Organizers of Dark Ceremony Festival have announced that the 2026 edition of the event will no longer take place, following the unfortunate withdrawal of headliners FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM from the lineup.
In a statement released today, the festival team confirmed that due to the limited time available to secure a suitable replacement, they made the difficult decision not to proceed with this year’s event. Rather than rushing a restructured lineup or canceling at the last minute, the organizers chose to pause and refocus their efforts on the next edition of the festival in 2027.
“While this step is not taken lightly, it is done to keep the integrity and best interests of everyone to make sure we have the best lineup possible whenever putting on the festival.”
All tickets purchased for Dark Ceremony Festival 2026 will be fully refunded at the original point of purchase.
The cancellation comes just two months after Dark Ceremony Festival 2026 was announced, with plans to return on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Houston’s White Oak Music Hall. The initial lineup promised a rare and compelling gathering of gothic rock and post-punk across generations, led by FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM, alongside SHE PAST AWAY, PINK TURNS BLUE, TRAITRS, and additional artists yet to be revealed.
FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM were set to headline the festival, marking a rare U.S. appearance and a long-anticipated return for one of gothic rock’s most influential acts. Their absence ultimately made it impossible for organizers to confidently move forward on the original vision for the event.
Despite the disappointment, the festival team expressed gratitude for the community’s understanding and support, emphasizing their commitment to delivering a lineup that meets the expectations of both artists and fans alike.
“We look forward to seeing you all next year.”
Further details regarding Dark Ceremony Festival 2027 are expected to be announced at a later date.
