List of heavy metal festivals

This is an incomplete list of heavy metal festivals. Heavy metal (or simply metal) is a genre of rock music[1] that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the United States and the United Kingdom.[2] 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.[3] Judas Priest helped spur the genre's evolution by discarding much of its blues influence.[4][5]

Main articles: Rock festival and Heavy metal music
List of heavy metal festivals
General Information
Related genresHeavy metal, punk rock, rock music
LocationEurope and United States (origin)
Worldwide (current)
Related eventspunk rock festival, rock festival

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)
Rock in Rio Brazil 1985–present 1.5 million people attended the first event.
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
Exit Festival Serbia 2000–present Exit 2006 had 22 stages.
Download Festival England 2003–present heavy metal and alt-rock focus
Hellfest Summer Open Air France 2006–present larger heavy metal festival

Current heavy metal festivals

Botswana
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Overthrust Winter Metal Mania Festival[6] Ghantsi 2010–present May featuring local and African metal bands

Namibia
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Swakop Rocks Swakopmund 2019-present September 1 day festival - Rock / Hard Rock / Punk
MothFest Swakopmund 2021-present February 1 day Rock / Hardrock / Metal

India
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Bangalore Open AirKarnataka 2012–present July
NH7 Weekender 2010–present
Thunderstrock Festival Ranchi, Jharkhand 2008–present September

Indonesia
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Bandung BerisikBandung1995–presentJune–September
Brotherground Surabaya November–December deathmetal, metalcore, deathcore, hardcore, etc
Doomsday Open Air Bandung October all heavy music
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

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

Philippines
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Pulp Summer Slam Quezon City 2001–present April large festival featuring metalcore, hardcore, thrash, death metal

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

Belgium
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Graspop Metal Meeting Dessel 1996–present End of June One of the biggest metal festivals in Europe
Alcatraz Metal Festival Deinze, Kortrijk since 2013 2008–present Beginning of August Started indoor but changed to an outdoor festival in 2013
Headbanger's Balls Fest Izegem 2012–present Beginning of May
Blast from the Past Festival Kuurne 2013–present December Old school heavy metal festival
Metalworksfest Kuurne 2017–present Beginning 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
Fluff FestRokycany2000–presentJulyhardcore punk, grindcore, crust punk, sludge metal, metalcore, post-metal
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–presentJuneall subgenres of metal and rock
Howls of WinterTallinn2014–presentFebruaryblack metal

Finland
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Dark River FestivalKotkaAugustall subgenres of metal
John Smith Rock FestivalLaukaa2016–presentJulyheavy metal, rock
NummirockNummijärvi1987–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–presentJunelarge festival, metal of all types
Motocultor FestivalBrittany2007–presentAugustdeath, black, thrash metal
Plane'R FestColombier-Saugnieu, Montcul2012–presentJulymetal of all types
Sylak Open AirSaint-Maurice-de-GourdansAugustmetal of all types, hardcore

Germany
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Bang Your Head!!!Balingen1996–presentJulyheavy, thrash, death metal
Chronical Moshers Open AirMühlteich Hauptmannsgrün1982–presentJunedeath/black/thrash
Dong Open AirNeukirchen-Vluyn2001–presentJulyall styles of metal
ElbriotHamburg2013–presentAugustone-day festival featuring rock, heavy metal, hardcore punk
Euroblast FestivalCologne2008–presentOctoberprogressive rock/metal
IN FLAMMEN Open AirTorgauJulydeath/black/thrash metal
Metal Frenzy Open Air FestivalGardelegen, Saxony-Anhalt2014–presentJune
Party.San Metal Open AirSchlotheim, Thuringia2005–presentAugustdeath, black, thrash metal
Ragnarök FestivalLichtenfels, Bavaria2004–presentAprilpagan, viking, black, death metal
Rhön Rock Open AirHünfeld-Oberfeld, Hesse2017–presentAugust
Rock Hard FestivalGelsenkirchen2003–presentJuneheavy metal
Rock um zu helfenFreiberg, SaxonyOctoberrock genres
Summer Breeze Open AirDinkelsbühl1997–presentAugustdeath, black, thrash metal
Wacken Open AirWacken1990–presentAugustlargest metal festival in Germany
With Full ForceLöbnitz1994–presentJulyhardcore, metalcore, punk, and metal

Greece
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Rockwave FestivalLamia, Athens1996–presentAugust

Hungary
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
RockmaratonDunaújváros1991–presentJuly

Mostly Hungarian bands(Black, Thrash, Metalcore, Deathcore, Punk rock)

Iceland
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
EistnaflugNeskaupstaður2005–presentJulyfeaturing death, black, thrash metal and other rock music

Italy
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Agglutination Metal FestivalChiaromonte1995–presentAugust
Gods of MetalMonza1997–presentJunehard rock, heavy metal, metalcore

Latvia
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Metal ShowJekabpils2005–presentAugustall metal subgenres; 2-3 day festival
Zobens un LemessBauska2014–presentJunefolk, pagan, metal subgenres; 3 day festival

Lithuania
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
DevilstoneAnykščiai2009–presentJuly (mid)rock, metal
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 MetalfestEindhoven2015–presentJuly
FortarockNijmegen2009–presentJune/Julylarge festival featuring all kinds of metal
Into the GraveLeeuwarden2010–presentAugust
MidsummerProgValkenburg2017–presentJune
Netherlands DeathfestEindhoven (Effenaar)2016–presentMay
ProgPower EuropeBaarlo1999–presentOctoberfeaturing power, progressive metal
Roadburn FestivalTilburg1999–presentAprillarge festival featuring doom, stoner, death, black metal

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

Poland
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
MetalmaniaKatowice2017–present March
Siekiera fest Wrocław 2019–present September 3 days, various rock & metal subgenres

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
Paredes de Coura FestivalParedes de Coura1993–presentAugustlarge rock festival
Rock in Rio LisboaLisboa2004–presentMayfeaturing rock, pop, metal
SWR Barroselas Metalfest Barroselas 1998–present April featuring power, death, black, thrash, doom metal
Vagos Metal FestCalvão2016–presentAugustfeaturing power, death, black, thrash, doom metal
Vagos Open Air 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 gothic, doom, folk, heavy metal, progressive
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 Late Augustgothic metal, heavy metal, death metal

Russia
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Big GunMoscow2019–presentJuly4/5-day heavy, power, mdm, thrash
Metal Over RussiaMoscowJuly3-day doom, death, black, dark, pagan, folk metal

Serbia
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Exit FestivalNovi Sad2000–presentJulynot strictly a metal festival; features pop, rock, electronic, hip hop, but has some death, black, thrash, doom metal

Slovenia
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
MetaldaysTolmin2004–presentJulypreviously known as Metalcamp, featuring death, black, folk, thrash metal

Spain
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Resurrection FestViveiro2006–presentJulyfeaturing hardcore, metalcore, thrash, death, black metal, punk,
Rock Fest BarcelonaBarcelona2014–presentJulyfeaturing hardcore, metalcore, thrash, death, black metal, punk
Leyendas del RockVillena2006–presentAugustmostly power and gothic 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 and rock
Sabaton Open AirFalun2008–presentAugustorganized by Swedish heavy metal band Sabaton, featuring bands from all subgenres
Sweden Rock FestivalSölvesborg1992–presentJunefeaturing popular metal and rock bands worldwide
Jönköping Metal FestJönköpingSpring and fallblack, death, thrash metal

United Kingdom
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Bloodstock Open AirCatton Hall, Walton-on-Trent2005–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
Darkness Guides UsGlasgow, ScotlandNovembertwo-day indoor festival featuring black, pagan, extreme metal
Download FestivalDonington Park, Leicestershire2003–presentJunelarge rock festival featuring hard rock, nu-metal, metalcore, death metal, black metal and pro wrestling from NXT UK l
HammerfestPrestatyn, Wales2009–presentMarch
Hard Rock HellGwynedd, North Wales2007–presentNovemberfeaturing heavy metal, hard/heavy rock, rock
Incineration Festival London, England 2014–present May extreme metal festival for fans of death metal, black metal, doom metal, thrash metal, and slam.

Canada
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Covenant Festival Vancouver, BC 2012–present June-July underground black and death metal.
Heavy MontréalMontreal, QC2008–presentJuly-Augustfeaturing popular metal, thrash metal, metalcore, nu-metal, hard rock

Mexico
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Candelabrum Metal Fest León September
Domination Mx Mexico City May 2 Days
Force Fest Mexico City 2012–present November
Fronterizo Fest Tijuana 2017–present October
Hell & Heaven Metal Fest Mexico City 2010–present March 2 Day Open-Air Metal Festival
Knotfest México Mexico City 2015–present November
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
AftershockSacramento, CA2012–presentOctoberfeaturing grunge, hard rock, heavy metal, nu metal, thrash metal, death metal, metalcore, punk rock
EpicenterConcord, NC2019–presentearly Mayfeaturing hard rock, classic rock, post-hardcore, alternative rock, heavy metal, progressive metal
Louder Than LifeLouisville, KY2014–presentSeptember/Octoberfeaturing hard rock, heavy metal, grunge, melodic death metal, post-hardcore, metalcore, power metal, gothic metal
Maryland DeathfestBaltimore, MD2003–presentlate Mayfeaturing death, black, doom, grind, with attendance of 2,000-3,000
Mass Destruction Metal FestAtlanta, GA2017–presentNovemberfeaturing black and death metal
ProgPower USAAtlanta, GA2001–presentearly Septemberfeaturing power and progressive metal
Rebel RockOrlando, FL2020–presentSeptemberfeaturing heavy metal, nu metal, metalcore, power metal, hard rock, post-hardcore
Rock FestCadott, WI1994–presentJulyfeaturing classic rock, hard rock, heavy metal, nu metal, post-grunge, metalcore, thrash metal, post-hardcore
RocklahomaPryor, OK2006–presentlate Mayfeaturing heavy metal, hard rock, post-hardcore, thrash metal, death metal, nu metal, alternative rock, classic rock
Sonic Temple Art & Music FestivalColumbus, OH2019–presentMayfeaturing hard rock, alternative rock, heavy metal, nu metal, post-hardcore, metalcore, death metal, progressive metal
Welcome to RockvilleDaytona Beach, FL2011–presentApril/Mayfeaturing hard rock, heavy metal, metalcore, gothic metal, post-hardcore, industrial metal, death metal, alternative rock
70000 Tons of MetalFort Lauderdale, FL2011–presentJanuaryfeaturing thrash, power, symphonic, folk, death, black metal, with about 2,000 attendees on a cruise ship

Australia
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Download Festival[7] Melbourne and Sydney 2018–present March Melbourne and Sydney in 2019

Brazil
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Rock in RioRio de Janeiro 1985–present September
Maniacs Metal Meeting Rio Negrinho 2016–present December
Armageddon Metal Festival Joinville May/June

Colombia
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Rock al ParqueBogotá1994–presentAugustrock festival with death, thrash metal

Ecuador
Festival name Location Active Approx. time of year Notes
Quito FestQuito2003–presentSeptember

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. Weinstein (2000), pp. 14, 118.
  3. Fast (2005), pp. 89–91; Weinstein (2000), pp. 7, 8, 23, 36, 103, 104.
  4. Walser (1993), p. 6.
  5. "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.
  6. "African Heavy Metal Bands Give Back to their Communities". BORGEN. 2015-09-10. Retrieved 2016-05-21.
  7. http://downloadfestival.com.au/
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