16 New Rock + Metal Tours Announced This Past Week

As 2025 draws to a close, the momentum in rock and metal touring shows no signs of waning. Recent announcements reveal at least sixteen new tours and festival engagements lined up for 2026, featuring a blend of established headliners and rising acts, ensuring a vibrant live music landscape for fans.

Foremost among the announcements is Canadian rock band Nickelback, embarking on a significant North American tour spanning from February through May. Supporting them will be British alternative rock group Don Broco, adding an extra layer of dynamic energy to the extensive run. This tour marks one of the band's most ambitious live schedules in recent years.

For enthusiasts craving heavier sounds, Greek symphonic death metal outfit SepticFlesh is set to return to the U.S. market. They will join Arch Enemy and The Black Dahlia Murder on a North American trek, while also carving out select headline dates. This dual approach allows SepticFlesh to engage both festival crowds and dedicated followers with more intimate performances.

In a tradition beloved by their fanbase, Dropkick Murphys have unveiled their annual St. Patrick’s Day tour dates, including five newly added shows in their native Boston. This localized segment will cap off their tour, delivering a homecoming experience steeped in the band’s Celtic punk roots.

Festival circuits also received fresh lineups: Sonic Temple Festival's 2027 roster is taking shape with notable rock and metal acts such as A Perfect Circle, Primus, Sleeping With Sirens, and Clutch confirmed. Although the full lineup remains pending, these early reveals signal a strong festival season ahead.

Los Angeles will host the annual ALTer Ego radio festival in January 2027 at the Kia Forum, featuring a diverse lineup including Evanescence, The Offspring, Billy Corgan, Death Cab for Cutie, and Modest Mouse. This event promises to draw a wide audience with its mix of alternative and rock staples.

Another noteworthy addition to the festival calendar is the inaugural Dial Up Festival, scheduled for November 7 at the Great Park Live in Irvine, California. The event will showcase a variety of artists spanning rock, hip-hop, and alternative genres, including Nelly, Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth, and Buckcherry, offering a cross-genre experience.

Beyond touring and festivals, several benefit concerts and special events have been announced. Sully Erna of Godsmack has curated an all-star lineup for the Scars Foundation Celebrity Jam in December at Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, featuring members from Aerosmith, Disturbed, Staind, Extreme, and Three Days Grace. This gathering underscores the community’s commitment to philanthropy through music.

Warren Haynes is preparing for the 34th edition of his annual Christmas Jam in Asheville, North Carolina. The event will spotlight Gov't Mule along with guest performances by Greta Van Fleet, The War on Drugs, and other notable artists, continuing its tradition as a festive highlight for rock aficionados.

Holiday-themed shows are also on the horizon, such as Anthony Green’s paired concerts in December at venues in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, supported by acts Keith Goodwin, Honeycrush, and Dogwood Tales. These intimate events provide seasonal engagement with fans outside large festival settings.

The touring calendar further includes specialized residencies and screenings: The Used will present a concert film titled 'A Mid Summer Night's Symphony' at the Landmark Nuart Theatre in Los Angeles, showcasing their Sydney Opera House performance. Meanwhile, Las Vegas will host a residency at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace featuring headline acts in two separate date clusters.

In Canada, tribute shows honoring the late Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip will span multiple venues throughout October, highlighting local and national talent in a series under the GEDFest banner. Additionally, the Subterranean Dissonance Festival in Philadelphia will feature a lineup of experimental and heavy acts in early February.

Collectively, these announcements illustrate a robust and diverse touring environment for rock and metal in 2026, with artists and festivals alike preparing to deliver rich live experiences. While some details remain limited, the confirmed dates and lineups reflect a scene eager to reconnect with audiences through energetic performances and community-focused events.