List of heavy metal festivals
Brutal Assault 2012
General Information
Related genresHeavy metal, punk rock, rock
LocationEurope and United States (origin)
Worldwide (current)
Related eventsPunk rock festival, rock festival

This is an incomplete list of heavy metal festivals. The genre of heavy metal (or simply metal) is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the United States and the United Kingdom.[1][2][3] With roots in blues rock and psychedelic rock, the first heavy metal bands such as Black Sabbath and Deep Purple attracted large audiences, and during the late 1960s and mid-1970s these bands and others in their genre were featured at a number of historic rock festivals.[4] Judas Priest helped spur the genre's evolution by discarding much of its blues influence.[5][6]

After the genre fused with other related genres such as punk rock in the late 1970s, bands in the new wave of British heavy metal such as Iron Maiden and Saxon followed in a similar vein. Before the end of the decade, heavy metal fans became known as "metalheads" or "headbangers", and there were festivals worldwide, both touring and stationary, dedicated to heavy metal subgenres and heavy metal itself. During the 1980s, glam metal became a commercial force, while Underground scenes and extreme subgenres of metal such as death metal and black metal remained subcultural phenomena, though they have their own dedicated festivals as well. Since the mid-1990s, popular styles have further expanded the definition of the genre.

Historical heavy metal festivals

Selected historically notable heavy metal festivals held since the 1960s
Festival name Location Years Details
Myponga Pop Festival Australia 1971 pop festival headlined by Black Sabbath
Monsters of Rock England 1980-1996 music festival held in Castle Donington (later it branched into other locations)
Dynamo Open Air Netherlands 1986–2005 biggest annual metal festival during the 1990s, with 118,000 visitors in 1995
Moscow Music Peace Festival Russia 1989 part of an era of momentous change in the Soviet Union
Wacken Open Air Germany 1990–present larger heavy metal festival
Sweden Rock Festival Sweden 1992–present classic rock, hard rock and metal
Graspop Metal Meeting Belgium 1996–present larger heavy metal festival
Download Festival England 2003–present Hard rock, heavy metal, punk
Bloodstock Open Air England 2001–present Heavy Metal festival
Hellfest Summer Open Air France 2006–present larger heavy metal festival

Current heavy metal festivals

Africa

Botswana

Festival name Location Active Approximate time of year Notes
Overthrust Winter Metal Mania Festival[7] Ghanzi 2010–present May featuring local and African metal bands

Asia

India

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Bangalore Open AirKarnataka 2012–present July
Thunderstrock Festival Ranchi, Jharkhand 2008–present September

Indonesia

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Brotherground Surabaya November–December deathmetal, metalcore, deathcore, hardcore, etc.
Hammersonic Festival Jakarta 2012–present March–April all heavy music
Hellprint Bandung 2011–present November–March all heavy music
Rock In Celebes Makassar 2010–present November rock genres
Rock in Solo Surakarta 2004–present October–November heritage metal

Japan

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Download Festival Chiba City 2019–present March
Loud Park Festival

Mongolia

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Noise Metal Fest Ulaanbaatar 2014–present April–May featuring local and international metal bands

Nepal

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Silence Fest Kathmandu 2011–present September & November featuring local and international metal bands

Europe

Austria

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Nova Rock Nickelsdorf 2005–present June
Kaltenbach Open Air 2003–present August

Belgium

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Graspop Metal MeetingDessel1996–presentEnd of JuneOne of the biggest metal festivals in Europe
Alcatraz Hard Rock & Metal Festival[8]Kortrijk2008–presentBeginning of AugustStarted indoor but changed to an outdoor festival in 2013
Huginns Awakening FestOostende2009–presentApril/MayThrash Speed Heavy metal festival
Headbanger's Balls FestIzegem2012–presentBeginning of May
Blast from the Past FestivalKuurne2013–presentDecemberOld school heavy metal festival
MetalworksfestKuurne2017–presentBeginning or mid March

Bulgaria

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Hills of Rock

Czech Republic

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Brutal AssaultJaroměř1996–presentAugustextreme metal, heavy metal, hardcore punk, experimental music
Masters of Rock (festival)Vizovice2003–presentJulyheavy metal, power metal
MetalfestPilsen2007–presentJuneheavy metal, power metal
Obscene ExtremeTrutnov1999–presentJulygrindcore, death metal, hardcore punk

Denmark

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
CopenhellCopenhagen2010–presentJunefeaturing death, thrash, black, doom, heavy, power metal and hard rock
Aalborg Metal FestivalAalborg2002–presentNovemberfeaturing death, thrash, black, doom, heavy, power metal and hard rock
Royal Metal FestAarhus2008–presentAprilfeaturing death, thrash, black, doom, heavy, power metal and hard rock
Viborg Metal FestivalViborg2014–presentMarchfeaturing death, thrash, black, doom, heavy, power metal and hard rock
Metal Magic FestivalFredericia2008–presentJulyfeaturing death, thrash, black, doom, heavy, power metal and hard rock

Estonia

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Hard Rock LaagerVana-Vigala2002–presentJuneThe biggest metal festival in Estonia[9]
Howls of WinterTallinn2014–presentFebruaryblack metal
Barbar FeastSaula2019–presentJulyThe most epic metal festival in Europe![10]

Finland

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Dark River FestivalKotkaAugustall subgenres of metal
John Smith Rock Festival[11]Laukaa2016–presentJulyThe best rock festival in Finland[12]
NummirockKauhajoki1987–presentJuneall subgenres of metal
SaarihelvettiTampereAugustall subgenres of metal
Steelfest Open AirHyvinkää2008–presentMayblack and death metal
Turku SaatanalleTurku2011–presentMarchblack metal
Tuska Open AirHelsinki1998–presentJulyall subgenres of metal

France

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Hellfest Summer Open AirClisson2006–presentJuneup to 60.000 people; all subgenres of Metal
Motocultor FestivalBrittany2007–presentAugustdeath, black, thrash metal
Plane'R FestColombier-Saugnieu2012–presentJulyall subgenres of Metal
Sylak Open AirSaint-Maurice-de-GourdansAugustall subgenres of Metal, hardcore

Germany

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Chronical Moshers Open AirHeinsdorfergrund1982–presentJuneup to 1.000 people; Death, Black and Thrash Metal
Dark Troll FestivalBornstedt2009-presentMayput to 1.200 people; Pagan, Black, Folk, Post, Melodic Death, Death Metal, Celtic Metal
Dong Open AirNeukirchen-Vluyn2001–presentJulyup to 5.000 people; all subgenres of Metal
ElbriotHamburg2013–presentAugustup to 12.000 people; Metal Festival in Hamburg[13]
Euroblast FestivalCologne2008–presentOctoberup to 12.000 people; Progressive and Avantgarde Metal
Full ForceLöbnitz1994–presentJulyput to 25.000 people; Hardcore, Metalcore, Punk and Metal
Impericon FestivalsLeipzig, Hamburg, Munich, Oberhausen2011-presentMarchup to 11.000 people each Festival; biggest indoor festivals in Europe; Metalcore
In Flammen Open AirTorgauJulyup to 6.000 people; Death, Black and Thrash Metal
Metal Bash FestivalNeu Wulmstorf2002-presentMayup to 1.000 people; Black, Dark, Thrash, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Punk Rock, Rock
Mammut FestivalKönigsbrunn2022-presentMarchmin. 500 people, but raises fast; all subgenres of Metal
Metal Frenzy Open Air FestivalGardelegen2014–presentJuneup to 5.000 people; Metal and Hard Rock
Party.San Metal Open AirSchlotheim1996-presentAugustup to 10.000 people; all subgenres of Metal
Ragnarök FestivalLichtenfels, Bavaria2004–presentAprilup to 4000 people; Black, Pagan, Viking, Death Metal
Rock am RingNürburgring, Adenau, Eifel1985-presentJuneup to 92.000 people; biggest rock festival in the world; Metalcore, Death Metal, Thrash, Heavy Metal, Punk Rock, Rock
Rock im ParkNürnberg1995-presentJuneup to 88.000 people; Metalcore, Death Metal, Thrash, Heavy Metal, Punk Rock, Rock
RockXplosionLeonberg1984-presentJulyup to 2.000 people; Death Metal, Metalcore, Hardcore Punk, Punk Rock
Rock Hard FestivalGelsenkirchen2003–presentJune7.000 people; Heavy, Power, Thrash and Death Metal
Rockharz Open AirBallenstedt1993/94-presentJulyup to 24.000 people; all subgenres of Metal
Rock um zu helfenFreiberg, SaxonyOctoberrock genres
Reload FestivalSulingen2006-presentAugustup to 15.000 people; Metal, Hardcore, Punk & Party
Summer Breeze Open AirDinkelsbühl1997–presentAugustup to 40.000 people; Death, Black, Thrash Metal
Under the Black SunFriesack near Berlin1997-presentJune or Julyup to 1000 people; Black Metal
Wacken Open AirWacken1990–presentAugustup to 85.000 people; largest metal festival in Germany; all subgenres of Metal

Italy

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Agglutination Metal FestivalChiaromonte1995–presentAugust

Latvia

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Zobens un LemessBauska2014–presentJunefolk, pagan, metal subgenres; 3 day festival

Lithuania

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
DevilstoneAnykščiai2009–presentJuly (mid)a retreat of freedom and rock & roll[14]
Kilkim ŽaibuVarniai1999–presentJune (end)black, Viking metal and folk music

Netherlands

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Amsterdam MetalfestAmsterdam2015–presentApril & Octoberone-day festival
Dynamo Open AirEindhoven2015–presentJuly
Into the GraveLeeuwarden2010–presentJune
MidsummerProgValkenburg2017–presentJune
ProgPower EuropeBaarlo1999–presentOctoberfeaturing power, progressive metal
Roadburn FestivalTilburg1999–presentAprillarge festival featuring doom, stoner, death, black metal
MetalyardArnhem2015–presentAprilindoor festival featuring thrash, heavy metal, death, black metal and so on.

Norway

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Inferno Metal FestivalOslo2001–presentAprilfeaturing black, death, thrash, doom metal
Karmøygeddon Metal FestivalKopervik2004–presentMaywide range of metal subgenres
GarasjefestivalReinsvoll2017–presentJulyblack, death, trash and other subgenres of metal

Poland

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Mystic Festival Gdańsk 1999; 2001-2003; 2005; 2007; 2019–present June Heavy metal music festival[15]
Siekiera fest Wrocław 2019–present September The very first festival of a kind featuring great Polish bands[16]

Portugal

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
HARDMETALFEST Mangualde 1997–present January featuring power, death, black, thrash, doom metal
Laurus Nobilis Music Famalicão 2015–present August featuring power, death, black, thrash, doom metal
Rock in Rio LisboaLisboa2004–presentMayfeaturing various genres
SWR Barroselas Metalfest Barroselas 1998–present April featuring power, death, black, thrash, doom metal
Vagos Metal FestCalvão2016–presentAugustfeaturing power, death, black, thrash, doom metal
Evil Live Lisboa 2009–present June featuring power, death, black, thrash, doom metal

Romania

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Artmania FestivalSibiu2006–present Augustart festival featuring heavy metal
Metalhead MeetingBucharest2013–present June/Julydeath metal, black metal, heavy metal
Rockstadt Extreme FestivalRasnov2013–present Augustdeath metal, black metal, heavy metal
Metal Gates FestivalBucharest2017–present Novemberdeath metal, black metal, doom metal
Posada Rock FestCampulung Muscel1986–present
Maximum Rock FestivalBucuresti2006–present Late Augustgothic metal, heavy metal, death metal

Russia

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Metal Over RussiaMoscowJuly3-day doom, death, black, dark, pagan, folk metal

Slovenia

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
MetaldaysVelenje2004–presentAugustpreviously known as Metalcamp and held in Tolmin, featuring death, black, folk, thrash metal
TolminatorTolmin2023–presentJulyall styles of metal, attendance capped at 5000 visitors

Spain

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Barcelona Rock FestBarcelona2014–presentJulyfeaturing hardcore, metalcore, thrash, death, black metal, punk
Leyendas del RockVillena2006–presentAugustmostly traditional, thrash, power and gothic metal
Resurrection FestViveiro2006–presentJulyfeaturing hardcore, metalcore, thrash, death, black metal, punk
Rock Imperium Cartagena 2022-present June mostly traditional, glam, power metal.
Z! Live Rock Fest Zamora 2016-present June mostly traditional, thrash and power metal.

Sweden

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Gefle Metal FestivalGävle2016–presentJulyall subgenres of metal
House of MetalUmeå2007–presentFebruary or Marchall subgenres of metal
Sweden Rock FestivalSölvesborg1992–presentJuneclassic rock, hard rock and metal
Huskvarna Metal FestJönköpingSpring and fallblack, death, thrash metal
High 5ive Summer Fest Stockholm 2018–present Summer Metalcore, Hardcore, Pop Punk, Post-hardcore, Deathcore

United Kingdom

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Bloodstock Open AirWalton-on-Trent, Derbyshire2005–presentAugustoutdoor festival featuring death, black, thrash, folk metal, with attendance of 13,000 (2013)
Damnation FestivalLeeds, England2005–presentNovemberone-day festival featuring death, black, thrash, doom metal
Download FestivalDonington Park, Leicestershire2003–presentJunelarge rock festival featuring hard rock, nu-metal, metalcore, death metal, black metal and pro wrestling from NXT UK
HammerfestPrestatyn, Wales2009–presentMarch
Hard Rock HellGwynedd, North Wales2007–presentNovemberThree day metal festival held at a resort[17]
Incineration Festival London, England 2014–present May extreme metal festival for fans of death metal, black metal, doom metal, thrash metal, and slam
Monsters of Rock
Stonedead Festival Newark, Notts, England 2018–Present August One Day, One Stage, One Monster Rock Show[18]

North America

Canada

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Hyperspace Metal Festival Vancouver April Canada's premier melodic & power metal festival
Gaspesian Metal Fest Matane June Underground metal festival

Mexico

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Candelabrum Metal Fest León September
Hell & Heaven Metal Fest Mexico City (Toluca) 2010–present November - December 3 Day Open-Air Metal Festival, featuring death, thrash, black, doom, heavy, power metal & hard rock
México Metal Fest Monterrey 2016–present November 1 Day
Total Death Over México Mexico City 2018–present May 3 Day Underground Death, Black Metal Festival

United States

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
98RockFestTampa, FL2007–presentAprilMetal, grunge and hard rock festival[19]
Aftershock FestivalSacramento, CA2012–presentOctoberHard rock and heavy metal festival[20]
AURA Fest[21]Savannah, GA2017–presentJuneAll Underground Rock All Day[22]
Full Terror Assault[23]Cave-In-Rock, IL2021–presentSeptemberEuropean style Open Air Festival for extreme music fans[24]
INKcarceration[25]Mansfield, OH2018–presentJulyRock music and tattoo festival[26]
Legions of Metal Fest[27]Chicago, IL2017–presentJune
Louder Than LifeLouisville, KY2014–presentSeptemberHard rock/heavy metal festival[28]
Mad With Power Fest[29]Madison, WI2018–presentAugustPower Metal/Traditional Heavy Metal festival[30]
Maryland DeathfestBaltimore, MD2003–presentMayExtreme Music[31]
Mass Destruction Metal Fest[32]Atlanta, GA2017–presentNovemberExtreme Metal Festival[33]
Milwaukee Metal Fest[34]Milwaukee, WI1987–2004, 2023–presentMay
ProgPower USAAtlanta, GA2001–presentSeptemberProgressive and Power Metal[35]
RocklahomaPryor, OK2007–presentSeptemberHard rock and metal festival[36]
Sick New World Festival[37]Las Vegas, NV2023–presentAprilNu-Metal Fest[38]
Sonic Temple Art & Music FestivalColumbus, OH2019, 2023–presentMayHard rock and metal festival[39]
Welcome to RockvilleDaytona Beach, FL2011-presentApril/MayHard rock and heavy metal music festival[40]

Oceania

Australia

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Download Festival Melbourne and Sydney 2018–present March Melbourne and Sydney in 2019
Blacken Open Air[41] Hale, Northern Territory 2016–present Various Open air 2 - 3 day festival, Not held in 2020 and 2021

South America

Brazil

Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Armageddon Metal Festival Joinville May/June

Tours

The following is an incomplete list of traveling metal festivals, both active and defunct:

See also

References

  1. ↑ Du Noyer (2003), p. 96; Weinstein (2000), pp. 11–13.
  2. ↑ "The History of Heavy Metal". musicianwave.com. 9 August 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  3. ↑ Weinstein (2000), pp. 14, 118.
  4. ↑ Fast (2005), pp. 89–91; Weinstein (2000), pp. 7, 8, 23, 36, 103, 104.
  5. ↑ Walser (1993), p. 6.
  6. ↑ "As much as Sabbath started it, Priest were the ones who took it out of the blues and straight into metal." Bowe, Brian J. Judas Priest: Metal Gods. ISBN 0-7660-3621-9.
  7. ↑ "African Heavy Metal Bands Give Back to their Communities". BORGEN. 10 September 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  8. ↑ "History". alcatraz.be. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  9. ↑ "Live Report: HARD ROCK LAAGER 2017 Festival: "A Hidden Treasure In Deep Forests Of Estonia"". metalshockfinland.com. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  10. ↑ "Barbar Feast 2023". barbarrockclub.com. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  11. ↑ "John Smith Rock Festival 2023 in Laukaa (FI)". festivalsunited.com. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  12. ↑ "John Smith Rock Festival". johnsmith.fi. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  13. ↑ "Elbriot Festival 2016". tilogo.com. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  14. ↑ "ABOUT". devilstone.net. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  15. ↑ "Mystic Festival 2023". musicfestivalwizard.com. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  16. ↑ "SIEKIERA festiwal". siekierafest.pl. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  17. ↑ "Hard Rock Hell 2002". musicfestivalwizard.com. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  18. ↑ "One Day, One Stage, One Monster Show". stonedeadfestival.co.uk. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  19. ↑ "98ROCKFEST lineup:". tampabay.com. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  20. ↑ "Aftershock Festival Featuring Guns N' Roses, Queens of the Stone Age, Megadeth, Tool, Incubus, Pantera, and More Taking Place This Fall". 955klos.com. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  21. ↑ "AURA Fest announces". savannahnow.com. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  22. ↑ "AURA Fest announces". savannahnow.com. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  23. ↑ "Full Terror Assault". fullterrorassault.com. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  24. ↑ "About". fullterrorassault.com. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  25. ↑ "INKcarceration". mansfieldnewsjournal.com. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  26. ↑ "Inkcarceration announces lineup for 2022 rock festival at Ohio State Reformatory". richlandsource.com. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  27. ↑ "Legions of Metal Fest". reggieslive.com. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  28. ↑ "REVIEW: Here's What We Experienced At Louder Than Life 2022". leoweekly.com. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  29. ↑ "Mad With Power Fest". madwithpowerfest.com. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  30. ↑ "Mad With Power Fest". madwithpowerfest.com. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  31. ↑ "About Deathfests". deathfests.com. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  32. ↑ "Mass Destruction". massdestructionmetalfest.com. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  33. ↑ "MASS DESTRUCTION METAL FEST". earsplitcompound.com. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  34. ↑ "Milwaukee Metal Fest". milwaukeemetalfestival.com. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  35. ↑ EvilG. "Heart of Steel: Interviews Glenn Harveston Organizer of ProgPower USA". Metal-Rules. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  36. ↑ "Rocklahoma To Include MEGADETH, ROB ZOMBIE, DEVILDRIVER And More This Year!". metalinjection.net. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  37. ↑ "Sick New World Festival". sicknewworldfest.com. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  38. ↑ "Sick New World Festival Announces 2024 Lineup". stereogum.com. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  39. ↑ "Sonic Temple 2023". consequence.net. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  40. ↑ "Welcome to Rockville gives first look at 2022 lineup". clickorlando.com. 8 December 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  41. ↑ "Blacken Open Air | Australia 2022". www.blackenfestival.com. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  42. ↑ "Headbangers Boat". headbangersboat.com. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  43. ↑ "Monsters of Rock Cruise 2024". monstersofrockcruise.com. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
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