After making a strong impact with its first edition last year, Bloodstock’s Winter Gathering is set to return for another full day of indoor metal mayhem. The event takes over KK’s Steelmill in Wolverhampton on Saturday, December 5, bringing the festival spirit back into a more intimate setting — but with no shortage of volume.
The venue sits about a 20-minute walk from Wolverhampton station, with cheap all-day parking close by. Food will be available throughout the day, along with a fully stocked bar accepting cash, card, and contactless payments. A cloakroom will also be on hand for anyone arriving bundled up for December weather.
Doors open at 2 PM, with bands running from 3 PM through 11 PM across two stages, locking in eight straight hours of live metal.
Headlining the main stage are Greek extreme metal veterans Rotting Christ, bringing decades of black metal atmosphere and commanding live presence.
Also on the bill are Ukrainian blackened death outfit 1914, known for their World War I-inspired intensity, and Leeds crossover thrash crew Pest Control, who deliver fast, sharp aggression.
Slam chaos merchants Party Cannon are also confirmed, alongside theatrical riff-heavy fantasy pirates Red Rum. Doom fans can expect something darker from classic heavyweights Witchsorrow, while punk-tinged prog starters Square Wild open the day’s main stage action.
The second stage will be topped by UK thrash bruisers Shrapnel, backed by doom/death heavy hitters The Crawling, epic metal storytellers Moon Reaper, and Staffordshire punk wrecking crew Head Dent.
Winter Gathering will once again feature the added touches that helped make last year stand out, including S’tanta’s Grotto, band signing sessions, giveaways, and the return of the event’s snow machine.
“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 for Bloodstock’s Winter Gathering are already on sale. For updates and full event details, fans should keep an eye on the official Winter Gathering website.
