment methods will be accepted on the Farm:

- RFID (use is optional)

- Credit Cards (domestic and international)

- Debit Cards (domestic and US)

- Visa Debit Cards

- Payment via Apple Pay and Google Pay.

When guests do not have access to credit or debit cards and there is no other method, the festival will continue to accept cash in person at the RFID Help Tent. Cash can be loaded in exchange for credit onto the RFID Wristband, where absolutely necessary. The use of cash is discouraged as it is less secure than other payment methods available. 

Please note: RFID and cash will not be accepted at the gate. Please bring an alternative payment method for Early Entry and Parking Upgrades.

When guests do not have access to credit or debit cards and there is no other method, the festival will continue to accept cash in person at the RFID Help Tent. Cash can be loaded in exchange for credit onto the RFID Wristband, where absolutely necessary. 

There will be no ATMs on-site this year, so if you plan to use cash, be sure to bring it with you.

The use of cash is discouraged as it is less secure than other payment methods available. Cash balances are not protected by a PIN. For this reason, we strongly recommend using an alternative payment method. If you do load cash and happen to lose your wristband, please come to the RFID Help Tent immediately. We’ll confirm your identity, cancel your lost wristband, issue you a new one, and transfer your cash balance over.

Payment method options may vary by vendor. Some artisan vendors may still accept cash, but all food vendors are cashless.

You can set it up before you even receive your wristband at the gate! Create an RFID account here and add a payment method in advance. It takes just a couple of minutes. You will link your wristband to your account during your first payment on the farm.

Step 1: Set up your RFID account, choose a 4-digit PIN, and link your credit card. Use the phone number you'll have on the farm.

Step 2: Get your RFID-enabled wristband when you arrive.

Step 3: Activate - At your first purchase, give your phone number and PIN to link your wristband to your account (one-time setup).

Step 4: Tap to Pay - After activation, just tap your wristband and enter your PIN to pay. Charges go to your linked card.

Step 5: Manage Your Account - Log in anytime to track spending, update payment info, and view receipts.

You don’t need to load any funds onto your wristband. It’s directly linked to your credit card, so payments are processed automatically and there is no credit balance stored on your RFID. Just tap your wristband and enter your PIN - that’s it!

Regarding post-festival balances remaining on your RFID: 

If you have linked a Credit Card, you will never carry a balance on your RFID, as charges are processed directly to your card. For credit card purchases that need to be refunded, these refunds will follow standard payment processing timelines.

If you load cash onto your RFID and have a remaining balance after the festival, a refund will be possible, but only through a post-event request process. Refunds will not be available on-site, and banking fees may apply. We welcome guests from over 30 countries and there’s no universal refund system, so you’ll need to contact Shambhala after the festival to initiate your refund. More details on how to do this will be shared in the coming weeks. This is why we strongly recommend using a credit card or other digital payment method whenever possible.

We’ve teamed up with Ronin RFID to keep your payments safe. When you set up your cashless profile, your card details are stored securely by the payment provider - not on your wristband or at the sales terminal. Your wristband simply connects to a secure code (called a token) that lets you make payments without exposing your actual card info.

Your PIN protects your wristband - even if it’s lost, copied or stolen, no one can make purchases without your Personal Identification Number (PIN). This applies only to credit cards. 

‍Important note: Cash balances are not protected by a PIN. For this reason, we strongly recommend using an alternative payment method. If you do load cash and happen to lose your wristband, please come to the RFID Help Tent immediately. We’ll confirm your identity, cancel your lost wristband, issue you a new one, and transfer your cash balance over.

You can still set up on-site. Just scan a QR code at the gate or visit a Help Tent.

Multiple people (such as a couple) can add the same credit card to their wristbands. However, any cash balance or promo balance that is loaded onto your band can only be used on your band. Cash balances cannot be transferred to other festival guests.

If you run out of funds, you will have the option to complete payment with a different method.

Yes. The Shambhala Music Festival wristband is waterproof and designed to withstand various weather conditions and activities during the festival.