bloodstock winter gathering

BLOODSTOCK’S WINTER GATHERING RETURNS FOR 2026!

by
After an unforgettable debut last year, BLOODSTOCK’S WINTER GATHERING storms back this winter, bringing the spirit of the UK’s premier metal festival indoors once again for a full day of festive heaviness. Returning to take over KK’s Steelmill, Wolverhampton, on Saturday 5th December 2026, this one-day celebration promises towering riffs, intimate chaos, and all the community magic that BLOODSTOCK is known for.

Just a 20-minute walk from Wolverhampton station, with all-day parking nearby for a couple of quid, KK’s Steelmill is easy to get to. Alongside a stacked lineup of crushing bands, there’s a range of food available to help you keep up your energy for 8 hours of solid headbanging, plus a fully stocked bar serving drinks throughout the event, with cash, card, and contactless all accepted. And because December is definitely coat weather, there’s a cloakroom available too – drop off your big coat and warm up in the pit!

Doors will open at 2pm, with bands performing from 3pm – 11pm, ensuring wall-to-wall metal across two stages from start to finish.

Headlining the main stage are Greek metal legends ROTTING CHRIST, whose ritualistic blend of black metal, gothic atmosphere, and commanding live presence has earned them acclaim across more than three decades. Joining them are Ukrainian blackened death metal outfit 1914, whose harrowing, World War I-themed sound delivers both sonic brutality and emotional weight. Leeds crossover thrashers PEST CONTROL bring razor-sharp riffs and ferocious energy, while vivacious slam extremists PARTY CANNON guarantee chaos, colour, and full-bore pit action.

Self-proclaimed neoclassical fantasy pirates RED RUM offer up swashbuckling riffs and theatrical flair, but perhaps impeccable, classic doom purveyors WITCHSORROW will be more your thing? Kicking proceedings off in style, punk-infused eclectic progsters SQUARE WILD will open the stage.

The second stage is headlined by UK thrash powerhouse SHRAPNEL, delivering precision aggression and modern bite. They are joined by doom/death heavyweights THE CRAWLING, epic metal storytellers MOON REAPER, and Staffs-based punk bruisers HEAD DENT. Also appearing on the second stage is a live Bloodstock Festival Management Q&A, giving fans a rare chance to hear directly from the team behind the festival and ask their burning questions.
Beyond the music, WINTER GATHERING once again delivers the extras that made last year so special, including S’tanta’s Grotto, band signing sessions, giveaways, and the now-infamous snow machine making its frosty return.

BLOODSTOCK and WINTER GATHERING co-director Vicky Hungerford comments, “Last year’s Winter Gathering was honestly such a blast — it reminded us exactly why Bloodstock began as an indoor event in the first place. The atmosphere was so intimate and felt just like those early days. We’ve got loads of fun things planned for 2026 and we’d love to see as many of you there as possible. It’s basically our Bloodstock Christmas party!”

Tickets are on sale immediately, priced at £55 (+ booking fees) – grab them now here. 

For all the latest info, keep your eyes peeled on the official event website here.

Announcing… BLOODSTOCK’S WINTER GATHERING

by

Be part of BLOODSTOCK history!! Will you be one of the very first to bear witness to BLOODSTOCK’S WINTER GATHERING this December?! This brand new, one-day edition of the premier heavy metal summer weekender is set to debut this festive season on 6th December 2025. Raising the roof at the fabled KK’s Steelmill in Wolverhampton, this not-to-be-missed headbanger’s extravaganza will begin at 2pm in order to pack in as much high quality metal as possible. 

BLOODSTOCK are proud to announce the main stage headliner will be none other than legendary Swedish doom metal fiends CANDLEMASS. Celebrating their 40th anniversary, the epic five-piece are still taking stages by storm at festivals across the globe. Look out for their awesome upcoming Black Star EP, slated for release in May 2025. 

CANDLEMASS share, “Candlemass are proud to be a part of the Bloodstock Winter Gathering! We have always felt welcome on British soil and we’re excited to be there once again and deliver our special brand of Swedish doom metal! See ya all soon… Love you!!!”

Joining CANDLEMASS will be very special guests British thrashers VENOM INC (playing Ave in full for the first time ever!), plus hilarious extreme metallers RAISED BY OWLS, Scottish speed freaks HELLRIPPER, thrashcore mainstays TORTURED DEMON, and Welsh heavy hitters KING KRAKEN. 

But that’s not all! BLOODSTOCK’S WINTER GATHERING will also have a second stage for your aural delight, headlined by theatrical devils RED METHOD, powerful metalcore act THUUM, and Mancunian thrashers HELLBEARER, plus artist signing sessions, DJ sets, and more still to be announced.

Tickets cost £49.00 + booking fee, and are on sale right now here! With a strictly limited capacity, don’t hang about if you want to go!

Situated a 20-minute walk from Wolverhampton station and with all-day parking located around the venue for just £2, what better way to give yourself and your loved ones an early Christmas present. As well as a stacked lineup of skull-splitting bands, KK’s Steelmill also offer a range of snacks to satiate your hunger and drinks to quench your thirst from the bar, accepting cash, card, and contactless payments. And if December means you need your big coat, there’s a cloakroom for £1 per item!  

For all the latest info, keep your eyes peeled on the official event website here.