Grim Reefer Fest 2026: Full Lineup Announced
No arguments to make here with the lineup for Grim Reefer Fest 2026. The Baltimorean all-dayer has been a regular feature of East Coast Springtime for the last however-many, and continues to grow its reach each time out. Black Tusk take a headliner position that in past years has gone the likes of Weedeater or Bongzilla, and that feels fair enough for the heft they bring, while Howling Giant provide a rocking counterpart as they support their well-received 2025 album, Crucible and Ruin (review here). They’ll be in Europe in May for Desertfest as well, if you’re in that part of the world and not this one.
Of course there’s more to it than headliners, with New York’s Shadow Witch and Pennsylvania’s Almost Honest representing Argonauta Records, the fest-associated Haze Mage playing a set as the house band, and Seasick Gladiator, Total Maniac, Necromancer and Cemetery Sex included. All told, it’s a nine-band day that starts at 3:30 and goes, well, probably until you’re ready to go to bed. Party hearty.
From the PR wire:
Grim Reefer Fest 2026
We are excited to announce the return of Grim Reefer Fest! Join us once again at the legendary Ottobar in Baltimore, MD for a full day of heavy music, dank vibes, and high spirits! Join us on Saturday April 18th, 2026 as we celebrate the High Holidays with a stacked lineup from start to finish with some of the best bands the scene has to offer! Featuring the heavy sludge sounds of Black Tusk, the heavy harmonized riffs Howling Giant (whose latest album was one of the best of 2025), the rockin sounds of Baltimore favorites Total Maniac, and many more (9 bands total)! Additionally, fest founders Haze Mage are announcing an indefinite hiatus after this year’s festival so all the more reason to come give these local heavy heroes a proper sendoff!
This is the 8th year of Grim Reefer Fest and one of our most ambitious lineups yet! We’re proud of what we’re accomplishing as a DIY grassroots festival. The genres and sounds for this year’s bands range are diverse, rocking, and full of some of our favorite underground bands on the scene today!
The full list of performers at this year’s fest includes:
Black Tusk
Howling Giant
Total Maniac
Haze Mage
Shadow Witch
Cemetery Sex
Almost Honest
Seasick Gladiator
Necromancer
Doors are at 2:30pm, Music starts at 3:30pm and runs until midnight
Tickets are $40 online and can be purchased here: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/46043744
If still available, tickets day of the show will go up to $50 at the door
We’ll have a food truck on site all day to handle all of your munchies needs!
More details for the fest can be found at GrimReeferFest.com
(Poster art by Ghost Bat)
https://linktr.ee/grimreeferfest
http://www.grimreeferfest.com/
https://www.instagram.com/GrimReeferFest/
https://www.facebook.com/GrimReeferFest
