Nummirock celebrates its 40th anniversary with 18 000 metal fans under perfect Midsummer skies

Legendary Finnish metal festival Nummirock marked its 40th anniversary in style this past weekend, welcoming around 18,000 visitors to the shores of Lake Nummijärvi for four days of metal and Midsummer festivities.

Blessed with ideal weather conditions, the anniversary edition featured a mix of international heavyweights, beloved returning acts and rising talents. Among the highlights were performances from Black Veil Brides, Battle Beast, who played their first Finnish show with their new line-up, black metal giants Satyricon, and British power metal favourites Gloryhammer.

Several special moments added to the celebrations. Finnish hard rock veterans Boycott returned to Nummirock after a remarkable 34-year absence, while folk metal stalwarts Moonsorrow made one of their increasingly rare appearances on home soil. As has become something of a tradition, Eläkeläiset once again brought their trademark humppa party to Saturday afternoon.

The festival also continued its tradition of supporting new talent through the Wacken Metal Battle, with Finnish band Noiduin winning the competition thanks to their shamanic-inspired sound. Watch the interview we had with the band at Tuska last year here:

Nummirock‘s famous camping atmosphere once again proved to be one of the event’s biggest attractions. Festival-goers had already begun settling in at the campsite during the week leading up to the festival, while the newly introduced luxury glamping tents and cabins sold out months in advance.

Promoter Tero Viertola expressed his appreciation for the community spirit that has become synonymous with Nummirock.

“It’s wonderful that for many people Nummirock is more than just another festival. The colourful crowd puts so much effort into their outfits every year, and the little oases built by visitors at the campsite are truly amazing.”

The anniversary year also saw several artists release songs inspired by the festival, while Nummirock launched its own wines for the first time. Viertola thanked the entire team and artists involved in making the 40th edition a memorable one and revealed that preparations for next year’s event are already underway.

Nummirock will return to Kauhajoki, Finland, from June 23 to June 26, 2027.