Graspop Metal Meeting 2026
Official Travel Partner
Graspop Metal Meeting – Dessel, Belgium
More information about the Package
Graspop Metal Meeting is one of the largest and most iconic heavy metal festivals in Europe, held annually in the town of Dessel, Belgium. Since its first edition in 1996, the festival has grown in size, reputation, and diversity, bringing together thousands of metal fans from around the world to celebrate heavy music in all its forms. The event is known for its impeccable organization, powerful line-ups, robust infrastructure, and welcoming atmosphere, even amidst the aggressive sound that defines the metal genre. With a mix of legendary acts and emerging bands, Graspop offers a unique and intense experience for metal lovers, standing out as a key gathering for the global metal community.
The festival originated from an event that was initially more focused on pop and rock music, the Graspop Festival, which had been taking place since the 1980s. However, due to a decline in public interest, the organizers decided to completely shift its focus, transforming it into a festival dedicated exclusively to metal. The decision proved successful: Graspop Metal Meeting quickly won over fans and began attracting increasingly larger crowds, establishing itself as a reference in the European festival circuit. Located in the Boeretang fields of Dessel, the festival takes full advantage of the open-air environment to create a liberating atmosphere where loud sound, attitude, and the rebellious spirit of metal resonate powerfully.
The festival typically spans four days, usually in June, and features several stages, including Main Stage 1 and Main Stage 2, as well as the Marquee, Metal Dome, and Jupiler Stage. This setup allows for multiple performances to happen simultaneously, offering attendees a wide variety of styles within metal — from classic heavy metal to extreme subgenres like death metal, black metal, grindcore, doom, metalcore, and even modern styles like djent and symphonic metal. Each edition’s lineup is carefully curated to balance legendary bands such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Slayer, Metallica, Megadeth, Black Sabbath, and Ozzy Osbourne with contemporary names making waves on the scene, such as Gojira, Ghost, Bring Me The Horizon, Parkway Drive, Jinjer, among others.
Beyond the music, Graspop offers a range of activities and facilities that enrich the overall experience. There are well-organized camping areas with varying levels of comfort, ranging from basic spots to VIP glamping options. The food area is wide and diverse, catering not only to traditional European tastes but also offering vegan, vegetarian, and international meals. A large merchandise area allows fans to buy band t-shirts, records, accessories, and other items related to the metal world. Another highlight is the Metal Market, a sort of alternative fair with stalls selling clothing, tattoos, piercings, and gothic items.
The festival crowd is a fundamental part of the experience. Thousands of people of different ages and nationalities gather, united by their love for heavy music. Despite the intimidating look of many attendees — with black clothes, band patches, tattoos, piercings, and makeup — the festival is known for its friendliness, mutual respect, and strong sense of community. The motto "United We Stand, Divided We Fall" is frequently cited among festival-goers as a reflection of the collective spirit that prevails during the event. People who might never meet in real life connect at the festival, sharing experiences, stories, drinks, and, of course, lots of metal.
The weather in Belgium during Graspop can be unpredictable, with scorching sun one day and heavy rain the next. Still, fans usually come well-prepared for any condition, and the festival’s organization ensures safety and infrastructure regardless of the weather. In fact, the sight of crowds headbanging in the rain, with mud-covered boots and skull-themed raincoats, reinforces the idea that love for metal goes beyond any climatic obstacle.
Musically, Graspop is a reflection of metal’s diversity and evolution. Over the years, the festival has stayed in tune with changing audience preferences, incorporating new subgenres and upcoming bands without abandoning its classic roots. As a result, it manages to engage different generations of fans — from those who grew up listening to Metallica and Iron Maiden in the 1980s to younger fans following metalcore or post-metal bands through streaming platforms. This ability to reinvent itself while remaining true to its essence is one of the festival’s great strengths.
For the bands, performing at Graspop is a significant milestone. The festival offers visibility and prestige, and many European tours are planned around its dates. The high-quality sound system, the passionate audience, and the media coverage make Graspop an ideal platform for any band aiming to solidify its name internationally. The festival also honors late musicians with special tributes, moments of silence, or audiovisual segments during performances.
Behind the scenes, the event requires complex logistics, with hundreds of people involved in stage construction, security, production, medical assistance, and general services. Sustainability has also become increasingly important, with initiatives focused on waste reduction, recycling, and responsible resource usage. Graspop continues to position itself as a modern, conscious festival — without ever compromising its sonically and visually intense identity.
In summary, Graspop Metal Meeting is more than just a music festival: it is a celebration of metal culture in its most intense, passionate, and authentic form. It represents a space where music serves as a link for unity, expression, and resistance — where every riff, every growl, and every guitar solo resonates with a loyal and energetic crowd. Whether it's a first-timer or a seasoned veteran, Graspop offers an unforgettable experience, marked by thunderous sound, electrifying performances, and a sense of belonging that only a true metal festival can provide.
Event Name: Graspop Metal Meeting 2026
When does it happens?: 18/06/2026 ~ 21/06/2026
Where does it take place?: Graspop Metal Meeting – Dessel, Belgium
Venue
Notes
Graspop Metal Meeting is one of the largest and most iconic heavy metal festivals in Europe, held annually in the town of Dessel, Belgium. Since its first edition in 1996, the festival has grown in size, reputation, and diversity, bringing together thousands of metal fans from around the world to celebrate heavy music in all its forms. The event is known for its impeccable organization, powerful line-ups, robust infrastructure, and welcoming atmosphere, even amidst the aggressive sound that defines the metal genre. With a mix of legendary acts and emerging bands, Graspop offers a unique and intense experience for metal lovers, standing out as a key gathering for the global metal community.
The festival originated from an event that was initially more focused on pop and rock music, the Graspop Festival, which had been taking place since the 1980s. However, due to a decline in public interest, the organizers decided to completely shift its focus, transforming it into a festival dedicated exclusively to metal. The decision proved successful: Graspop Metal Meeting quickly won over fans and began attracting increasingly larger crowds, establishing itself as a reference in the European festival circuit. Located in the Boeretang fields of Dessel, the festival takes full advantage of the open-air environment to create a liberating atmosphere where loud sound, attitude, and the rebellious spirit of metal resonate powerfully.
The festival typically spans four days, usually in June, and features several stages, including Main Stage 1 and Main Stage 2, as well as the Marquee, Metal Dome, and Jupiler Stage. This setup allows for multiple performances to happen simultaneously, offering attendees a wide variety of styles within metal — from classic heavy metal to extreme subgenres like death metal, black metal, grindcore, doom, metalcore, and even modern styles like djent and symphonic metal. Each edition’s lineup is carefully curated to balance legendary bands such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Slayer, Metallica, Megadeth, Black Sabbath, and Ozzy Osbourne with contemporary names making waves on the scene, such as Gojira, Ghost, Bring Me The Horizon, Parkway Drive, Jinjer, among others.
Beyond the music, Graspop offers a range of activities and facilities that enrich the overall experience. There are well-organized camping areas with varying levels of comfort, ranging from basic spots to VIP glamping options. The food area is wide and diverse, catering not only to traditional European tastes but also offering vegan, vegetarian, and international meals. A large merchandise area allows fans to buy band t-shirts, records, accessories, and other items related to the metal world. Another highlight is the Metal Market, a sort of alternative fair with stalls selling clothing, tattoos, piercings, and gothic items.
The festival crowd is a fundamental part of the experience. Thousands of people of different ages and nationalities gather, united by their love for heavy music. Despite the intimidating look of many attendees — with black clothes, band patches, tattoos, piercings, and makeup — the festival is known for its friendliness, mutual respect, and strong sense of community. The motto "United We Stand, Divided We Fall" is frequently cited among festival-goers as a reflection of the collective spirit that prevails during the event. People who might never meet in real life connect at the festival, sharing experiences, stories, drinks, and, of course, lots of metal.
The weather in Belgium during Graspop can be unpredictable, with scorching sun one day and heavy rain the next. Still, fans usually come well-prepared for any condition, and the festival’s organization ensures safety and infrastructure regardless of the weather. In fact, the sight of crowds headbanging in the rain, with mud-covered boots and skull-themed raincoats, reinforces the idea that love for metal goes beyond any climatic obstacle.
Musically, Graspop is a reflection of metal’s diversity and evolution. Over the years, the festival has stayed in tune with changing audience preferences, incorporating new subgenres and upcoming bands without abandoning its classic roots. As a result, it manages to engage different generations of fans — from those who grew up listening to Metallica and Iron Maiden in the 1980s to younger fans following metalcore or post-metal bands through streaming platforms. This ability to reinvent itself while remaining true to its essence is one of the festival’s great strengths.
For the bands, performing at Graspop is a significant milestone. The festival offers visibility and prestige, and many European tours are planned around its dates. The high-quality sound system, the passionate audience, and the media coverage make Graspop an ideal platform for any band aiming to solidify its name internationally. The festival also honors late musicians with special tributes, moments of silence, or audiovisual segments during performances.
Behind the scenes, the event requires complex logistics, with hundreds of people involved in stage construction, security, production, medical assistance, and general services. Sustainability has also become increasingly important, with initiatives focused on waste reduction, recycling, and responsible resource usage. Graspop continues to position itself as a modern, conscious festival — without ever compromising its sonically and visually intense identity.
In summary, Graspop Metal Meeting is more than just a music festival: it is a celebration of metal culture in its most intense, passionate, and authentic form. It represents a space where music serves as a link for unity, expression, and resistance — where every riff, every growl, and every guitar solo resonates with a loyal and energetic crowd. Whether it's a first-timer or a seasoned veteran, Graspop offers an unforgettable experience, marked by thunderous sound, electrifying performances, and a sense of belonging that only a true metal festival can provide.
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