DENYSHI, UKRAINE — The Stoned Climbers festival took place in late June or early July 2026 in Ukraine's Zhytomyr region, drawing over 500 attendees. The volunteer-run event, described as Ukraine's largest outdoor festival combining climbing and live music, directed all profits towards a fundraising initiative supporting Ukraine's Azov Brigade.

Festival-goers pitched tents on a camping ground located atop a steep granite cliff, situated about a two-hour drive west of Kyiv. Throughout the day, attendees engaged in activities such as climbing the 25-meter rock face, swimming in a nearby reservoir, and stand-up paddling. In the evenings, live bands and DJs performed rock and electronic music.

The festival, launched in 2023, saw its attendance grow from approximately 150 visitors to more than 500 people by 2026. Most of the attendees at the 2026 event were beginners or amateur climbers. Instructors were present to assist participants with fastening harnesses, chalking their hands, and identifying holds on the granite wall. Spectators, instructors, and climbers applauded when individuals reached the top of the cliff.

Dmytro Isaienko, a 39-year-old co-founder of the festival, stated, "We realized climbing could be much more than just a sport." He also noted, "It's about a specific way of life — in nature, camping, on the rocks." Isaienko said, "You need to get away from the war for a while." Visitors received multiple air raid alert notifications on their phones during the festival weekend; however, no Russian drones or missiles crossed the sky above the campsite. Soldiers on leave also attended the event.

Liliia Karpach, a 21-year-old participant from Ukraine's western Lviv region, attended her first Stoned Climbers festival. She said, "I decided to come because it had been a very long time since I'd climbed on real rocks." Karpach also expressed a desire to "meet the community in person and get to know new people." She advised, "If you're really nervous about coming on your own, invite some friends."

Andrii Lamei, an instructor at the festival, commented, "Climbing helps you work with stress." He added, "It helps you manage stressful situations in everyday life." Lamei, who cannot leave Ukraine due to wartime travel restrictions, also remarked, "But maybe this is how I'm forced to enjoy what I have here."