Graspop Metal Meeting - Dessel, Belgium

Graspop Metal Meeting

Graspop Metal Meeting - Dessel, Belgium, is one of Europe’s premier heavy metal festivals, held annually in the small town of Dessel, in northern Belgium. Since its inception in 1996, the festival has grown into a massive celebration of all things heavy, from classic metal and hard rock to death metal, black metal, metalcore, and beyond. Attracting over 150,000 visitors across its multi-day run, Graspop has become a pilgrimage site for metal fans from around the world.

Hosted each June, the festival spans four full days and features more than 100 bands across multiple stages, including iconic names and rising stars of the global metal scene. Legendary acts such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Slayer, Metallica, and Black Sabbath have graced its main stages, while newer powerhouses like Ghost, Gojira, and Parkway Drive continue to draw massive crowds. The lineup consistently reflects both the genre's legacy and its dynamic evolution.

One of Graspop’s key strengths lies in its production quality and festival setup. The grounds include massive stages, sprawling campsites, and well-organised facilities. Fans can enjoy the comfort of metal market stalls, food trucks, shaded rest areas, and even silent discos for nighttime entertainment. Themed zones like the Metal Dome and Jupiler Stage provide varied experiences depending on genre and atmosphere, keeping the energy high from morning to midnight.

Graspop Metal Meeting

In addition to its powerful musical programming, the festival is known for its passionate and respectful fan base. Metalheads from across Europe and beyond gather in Dessel not just to hear great music, but to celebrate a shared culture of intensity, unity, and expressive freedom. The sense of community, combined with a flawless sound and light setup, gives Graspop a distinctive atmosphere that sets it apart from other metal festivals.

With its consistent growth and reputation for booking some of the heaviest and most influential acts on the planet, Graspop Metal Meeting remains a cornerstone of the European festival scene. Whether you’re a seasoned metal veteran or a newcomer eager to experience the genre in its rawest and most immersive form, Graspop delivers a thunderous and unforgettable weekend of music, mayhem, and metal unity.