Festival Arena

OPENING HOURS

  • COMBI ticket holders can collect their wristbands as of Wednesday at 3 pm.
  • Day tickets (Thursday – Friday – Saturday – Sunday) can be exchanged for a festival wristband on the day starting at 8 am
  • Click here for the opening hours of Camping Boneyard, Camping Inferno, Camping Metal Town, Metal Park and Devil’s Lake. As of this year festival tickets can be exchanged for festival wristbands at every campsite.
  • The Metal Plaza – the zone between camping Boneyard and the festival arena – opens at 10 am on Thursday through Sunday. Every festival day concludes in the Metal Dome at 5 am. The festival arena and the Metal Plaza will remain closed on Wednesday.
  • Starting Thursday the VIP Deck is accessible every day from 11 am.
  • Festival Fair and Metal Market
    • Dido's Den 
      • Wednesday 14 June 3 pm - midnight
      • Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 June 10 am - midnight 
    • Festival Fair
      • Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 June 10 am - midnight
      • Sunday 18 June 10 am - 10 pm
    • Metal Market
      • Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 June 10 am - 9 pm
      • Sunday 18 June 10 am - 8 pm

CASHLESS

At the festival you no longer pay for food and drink with physical tokens but with the Skullies on your festival wristband. This means that from now on, the tag on your festival wristband acts as your electronic wallet. No more losing tokens! Skullies are also accepted at our campsites Boneyard, Inferno and Metal Town. During the festival one Skully is €3.50. Leftover Skullies after the festival? Create an account and you’ll receive a refund for the full value (minus a 0.5 Skully service fee).

From Monday 5 June you can create your account and upload Skullies HERE.

FOOD & DRINK

Hungry? This is Belgium so naturally there are French fries with mayonnaise, as well as hamburgers and hotdogs. Also on the festival menu: pancakes and pulled pork, wraps & baps, juice, snacks and much more. Breakfast is served at the terrace at Camping Boneyard from 8 am and our fabulous food trucks offer a delicious menu for you to choose from. We’ve made an effort to provide a varied menu and cater to those who prefer gluten & lactose-free, veggie or vegan options. 

Thirsty festival-goers have a choice of cold beers, soft drinks, water and energy drinks. We’re also serving half-litre beers smack in the middle of the festival arena. The Belgian Beer Bar and The Beers & Stories (at the foodtruck zone) have some of our famous speciality beers on tap. Not a beer drinker? Then quench your thirst at our cocktrail bars or at one of our wine, cava and coffee bars.

Not to forget:

  • all sanitary blocks have free drinkable water.
  • you can’t bring your own food & drink into the festival arena. Be sure to bring a valid prescription if you’re on a special diet (gluten or lactose-free) or if you need medication. This way our security staff will know why you brought medication and/or syringes and any awkward discussions can be avoided.
  • No alcohol is served to under 16s as this is prohibited by law. Buying alcoholic beverages for under 16s is a criminal offence, even if you’re over 16. The minimum age for spirits is 18.

CALLING & BROWSING

There’s free WiFi at the main festival entrance. Rent a charging stick from the Recharge Stand. All mobile operators will boost their capacity during the festival.

TOILET FACILITIES

In the festival arena there are ample toilet facilities and urinals spread across the various sanitary blocks. Use of the toilets is free. Let us just remind you that urinating in public is frowned upon! There’s no need to urinate against trees, fences, tents, stalls...

LOCKERS

Don’t give pickpockets the chance to ruin your festival weekend and store your valuables in the lockers at the Main Entrance. You can rent a locker for a single day or for the duration of the festival. Day lockers are emptied at the end of each festival day. Lockers are always accessible during festival hours but not at night.

Opening hours:

  • Wed: 15h – 04h
  • Thue/ Fri/Sat/Sun: 08h – 04h
  • Mon: 06h – 12h
SIZESPRIZES
Small: 21,5 cm x 22,9 cm x 45 cmSmall: 12 euro/day
Small: 40 euro/weekend
Small with charger: 20 cm x 20 cm x 40 cmSmall: 12 euro/day
 
Big: 40 cm x 40 cm x 45 cmBig: 12 euro/day
Big: 40 euro/weekend

INFO & LOST AND FOUND

Questions about train schedules, signing sessions, the weather, programme changes, ...? The friendly staff at the info stand located at the Main Entrance will be glad to assist you in any way they can. The info stand is also the place to collect lost belongings or hand in found items. After the festival please call Dessel police station at pz.balendesselmol.wijkdessel@police.belgium.eu and +32 14 33 37 80 for all lost/found items.

Report damage, theft or missing persons? Lose your identity card?
Go to the police post situated between the main festival entrance and camping Boneyard.

PROTECT YOUR HEARING

Hearing damage from overexposure to loud music is no laughing matter. In other words: enjoy the music but protect your ears. That is why free earplugs are available at the kiosks in the festival arena and at the info stand. Or you can go to the EARPLUG stand at the Main Entrance: here you can collect free earplugs or purchase Alpine filter earplugs.

SAFETY & SECURITY

The safety of all our GMM visitors is paramount. That is why there is a ban on crowdsurfing and why it is prohibited to climb trees and scaffolds, light fires and smoke in the tents and marquees. 

Metal detectors
All ticket holders must pass through a metal detector to gain access to the festival arena. Please note you may be frisked at the entrance and our security staff may want to search your bags or backpack. Click here (English version on p. 2) for an exhaustive list of items that are not allowed in the festival arena. Tip: bring only the essentials and store all other belongings in a locker at the main festival entrance.

In the event of an emergency situation

Remain calm. Get yourself to safety and leave your belongings behind. If possible keep an eye on your friends as well. Follow the instructions of the security staff. Keep an eye on the LED message boards. Text, don’t call.

first aid

If you require medical assistance please approach one of the Red Cross staff patrolling the main festival arena. If you can make it that far, you can also report to one of two Red Cross stations: in camping Boneyard, or in the main festival arena.

FAQ FESTIVAL ARENA

What can/can’t I bring into the main festival arena?

Click here for an exhaustive list of items you can/can’t bring into the arena. (English version on p. 2)

Can I bring my camera?

Small (digital) cameras are allowed. Photo equipment with an interchangeable lens and professional cameras are not allowed. Filming and sound recording equipment (including GoPros) is also banned.

Can I bring my prescription medication/special food?

You can but please remember to bring a valid doctor's prescription. The Red Cross stations will provide cold storage if necessary

Is free water available at the festival?

You’ll find faucets with drinkable water in the sanitary blocks at the campsites and in the main festival arena.

What about facilities and carers for visitors with a disability?

We’ve been working with Inter for a number of years now in order to improve the festival experience for people with a disability. Click here for full details.

I’ve lost my... (please complete). Help!

Check the info stand to see whether your lost item has been brought in. Theft can be reported at the on-site police post. After the festival please contact Dessel police station (Kwademeer 26, 2480 Dessel, tel. No. +32 14 33 37 80).

Are there any age restrictions at the festival?

There is no minimum age. Children do not have free access and they are not entitled to a discount. We advise against bringing babies and young children to the festival. Children are more sensitive to hearing damage and they are obviously more vulnerable in a sea of (sometimes intoxicated) adults. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult (+18) at all times.

When is Graspop Metal Meeting and who is playing?

What bands are on the bill? What’s the running order? Graspop Metal Meeting will take place from Thursday 15 June to Sunday 18 June 2023. Click here for the line-up.

I am pregnant. Does the festival offer special facilities for pregnant women?

No. Ask your GP or your gynaecologist whether or not coming to the festival is a good idea. If you do decide to come you will be doing so on your own responsibility.

Can I hand out promotional materials at the festival grounds?

It is strictly prohibited to put up posters or hand out flyers or other promotional materials at the festival park.

I’d like to work at Graspop Metal Meeting. Where can I apply?

Unfortunately we have no vacancies for individual volunteers at GMM. However, we have been working with a number of organisations for many years. Your organisation can apply here to work at the festival.

Would you like to run a merchandise stand in the Metal Market or the Festival Fair?

Contact Orange Artist Promotion (Dido Smit): tel. 0031 (0)70 3856001 or info@festivalfair.eu if you want to set up your own stall in the metal market or festival fair.