HELLFEST 2026 has confirmed its full roster of 183 bands for this year's edition, which runs from June 18 to 21 at the open-air site in Clisson, France. One of the largest metal festivals in Europe — typically drawing close to 200,000 attendees across four days — HELLFEST hosts six stages and has become a summer pilgrimage for heavy music fans from across the continent.
This year's headliners are IRON MAIDEN, BRING ME THE HORIZON, LIMP BIZKIT, and THE OFFSPRING. The metal firepower, however, runs far deeper than the top of the bill.
Thursday, June 18 opens with DEEP PURPLE and ALICE COOPER topping the main stages, supported by THE HALO EFFECT, IGORRR, RIVERS OF NIHIL, BORKNAGAR, WINTERFYLLETH, UNCLE ACID AND THE DEADBEATS, KADAVAR, ALESTORM, and a special set from MIKKEY DEE and Friends performing MOTÖRHEAD classics.
Friday, June 19 is a prog and extreme metal feast: HELLOWEEN celebrate their 40th anniversary with a special set, joined by OPETH, MASTODON, ACCEPT, QUEENSRŸCHE, SEPULTURA, BLOOD INCANTATION, PERIPHERY, ROTTING CHRIST, MY DYING BRIDE, THE GATHERING, CRYPTA, BLOOD RED THRONE, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, and CARACH ANGREN.
Saturday, June 20 is the most brutal day: MEGADETH, ANTHRAX, BEHEMOTH, DEICIDE, CARCASS, SEPTICFLESH, HATEBREED, CULT OF LUNA, AMENRA, and CAVALERA performing a full 'Chaos A.D.' set. Also on Saturday: 1914 (Ukrainian blackened death metal), OLD MAN'S CHILD, ORANSSI PAZUZU, and GAEREA.
Sunday, June 21 closes with DOWN, NAPALM DEATH, MAYHEM, MARDUK, ACID BATH, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, EYEHATEGOD, WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, POSSESSED, SIX FEET UNDER, and SCOUR rounding out a devastating weekend.
HELLFEST draws over 20% of its audience from outside France, making it one of the few European festivals that functions as a genuine international gathering point. Full ticketing and camping information at hellfest.fr.