Same Same But Different Unveils 2026 Nakey Island

By Kaitlyn Reda | July 25, 2026

Same Same But Different is bringing back Nakey Island in 2026, one of its most unique experiences. Nakey Island is a private, boat-access-only escape that is located right across the water from the main festival grounds at Lake Perris. How does this work exactly? Well, you will take a ferry in from the festival dock, take a ride across the open water, and then the island will show. Revealing a world of hidden beaches, open-air dance floors, and a small world that operates on its own rules, for the entirety of the weekend.

Access will be available through the Nakey Island Passport, which will include unlimited ferry rides to and from the island through the entire weekend, so that attendees can cross the island whenever they feel it calls to them, day or night; they can go across (for Limitless Passholders, they are already covered, no separate passport required.) Once the sun starts to set behind the beautiful mountains, leaving nothing but a ray of golden silk on everyone’s skin, that’s when the real fun starts. The crossing then becomes part of the ritual: banana-boat rides gliding across the water, first sightings of the island’s silhouette, and the unmistakable feeling of leaving the main festival grounds all disappear.

Nakey Island itself runs its own stage, and its own rules: every artist who plays the island only plays the island. These sets will not be repeated anywhere else at Same Same But Different. Sounds will travel between different styles of Funk, House, and feel-good grooves curated by Almost Nakey, built for those barefooted afternoons and those perfect unplanned sunrise moments.

SSBD Lineup:

AB3D · Amadeezy · AndreasOne · Bad Tongue · Boo · Cocoa Crescendo · Curly Brown (b2b MNTRA & Tchilt) · Deezy · Dükank · FMLY BZNS Takeover · Honey Bun (Special Guest Announcement) · Jungle Haus · Kale · Kyro · One Lovell · More TBA

Nakey Island also provides a world for attendees to step into. Some of it is scheduled, some of it you’re meant to stumble into on the best side quest you’ll ever have. On the island this year there’s:

  • Sound Healing
  • Breathwork
  • Guided Movement
  • Tea & Snacks
  • Survival Workshops
  • Massage & Chiropractic care by The Festival Chiropractors
  • Saturday Morning Run Club
  • Kayak Races
  • Daily Treasure Hunts
  • Coconut Confessionals

When you add in the tucked-away beaches, cabanas, scenic hiking trails, and the signature “Top of the Island” photo moment, the island then becomes a full second festival hiding across the water waiting for its attendees to adventure on it.

At a time when many festivals are competing on lineup size alone, SSBD continues to build its identity around immersive environments, community-driven programming, and unexpected experiences that extend beyond the stage in many different ways. Who knows, maybe you’ll find what you didn’t know you needed somewhere on the island.

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