Nancy Open Air - Heavy Weekend
The heavy metal and hard rock festival in the open air at the Zénith de Nancy
About Heavy Weekend
A unique amphitheater in France for the giants of metal
The Heavy Weekend - Nancy Open Air was born in 2024 from an ambitious concept: to utilize the exceptional configuration of the Zénith du Grand Nancy, a venue shaped like an electric guitar whose reversible stage opens onto an outdoor amphitheater capable of hosting up to 25,000 people. Nestled at the foot of the Haye forest, in Maxéville, this unique setting offers unparalleled acoustics and atmosphere in France for a heavy music festival.
International legends on a single stage
Produced by Gérard Drouot Productions (GDP), one of France's leading show promoters, the Heavy Weekend stands out with a top-tier lineup exclusively featuring international headliners. From its very first edition in 2024, the festival made a strong impact with Scorpions, Deep Purple, Judas Priest, Megadeth, Alice Cooper, and Extreme. The 2025 edition continued this momentum with Slipknot, Dream Theater, Powerwolf, Saxon, Europe, and Mass Hysteria. For 2026, Sabaton, Gojira (for their only French concert), and Electric Callboy are announced alongside Trivium, Savatage, and the Cavalera Brothers.
A concept with no overlaps
The artistic direction of the Heavy Weekend is clear: one stage, no overlapping concerts. Each evening, a major headliner closes the show, preceded by carefully selected bands to ensure a progressive build-up. This format allows festival-goers to enjoy the entire lineup without frustration, in a grand outdoor concert atmosphere.
A major event in the Grand Est region
In just three editions, the Heavy Weekend has established itself as one of the biggest metal and hard rock festivals in France and the unmissable summer event in the Grand Est region. The event is part of the broader Nancy Open Air season, a summer series of outdoor concerts at the Zénith du Grand Nancy, which also hosts other musical events throughout the summer. The combination of an international-caliber lineup, an exceptional venue, and professional organization makes the Heavy Weekend a benchmark in the European metal scene.
Heavy Weekend — edition 2026
Third edition of the Heavy Weekend from June 5 to 7, 2026 at Nancy Open Air (Zénith de Nancy, Maxéville), with 12 bands spread over three evenings: Sabaton on Friday, Gojira (unique French concert in 2026) on Saturday, and Electric Callboy on Sunday. 3-day pass from 185 €, day tickets from 79 €.
Heavy Weekend 2026: Sabaton, Gojira and Electric Callboy at Nancy Open Air
The third edition of the Heavy Weekend will take place from June 5 to 7, 2026 at the Zénith du Grand Nancy, in the open-air amphitheater of Maxéville. Three days, twelve bands, a single stage: the format is now well established and each evening features an international headliner surrounded by three high-caliber guests.
Friday, June 5 is dedicated to heavy and power metal with Sabaton headlining, accompanied by Tobias Sammet's Avantasia, Savatage, and Dominum. Saturday, June 6 belongs to Gojira, who has made Heavy Weekend their only French date of 2026, supported by Trivium, the Cavalera Brothers (special Chaos A.D. set), and Nova Twins. Sunday, June 7 shifts to a more modern and theatrical style with Electric Callboy, Three Days Grace, Ice Nine Kills, and Shaârghot.
The sale of 3-day passes (185 €) began on October 27, 2025, and day tickets then range from 79 to 112 €. The festival is organized by Gérard Drouot Productions and Label LN at the Zénith de Nancy (up to 6,000 people outdoors), with enhanced service by the Zénith 1 and Zénith 2 shuttles of the Stan network on the weekend.
Programme Heavy Weekend 2026
Friday, June 5, 2026 — Heavy / Power Metal
- Sabaton — The Swedish combo returns to Nancy with its historical power metal dedicated to military figures (Napoleon, Joan of Arc, Julius Caesar). Friday's headliner.
- Tobias Sammet's Avantasia — German rock-opera metal led by the Edguy singer, with multiple vocal guests.
- Savatage — American symphonic metal legend, back on European stages.
- Dominum — Emerging German heavy metal with theatrical costumes, opening act.
Saturday, June 6, 2026 — Groove / Heavy Metal
- Gojira — Saturday's headliner, unique concert in France in 2026 for the four Frenchmen who have become global references in progressive metal.
- Trivium — American metalcore / heavy metal led by Matt Heafy.
- Cavalera "Chaos A.D." — Max and Iggor Cavalera (ex-Sepultura) replay the entirety of the cult album Chaos A.D. from 1993.
- Nova Twins — British female punk / nu-metal duo, rising stars of the alternative scene.
Sunday, June 7, 2026 — Metalcore / Modern Rock
- Electric Callboy — German metalcore / electro phenomenon, festive anthems and overflowing energy. Headliner of the closing night.
- Three Days Grace — Canadian alternative rock, 2026 tour.
- Ice Nine Kills — American metalcore with a horror movie aesthetic.
- Shaârghot — French industrial metal project, post-apocalyptic theatrical stage performance.
Doors open at 5:30 PM each evening. Detailed program and schedules on the official website heavyweekend.live.
Highlights Heavy Weekend 2026
- Gojira in French exclusivity 2026 — unique concert in France that year
- Cavalera Brothers: special Chaos A.D. set (cult album from 1993 replayed in its entirety)
- Compact format 3 days / 12 bands / single open-air stage at Zénith de Nancy
- International headliners: Sabaton, Gojira, Electric Callboy
- Capacity up to 6,000 spectators, free/economical shuttles on weekends (Stan Zénith 1 & 2)
Prices Heavy Weekend 2026
Practical information — Heavy Weekend
Practical Information - Heavy Weekend 2026
Dates
Friday 5, Saturday 6, and Sunday 7 June 2026.
Location
The festival takes place at the Zénith du Grand Nancy, in the outdoor amphitheater, Rue du Zénith, 54320 Maxéville.
Access
- By car: From the A31 motorway, take the Nancy-Maxéville exit. The Zénith is located in the former Solvay quarries area. Follow the "Zénith" signs.
- By train: Nancy-Ville station (TGV Est from Paris in 1h30). From the station, the Zénith is accessible by tram (line 1, CHU Brabois stop then transfer) or by special shuttle on concert nights.
- Parking: Free parking near the Zénith. Park-and-ride facilities with shuttles may be available on busy nights.
Ticketing
Tickets are available on the official website heavyweekend.live, on zenith-de-nancy.com, and at usual points of sale. Several options are offered:
- 3-day pass: starting from €185 (2026 price)
- 1-day pass: available for each evening
- VIP offers: premium packages with priority access
Schedule
Doors open in the early afternoon. Concerts run until late evening. Detailed schedules will be announced a few weeks before the festival.
On-site Services
- Food and drink stands on site
- Official merchandise booths
- Water points and restrooms
Contact
- Official website: www.heavyweekend.live
- Zénith Ticketing: 03 72 31 28 04
- Zénith Information: 03 83 93 27 27
House Rules
As with all events at the Zénith du Grand Nancy, the festival enforces strict rules: no glass bottles, dangerous objects, or umbrellas are allowed. Large bags are not permitted. Security checks are carried out at the entrance.
Accessibility
The Zénith du Grand Nancy is accessible to people with reduced mobility. Reserved seating is available in the amphitheater. For any specific requests, please contact Zénith ticketing in advance of the event.
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Where does it take place — Heavy Weekend
Zénith du Grand Nancy - Amphithéâtre en plein air
Rue du Zénith, 54320 Maxéville