Hellfest – France 2026

Background & History

Hellfest, founded in 2006 from the ashes of Furyfest, is France’s premier extreme music festival and a global icon in metal culture, held annually in Clisson, Loire-Atlantique, 30 km southeast of Nantes. Organized by Hellfest Productions, a non-profit under the French 1901 law, it began as a niche gathering of 22,000 fans and has grown into a colossal event, drawing over 240,000 attendees from 70 countries in 2025. Its evolution reflects a dedication to heavy metal, punk, hardcore, and subgenres like black metal, doom, and stoner rock, fostering a passionate community known as “Hellbangers.” The festival has won the Arthur Award for Best European Festival (2013, 2017, 2023) and is celebrated for its immersive, metal-themed environment.

Hellfest’s cultural significance lies in its fusion of music, art, and social responsibility. It transforms Clisson into a metal “theme park” with towering sculptures, flame-lit stages, and gothic aesthetics. Its commitment to sustainability includes a €200,000 annual partnership with Savage Lands France for biodiversity protection, 72% waste recycling, and eco-friendly infrastructure like 160 water taps. Collaborations with local groups like Animaje and organizations such as Sea Shepherd integrate regional and global values. Hellfest’s no-VIP ethos ensures equality, while Hellcare initiatives address mental health and safety. The 2026 edition, marking its 20th anniversary (expected June 18–21), will feature an expanded lineup, new art installations, and enhanced CSR efforts, solidifying its status as a pilgrimage for metal enthusiasts.

Event Highlights

• Main Activities and Performances: Hellfest 2026 will showcase over 200 bands across six themed stages: Mainstages 1 & 2 (metal, rock, punk, headliners like Metallica or Slipknot in past years), Warzone (punk, hardcore, crossover), Valley (stoner, doom, post-metal), Altar (death, grind, brutal), Temple (black, pagan metal), and Hellstage (emerging acts in Hellcity Square).
• The 2026 lineup, TBD, will likely include global giants (e.g., Gojira, Rammstein) and niche acts (e.g., Behemoth, Watain), based on 2025 trends. Performances feature pyrotechnics, flame effects, and LED visuals synchronized with music. Hellcity Square hosts the Extreme Market (vinyls, CDs, merch, jewelry), tattoo/piercing booths, and partner activations like brewery stands. Additional activities include metal art exhibitions, documentary screenings, and workshops on guitar building and music production.
• Special Traditions or Features: The Opening Parade through Clisson, with fire performers, drummers, and local brass bands, celebrates metal culture and community. Hellcare booths offer psychological support, STI prevention, addiction awareness, and consent workshops, reaching 23,000 attendees in 2025. The cashless wristband system streamlines purchases, with top-up stations and online preloading.
• Sustainability practices include reusable cups, compostable materials, and 100% biowaste composting (160 tons in 2025). The Clisson Rock City initiative features street art, pop-up concerts, and local vineyard tours. The Hellfest Cult, a fan membership program, offers priority ticket access and exclusive merch. A 20th-anniversary tribute is planned, potentially including a retrospective stage or special sets by veteran bands.
• Unique Attractions for Visitors: The festival’s 50-hectare site is a visual spectacle, with monumental metal sculptures (e.g., a 10-meter dragon), flame-lit stages, and gothic-inspired decor, creating an immersive “metal theme park.” The Extreme Market sells rare collectibles, handmade jewelry, and band merch, while tattoo booths offer festival-branded designs by renowned artists.
• The Muscadet Bar serves Loire Valley wines, complementing food stalls with 80% vegetarian/30% vegan options. Healthcare booths ensure safety with medical tents and 65 psychological support sessions. The open-all-year site (except during setup) allows fans to visit landmarks like the Hellfest Cathedral. Accessibility features include PMR platforms, sign language interpreters, and sensory-friendly zones, making Hellfest inclusive for all.

Date & Duration

• Dates: June 18 – June 21, 2026
• Duration: 4 days.

Venue / Location

Hellfest 2026 takes place at Rue du Champ Louet, Clisson, France, a 50-hectare former industrial site transformed into a metal-themed arena. The venue features six stages (Mainstages 1 & 2, Warzone, Valley, Altar, Temple, Hellstage), Hellcity Square, and camping zones. Iconic landmarks include the Hellfest Cathedral (a towering stage backdrop), Warzone’s punk-inspired graffiti walls, and Valley’s desert-themed decor.

Clisson’s medieval castle and Loire Valley vineyards add cultural charm, with pop-up events in town. Open daily from 9 AM to midnight, the site includes 1,500 water-efficient sanitary facilities, 160 water taps, medical points, and 3,200 bike parking spaces. Safety infrastructure features emergency exits and evacuation points, with accessibility prioritized via wheelchair paths and PMR zones.

• Google Maps Address: Rue du Champ Louet, 44190 Clisson, France

Ticket Information

• How Tickets Are Sold: Tickets are sold exclusively through https://tickets.hellfest.fr, managed by Hellfest Productions and Weezevent, using SSL-encrypted, 3D Secure payment systems. Sales start October 2025, with 4-day passes first (often selling out in hours, as in 2025), followed by 1-day passes. E-tickets with unique QR codes are downloadable one month prior.
• Maximum two tickets per category (eight total for 1-day passes) per person; resale only via the official Ticket Resale Platform (available until June 11, 2026) to prevent fraud. On-site ticket offices handle minor tickets and issues. Wristbands (home-delivered for 4-day passes or collected on-site) are required for entry; lost wristbands can transfer cashless credit via cashless@hellfest.fr. The Hellfest Cult offers priority access for members.
• Admission Type and Pricing: Admission is paid. Based on 2025 pricing and assuming €1 = $1.10 (September 2025), estimated 2026 prices in USD:
  • 4-Day Pass: $330–$385 (~€300–€350)
  • 1-Day Pass (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday): $110–$130 (~€100–€120)
  • Half-Price Minor Ticket (ages 6–16, on-site with adult, one per adult): $55–$65 (~€50–€60)
  • Children under 6: Prohibited for safety (due to crowd density, sound levels)
  • Easy Camp (5 nights, add-on with 4-day pass): $110–$220 (~€100–€200, standard to premium tents)
  • Wristband Home Delivery (4-day pass only): $10–$20 (~€9–€18) Prices include booking/admin fees and tourist tax for Easy Camp. No other reduced rates (e.g., student, disability) are offered.
• Minimum and Maximum Ticket Price Range: The minimum ticket price is $55 for a Half-Price Minor Ticket (ages 6–16, on-site with adult). The maximum is $385 for a 4-Day Pass, excluding Easy Camp (~$220) or wristband delivery (~$20).
• Special Seating or VIP Options: Hellfest rejects traditional VIP areas, emphasizing equality with a “no-VIP” ethos. PMR attendees receive dedicated viewing platforms, wheelchair-accessible paths, and support (contact accessibilite@hellfest.fr with a medical certificate). Easy Camp offers pre-set tents (standard, comfort, premium) with security deposits (~$50–$100, refundable if undamaged). Wristband checks at entry points (9 AM–midnight) ensure security; invalid or resold tickets void access.

Contact Information

• Email: info@hellfest.fr (general inquiries); billetterie@hellfest.fr (ticketing); cashless@hellfest.fr (wristband/cashless issues); accessibilite@hellfest.fr (accessibility); press@hellfest.fr (media).
• Phone: +33 (0)2 51 88 79 50 (Hellfest Productions, English/French, weekdays 9 AM–5 PM).
• Mailing Address: Hellfest Productions, La Feuillée, 85610 Cugand, France.
• Website: https://hellfest.fr
• Social Media: @hellfestopenair (Instagram), @Hellfestfestival (Facebook), @hellfest_fr (X).
• Key Staff: Ben Barbaud (Festival Director), Yoann Le Nevé (Production Manager), Marie-Laure Piau (Sustainability Coordinator).
• Press/Volunteers: Press via press@hellfest.fr (submit press kits/CDs to Cugand address); volunteer applications via info@hellfest.fr (open early 2026, often include free entry or merch). Band submissions via programmation@hellfest.fr.
• Note: Response time ~24–48 hours for emails, 1–2 weeks for mail. GDPR-compliant data handling; request data access/deletion at info@hellfest.fr. CNIL-registered site ensures privacy.

Cultural Experience

Hellfest is a global celebration of metal culture, uniting Hellbangers in a shared passion for extreme music, art, and community. Its six stages cater to diverse subgenres—black metal, death metal, punk, hardcore, stoner, and doom—set against Clisson’s medieval backdrop. Attendees embrace bold fashion: leather jackets, band tees, spiked accessories, and corpse paint, reflecting metal’s rebellious and theatrical spirit. The Opening Parade, featuring fire performers, local drummers, and bagpipe players, blends French heritage with festival energy, culminating in a communal chant of “Hellfest!”

Hellcare booths provide mental health support, STI awareness, consent workshops, and addiction prevention, reaching 23,000 attendees in 2025. The Extreme Market offers rare vinyls, custom jewelry, and band merch, while tattoo booths create lasting mementos by artists like Paul Booth. The Muscadet Bar and local food stalls integrate Loire Valley culture, with 80% vegetarian/30% vegan options. Collaborations with Animaje and Sea Shepherd promote local engagement and environmental awareness. The festival’s open-year-round site allows fans to visit iconic sculptures, deepening cultural ties. The 20th-anniversary celebration may include a metal history exhibit or tribute performances.

Food & Drinks

Hellfest’s catering emphasizes Loire Valley flavors and sustainability, with 80% of stands offering vegetarian (30% vegan) and 80% French-origin, homemade dishes. Must-try specialties include:

• Galette-Saucisse: Breton sausage in a buckwheat crepe, a regional staple (~$5–$7 USD).
• Moules-Frites: Mussels with fries, served with Loire white wine sauce (~$8–$10 USD).
• Tarte aux Pommes: Loire Valley apple tart with local cream (~$4–$6 USD).
• Rillauds: Nantes-style pork rillettes with crusty bread (~$6–$8 USD).
• Muscadet Wine and Craft Beers: Crisp local Muscadet (~$5–$8 USD/glass) and brews like La Chouffe or Coreff (~$4–$6 USD). Stands use compostable serveware; 100% of 160 tons of biowaste is composted for agriculture. Cashless wristbands streamline purchases, with top-up stations and online preloading. Free water taps (160 site-wide) eliminate 50,000 plastic bottles. Special diets (e.g., diabetic) require medical certificates for food entry; liquid glucose sachets recommended.

Getting There

• By Air: Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE), 35 km away (~30 min drive), is the primary hub with flights from Europe. Taxis (~$40–$50 USD), Uber, or festival shuttles (~$10–$15 USD, book via hellfest.fr) connect to Clisson. Paris CDG (400 km) offers train connections via Nantes.
• By Public Transport: SNCF trains from Nantes to Clisson (30 min, ~$10–$15 USD) run hourly; festival shuttles link Clisson station to the site (~$5 USD). TER buses from Nantes (~$5–$7 USD) also available. Special festival trains from Paris, Lyon, and Bordeaux operate (~$50–$100 USD, book via hellfest.fr).
• By Car: From Nantes, take A83 to Clisson (30 min). Parking (~$10–$20 USD/day) includes West lot with shuttle access; camper parking (~$50–$100 USD). Carpooling platform on hellfest.fr reduces emissions; roads may close during emergencies.
• By Bike: Free, secure bike parking (3,200 spaces). Rentals in Nantes/Clisson (~$10–$15 USD/day). Guided bike routes from Nantes available.
• Accessibility: PMR shuttles, wheelchair paths, and sensory-friendly zones; contact accessibilite@hellfest.fr for tailored arrangements (e.g., sign language interpreters).

Accommodation Options

Hellfest is camping-focused, with diverse options:

• Easy Camp: Pre-set tents (standard, comfort, premium) for 5 nights (~$110–$220 USD, requires 4-day pass). Includes power, sanitary access, security deposit (~$50–$100, refundable if undamaged). Names of all guests required; resale until June 11, 2026.
• Free Camping: Included with 4-day passes; basic facilities (showers, toilets), no valuables in tents (use deposits, ~$5 USD/item). Family zones available.
• Camper Parking: Limited spots 1 km from entrance (~$50–$100 USD, 230V power, 40m² max); book via hellfest.fr.
• Hotels: In Clisson, Le Relais du Vignoble (~$80–$120/night) or Hôtel La Gressière (~$70–$100/night), 2–5 km away. Nantes offers more options like Hôtel Oceania (~$90–$150/night) or Radisson Blu (~$100–$180/night), 30 km away (book via Booking.com).
• Airbnb: Clisson/Nantes rentals (~$80–$200/night), ideal for groups or privacy. Rural vineyard stays popular.
• Hostels: Nantes hostels like Hostel La Manu (~$30–$50/night) cater to budget travelers.
• Booking Tip: Easy Camp and camper parking sell out fast; book by January 2026. Use festival shuttles for off-site stays to avoid parking issues.