Hell Nights on Halloween 2026 - The Underground Edition

With the “Underground Edition,” Hell Nights is returning to its roots. The title pays homage to the legendary early editions of the Hell Nights Halloween events in Cologne’s underground scene—those evenings that many fans still consider unforgettable to this day. That’s exactly the feeling we want to bring back: the closeness to the stage, the raw energy, and the cult appeal that defined the scene.

In keeping with this spirit, the lineup brings together pioneers and rising stars of horror punk and gothic rock. The lineup features bands like GHOULS, who once performed Misfits classics on stage and later went their own way as The Other (and accordingly include songs by both bands in their set), the legendary THE CRIMSON GHOSTS, and ZOMBINA AND THE SKELETONES from England. At the same time, the focus is on the future: newcomers like WE’REWOLF and the well-known gothic rockers VLAD IN TEARS demonstrate just how diverse the scene is becoming.

Hell Nights 2026 at Club Volta in Cologne’s Carlswerk will thus be more than just a festival—it’s a journey back to the beginnings and, at the same time, a glimpse into the future of horror punk.