Hellfest Open Air

Hellfest

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MusicClisson
DatesDates TBA · Usually JuneCheck locally before booking
Duration4 daysListed event span
CrowdMediumAbout 280,000 people
Best forLive music, late nightsHellfest's defining feature is genre depth
Language["fr"]Currency: EUR
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Hellfest Open Air in Clisson

Hellfest, launched in 2006 in the Loire Valley town of Clisson, has grown into one of the world's largest metal and hard rock festivals, drawing crowds well into six figures across a multi-day June run. Spanning metal's full range from extreme subgenres to classic hard rock across multiple stages, it combines genre breadth with a strong dedicated subculture, and now draws on large adjacent camping grounds for its multi-day format.

Hellfest launched in 2006 in the small Loire Valley town of Clisson, building over subsequent editions into one of the largest metal and hard rock festivals in the world, drawing crowds well into six figures across its multi-day June run despite operating in a genre often relegated to smaller, more niche festival circuits elsewhere.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Hellfest's defining feature is genre depth within a single festival: rather than booking a handful of headline metal acts alongside a broader mainstream lineup, the festival programs across metal's full stylistic range, from extreme death and black metal to classic hard rock legacy acts, spread across multiple themed stages with gothic and infernal visual design running throughout the grounds

02

The mystery stays covered

Its setting in Clisson, a small Loire Valley town known for romantic-era chateau ruins and Italianate architecture, creates a striking contrast between the festival's heavy metal identity and its host town's own historic character, a juxtaposition unusual among major European music festivals

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

Symbols

Custom

Hellfest Open Air is documented as a recurring music festival in the Eventisimus atlas.

Participation

Calendar

Some moments are open to visitors; others belong to local participants. Follow barriers, steward instructions, and local etiquette.

Place memory

Place

The strongest version of the event is the one tied to Clisson, not a generic copy of the same category elsewhere.

The local code

Meaning

Hellfest's defining feature is genre depth within a single festival: rather than booking a handful of headline metal acts alongside a broader...

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually June

Getting around

Plan routes around set times, late-night exits, and crowded transport after headline acts.

What to wear

Festival-appropriate metal and hard rock attire is common though not required; sturdy footwear and weatherproof layers matter more than any specific dress code given multi-day outdoor...

Safety

Hellfest Open Air is easier with a small bag, charged phone and group plan that survives poor signal.

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of Clisson you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

["fr"] · EUR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map47.09 N, 1.28 WOpen in Google Maps

Clisson, Pays de la Loire, France

Nearest airportNTE — Nantes Atlantique
TransportPlan routes around set times, late-night exits, and crowded transport after headline acts.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of Clisson you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Clisson via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Clisson, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for June.Compare faresFestival gearFestival-appropriate metal and hard rock attire is common though not required; sturdy footwear and weatherproof layers matter more than any specific dress code given multi-day outdoor camping conditions.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for France and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Hellfest Open Air?

Hellfest Open Air is listed for Past edition: 18–21 June 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Hellfest Open Air take place?

The festival is listed in Clisson, France. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

4 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Clisson, Pays de la Loire, France

How big is it?

Medium: 280000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLhellfest.fr
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually June
Source statusOfficial source linked
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