Bloodstock Open Air has dropped a bumper batch of festival news ahead of its 25th anniversary event at Catton Park, Derbyshire this August — and while there are no new band announcements this time around, there’s plenty to get excited about for a lineup that already includes Lamb of God, Judas Priest, Saxon and Slaughter to Prevail headlining the Ronnie James Dio main stage, with Cryptopsy, Carpenter Brut, Leprous and Wednesday 13 topping the Sophie Lancaster Stage.
Fancy Dress Themes Confirmed
The festival has revealed its daily fancy dress themes for 2026, giving attendees maximum time to raid charity shops and fire up their imaginations. Thursday is Dinosaurs — a returning theme, and an easy sell given that Heavysaurus are on the bill. Friday goes dark with Twisted Fairytales (“Malice in Wonderland” is already a strong contender). Saturday rolls back to the 1980s, with mullets, neon leg warmers and leopard print all firmly encouraged — fitting for a weekend that also features Body Count, Testament and Death Angel. Sunday rounds things off with a Lord of the Rings and Fantasy theme, timed to coincide with a special exhibition in the RAM Gallery: festival founder and artist Paul Gregory will be displaying his original oil on canvas LOTR-inspired painting Morannon — an imposing 1.8m x 3m piece last shown over twenty years ago at the indoor Bloodstock.
Black Ice Cream Is Back
Arguably as anticipated as some of the headliners, the legendary Black Ice Cream returns for 2026 with a new and improved recipe. Find it at the ice cream truck nearest the Ronnie James Dio main stage — where Lamb of God and Judas Priest will be headlining later in the weekend.
Food, Drink and Shopping
Beyond the ice cream, the food offering spans vegan fried chik’n, sushi, paella, smoked meats, gyoza, mac ‘n’ cheese, pies, Spudman and more. Full trader details including gluten-free, halal, veggie and vegan options are available at bloodstock.uk.com. Market traders in the main arena cover everything from vintage clothing and accessories to sculptures and jewellery, including a collab twin axe pendant from Black Feather’s Nox of York, designed with Killswitch Engage’s Jesse Leach — himself a Bloodstock headliner alumni.
VIP Upgrades
VIP ticket holders can look forward to the returning Serpents Lair entertainment programme — with the Never Mind the Bloodstocks quiz hosted by Raised By Owls already confirmed — plus a brand new Spa Pass offering wood-fired hot tubs, cold plunge baths, aromatherapy showers, a sauna with birch whisk and unlimited herbal teas. The Pamper Parlour also returns with mohawks, Viking beard plaits, warpaint and massage on offer.
Late Night Entertainment
When the stages go dark, the party continues. Highlights across the weekend include a souped-up silent disco at the New Blood Stage on Thursday with more channels and headsets than ever, Friday’s Rage Against the ’90s night — a full-volume set of nu-metal, grunge and stoner vibes featuring Deftones, Korn, Pantera and Slipknot, perfect warm-up material for a weekend that includes Municipal Waste, Sepultura and Bleed From Within. Friday also brings the Blood Rave at the Sophie Stage, inspired by the opening scene of Blade and tailor-made for fans of Carpenter Brut’s late-night electronics. Sunday closes with Rich Harris’s end-of-weekend singalong party.
Charity Partners
Bloodstock has confirmed its 2026 charity partners as the Sophie Lancaster Foundation and Heavy Metal Truants. The latter — co-founded by Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood — has raised over £1.6 million for children’s charities since 2013 and is this year cycling 175 miles from London to Bloodstock itself, with previous riders including members of Amon Amarth, Trivium and Judas Priest. Sign-ups are open now at heavymetaltruants.com.
Travel
Big Green Coach services will run from pickup points across the UK, with Wednesday arrival now bookable for the first time. Shuttle buses from Tamworth station will also run on Wednesday for those arriving by train.
Tickets
All weekend tickets are sold out, but day tickets remain available at £99 (+fees). Under-4s attend free. Full details at bloodstock.uk.com.
Bloodstock 2026 takes place at Catton Park, Derbyshire, 6–9 August.