South of Heaven Festival
5-7/06/2026, Stadsweide - Maastricht
Metal fans from across Europe will once again descend on the southern Netherlands when the South of Heaven Festival returns from 5 to 7 June 2026 in Maastricht. Hosted at the industrial Gashouder Maastricht site in the Bosscherveld district, the three-day open-air event promises a powerful mix of legendary metal acts and rising names from across the heavy music spectrum.
Following a successful debut edition, the festival continues to grow in 2026 with the addition of an extra opening day on Friday, turning the event into a full three-day celebration of metal culture. The opening night, described as a “Burgundian night,” kicks off the weekend with high-energy performances from Alestorm, Wind Rose, and Gloryhammer, setting a festive tone before the heavier line-up arrives.
Saturday brings some of the biggest names in thrash and extreme metal. Legendary bands such as Megadeth, Anthrax, and Sepultura headline a stacked day that also features acts like Dismember, Hellripper, and Severe Torture.
The festival closes on Sunday with another strong bill led by Black Label Society. Fans can also look forward to powerful performances from Cavalera performing a special Chaos A.D. set, Corrosion of Conformity, Flotsam and Jetsam, and Septicflesh.
One of the festival’s defining characteristics is its intimate yet atmospheric setting. The historic Gashouder structure and surrounding industrial grounds provide a unique backdrop that perfectly complements the raw energy of metal music, while the festival focuses on music, atmosphere, and quality food and drinks rather than side events.
With an accessible location near the borders of Belgium and Germany and a diverse lineup spanning classic thrash, death metal, and modern heavy acts, South of Heaven Festival 2026 is shaping up to be one of the standout metal gatherings of the early summer festival season.
All info, timetable and line-up here!