Metalheads, take note: 2025 is shaping up to be a great year for festivals! In this roundup of the best Metal festivals, we’re looking at some of the biggest gatherings of Metal fans. Our list includes some of the best-known as well as lesser-known festivals.
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Criteria
The Metal festivals on our list were chosen for a variety of reasons. Here are the main criteria that we used to select them:
Line-up: At the end of the day, it’s all about the music, as that’s what your ticket money goes towards.
Atmosphere: Festivals have unique atmospheres that simply can’t be experienced anywhere else on Earth. We prioritise good vibes.
Location: Not all festivals are as accessible as others, and some dedicated Metalheads travel great distances, so we also consider travel connections.
Fan and critic reviews: Rather than make our selections based on one subjective opinion, we consider how much fans have enjoyed it in previous years.
Extra attractions: A Metal festival is mainly about music, but there are extras to consider: food, exhibitions, tents, smaller stages, workshops, afterparties, etc.
Wacken Open Air (Germany)
Wacken Open Air festival (WOA) has been held annually since 1989 on the first weekend of August. It takes place in Wacken, a small village. Compared to most newer festivals, this one has an impressive heritage, and for Metal fans around the world, it’s a bit of a mecca.
If you’re based in Britain, Germany is a quick, affordable and easy journey, so don’t be put off by the fact that you’ll need to travel. It’s arguably the world’s most famous Metal festival, featuring legendary line-ups that are always impressive.
As Metal fans take over the town, it generates an atmosphere unlike anything else. There are medieval markets, Metal yoga, Viking battles, beer gardens, and many more extras. Some of the biggest names in Metal are likely to be attending Wacken Open Air 2025. Past lineups include bands like Iron Maiden, Slayer, and Judas Priest.
Hellfest (France)
Hellfest is a massive festival in France that is a popular pilgrimage among die-hard Metal fans. It takes place in Clisson and welcomes more than 180,000 festivalgoers each year.
One of the most astonishing things about Hellfest is the sheer size of the line-up and the breadth of the genres it covers. Visitors can expect everything from classical Metal to extreme, avant-garde, experimental, and dark Metal.
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes. Hellfest Festival 2024, Clisson. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
Hellfest alumni include:
- Judas Priest
- Metallica
- Black Sabbath
- Iron Maiden
- Gojira
- Slipknot
- And many more.
The 2025 line-up is as impressive as ever, with Korn, Muse, Linkin Park, and Scorpions headlining this four-day behemoth of an event!
Download Festival (UK)
The biggest British festival in the world, Download Festival in Donington Park, is attended by Metal fans from throughout the UK and further afield every June. It boasts impressive variety in its acts, which aren’t exclusively Metal. Visitors can also catch a chance to see punk acts, classic rock, pop-punk and everything in between.
Download Festival 2024. Photo: Ryan Hildrew/MetalTalk
Download is the successor to Donington’s Monsters of Rock, which was founded in 2003. So, it has a few decades of history behind it, and this shows in the organisation. Extra attractions include live wrestling, motorcycle displays, and many food outlets.
This year’s line-up looks healthy, featuring Green Day, Sleep Token, Korn, Weezer, The Sex Pistols, and more. This clearly illustrates the variety of acts that come to download. While they’re Metal-centric, there’s a lot more going on, too.
Bloodstock Open Air (UK)
For those who like their Metal seriously heavy, Bloodstock might be the festival you’re looking for. Unlike Download, this UK-based festival keeps the focus firmly on Heavy Metal. If you’re a purist, the Bloodstock is probably the one for you.
Tailgunner – Bloodstock Festival 2024. Photo: Keith Conlin/MetalTalk
2025 will see bands including Trivium, Gojira, Machine Head, and Lacuna Coil heading to Bloodstock. In past years, Bloodstock has welcomed Opeth, Amon Amarth, Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage, Megadeth, Devil Driver, and more.
Bloodstock is also a great place to catch up-and-comers who are just arriving on the Metal scene. Boasting a great atmosphere and a nice Derbyshire setting, Bloodstock is perhaps the smallest festival on our list, but its position is fully justified!
Sweden Rock Festival (Sweden)
Each June, Sölvesborg, Sweden, is transformed by an influx of Metalheads who have come to see an eclectic mix of Metal and rock music. Since its 1992 conception, the Sweden Rock Festival has developed a near-unbeatable reputation, and it’s this reputation which has earned it a place on our esteemed list!
Expect a heady mix of classic rock, Metal, and hardcore subgenres. Previous performers include Ozzy Osbourne, Def Leppard, Ghost, and more. 2025’s line-up features Korn, Scorpions, Skillet, Dream Theater, Apocalyptica, and more.
Another great thing about this festival is its scenic location, which offers a beautiful, idyllic backdrop to the mayhem.
Conclusion
There are many different things that can make or break a festival, and not all are suited to everyone. From a UK perspective, here’s a brief summary of the five festivals we’ve looked at:
Festival | Pros | Cons |
Wacken Open Air | Perhaps the biggest Metal festival in Europe | Requires some travel |
Hellfest | Massive line-up over four days | Not the most accessible |
Download Festival | Britain’s biggest rock festival | Not dedicated to Metal |
Bloodstock Open Air | Focus on heavier Metal than Download | Not the highest-profile line-up |
Sweden Rock Festival | High-profile acts, including classics | Not 100% Metal-oriented |
With so many great bands on the road, this is the perfect year for a Metal festival (or two!), and Metal fans can’t go wrong with those on the above list!
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Best Metal Festivals Worth Visiting in 2025 first appeared on
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