The Bands

Tuska 2026 once again presents a broad spectrum of heavy music. Friday is headlined by thrash metal legends Megadeth, Saturday belongs to Bad Omens, while Bring Me The Horizon closes the festival on Sunday.

The supporting cast is equally diverse. Friday brings names such as D-A-D, Pain, Blood Incantation, Gatecreeper, Ensiferum and Bloodred Hourglass. Saturday offers a strong mix of modern metal and heavier sounds with Trivium, P.O.D., Kublai Khan TX, Paleface Swiss, Rivers of Nihil and Swallow The Sun among others. Sunday concludes the weekend with performances by Queensrÿche, Amorphis, Tarot, Malevolence, Soilwork, Stam1na and Sara.

As always, Tuska also provides a platform for up-and-coming artists and showcases plenty of Finnish talent alongside internationally renowned names.

The Timing

Tuska 2026 takes place from Friday 26 June until Sunday 28 June at Suvilahti in Helsinki.

Festival gates open at 14:00 on Friday, 13:00 on Saturday and 14:00 on Sunday. Music and festivities continue until 01:00 on Friday and Saturday, while Sunday wraps up at midnight.

The full schedule has already been released, making it possible to start planning your weekend and preparing for any difficult timetable clashes well in advance.

The Grounds

Tuska calls the former industrial area of Suvilahti home, offering a unique setting of brick buildings and steel structures that perfectly complement the atmosphere of a heavy music festival. Located just outside Helsinki city centre, the site combines the feeling of a large international festival with the convenience of an urban event.

Music will once again be spread across four stages: the Karhu Main Stage, Radio City Stage, Nordic Energy Stage and KVLT Stage. Returning as well is Tuska Forum, which offers a programme of discussions and talks featuring artists, journalists, researchers and other cultural voices from around the world of heavy music.

One notable change compared to previous years concerns TuskaExpo. With Kattilahalli unavailable this year, the traditional indoor expo transforms into Tuplabazaari, a shopping street located beside the KVLT Stage. Familiar vendors and newcomers alike will offer everything from gothic fashion and handcrafted jewellery to leather accessories, cosmetics and even walk-in tattoos. This is basically the only major layout change for the 2026 edition compared to last year, so people already familiar with the terrain will find their way easily.

This is the way

One of Tuska’s biggest advantages is how easy it is to reach. The festival entrance is located near the Redi shopping centre in Helsinki’s Kalasatama district, with the Kalasatama metro station situated only a short walk away.

International visitors arriving at Helsinki Airport can easily reach the city centre by train before continuing by metro to the festival grounds. Organisers strongly recommend making use of public transportation, as there is no public parking available at the venue.

The Stay

Unlike many European festivals, Tuska does not offer a camping area. Instead, visitors can make use of Helsinki’s wide range of accommodation options, including hotels, hostels and apartments throughout the city.

Thanks to the excellent public transport connections, staying in the city centre and travelling to the festival grounds is straightforward and convenient.

Grub and Booze

Nobody needs to survive Tuska 2026 on liquid refreshments alone, as the festival once again brings together an impressive variety of food vendors catering to all kinds of tastes.

Fans of Italian cuisine can head to Bisou Bisou Pasta Bar for an ode to great pasta or enjoy authentic Neapolitan pizza courtesy of Fabio Pizza Al Volo. Pizzanpaistajat offer snack-sized pizzas with a Finnish twist, while Pies & Fries By Greenfinch serve hot savoury pies accompanied by fries and coleslaw.

Those looking for flavours from further afield can visit Bunit for Korean-style filled bread buns and loaded fries, Just Shawarma for authentic Lebanese shawarma, Seksico Burritos for burritos, nachos and salsa, or N4KU, which promises a journey through food culture.

Burger lovers are spoiled for choice with both Queens of Fucking Beer & Burgers and Treffi Pub & Bistro bringing their renowned charcoal-grilled burgers to Suvilahti. Richie’s Gourmet Hot Dogs serves high-quality sausages and creative dishes, while Papa’s Smokery BBQ specialises in hearty barbecue meals made from smoked meats. Loaded Premium Fries also returns with filling meals built around its signature fries.

Seafood enthusiasts can stop by Loimukeisarin Rullaamo for flame-grilled salmon wraps, with vegan alternatives available as well. Those seeking more sustainable and plant-based options can head to Rebl Eats, whose street food creations are built around plant proteins.

And for anyone with a sweet tooth, Makea Unelma offers freshly made doughnuts and other treats, while the Kolmen Kaverin Jäätelöauto serves artisan Finnish ice cream. Patisserie Teemu Aura Pullabiili invites visitors to give in to darker temptations with its selection of pastries and baked delights.

Beyond the regular food offerings, Tuska Forum also hosts two special tasting experiences. Friday’s Amorphis Whisky Tasting, organised together with Helsinki Distilling Company, is followed on Saturday by a Jägermeister tasting session exploring the history and flavours of the legendary herbal liqueur. Advance tickets for both tastings are available through Tiketti.

Damage and Tickets

Tickets: Click Here

Good To Know

Tuska is an 18+ event and valid identification may be requested upon entry.

The festival is entirely cashless, meaning all purchases inside the festival area must be made using card or mobile payment methods.

The official Tuska app has been updated for 2026 and provides quick access to schedules, maps, food vendors and other important festival information. It is available through both the App Store and Google Play.

Visitors arriving on their own need not worry about spending the weekend alone. In cooperation with the City of Helsinki, Tuska once again introduces a dedicated meeting point where old friends can reunite and new friendships can begin. Two signs, “Open to New Connections” and “Waiting for My Friend”, help festivalgoers find company, while special “Open to New Connections” stickers allow visitors to signal that they are happy to meet fellow metalheads.

Your wristband also opens doors beyond the festival grounds. During festival week, from 23 to 30 June, Tuska wristband holders can enjoy various benefits and experiences throughout Helsinki, ranging from food and drinks to tours and other activities.

The Preparties

The festivities start even before the festival gates open. This year, both Praha and The Riff will host official Tuska preparties, allowing visitors arriving early in Helsinki to already immerse themselves in the atmosphere and meet fellow festivalgoers before the first bands take the stage. The activities continue throughout the day turning these places in afterparty hotspots as well.

Praha

THU 25 June 2026 — 14:00–05:00  
Tuska Warm‑Up

FRI 26 June — 12:00–05:00  
DJ Night

SAT 27 June — 12:00–05:00  
DJ Night

SUN 28 June — 12:00–05:00  
DJ Night

Free entry

The riff

The first riffs of the day ring out here.

Doors open 11:00–04:30 every day of Tuska.
Iso Karhu flows for a fiver between 11:00–15:00.

There’s a rotating warm‑up program daily: corpse paint sessions, music bingo,
speed metal dating, festival grub and plenty more. Arrive early — this is where the day properly kicks off. And when the festival gates close, the rock doesn’t.
The party keeps going until 04:30.

Psst. Keep an eye on Instagram during the festival…
@theriffhelsinki
The Riff
Iso Roobertinkatu 3

Always free entry

The Afterparties

For those who still have energy left after the final bands have finished each night, Tuska once again offers official afterparties across Helsinki.

On The Rocks will host live performances continuing well into the early hours, a tradition where many legendary stories have come from.

On the Rocks

FRI 26 June 2026 — 23:30–04:30

LIVE: Waltari, Kosto
DJ: Pittsburgh Sam’s Witching Hour Club

Tickets: €13 advance / €15 at the door
With a Tuska wristband: €7.77 (advance & door)

—

SAT 27 June 2026 — 23:30–04:30

LIVE: Cumbeast, I, Cursed
DJ: Unleash Hell: DJ Larsen1c

Tickets: €13 advance / €15 at the door
With a Tuska wristband: €7.77 (advance & door)

—

SUN 28 June 2026 — 22:00–04:00

LIVE: Amberian Dawn (album release show), Dark Sarah
DJ: Hevidisko DJs Mikke The Flamer & Veneenkansi

Tickets: €23 advance / €25 at the door
With a Tuska wristband: €12 (advance & door)

Lepakkomies keeps the dance floor alive with heavy tunes, while Praha and The Riff also join the celebrations, hosting both preparties and afterparties throughout the weekend.

Lepakkomies

FRI 26 June 2026 — 23:00–04:00  
Emodisko

Tickets: €12 advance / €14 at the door
With a Tuska wristband: €9.99 advance / €12 at the door

—

SAT 27 June 2026 — 00:00–04:00  
Henri Seger & Viikonloppusoturit DJs play Iron Maiden

Free entry (cloakroom fee €3)

—

SUN 28 June 2026 — 22:00–04:00  
SLÆR plays SLAYER

Tickets: €10 advance / €12 at the door
With a Tuska wristband: €7.77 advance / €10 at the door

Together, On The Rocks, Lepakkomies, Praha and The Riff ensure that the party does not end when the stages at Suvilahti fall silent.