Rockin’ Thunder is already shaping up to be one of next summer’s loudest weekends. Fresh off its sold-out debut, the Edmonton festival has locked in two massive headliners for 2026: Creed and Three Days Grace. The announcement arrives just in time for the holidays, giving rock fans a pretty solid reason to wrap up tickets early.
After packing out Exhibition Lands Racetrack this year, the festival is clearly stepping into its second round with serious intent. Three Days Grace will take the Saturday slot, bringing the kind of high-voltage catalogue that has fueled rock radio for two decades. Songs like “Animal I Have Become” and “I Hate Everything About You” have become generational markers, and the band’s reputation for big, emotional, sweat-soaked performances means their return to an Edmonton stage is bound to feel like a homecoming.
On Sunday, Creed closes the festival with the force of a band that knows exactly what their songs mean to people. Their recent run of reunion shows has reminded everyone just how massive hits like “Higher,” “One Last Breath,” and “With Arms Wide Open” still are. Their last Edmonton stop was a sell-out that left fans buzzing for weeks, and their appearance at Rockin’ Thunder gives the city a second shot at witnessing a band whose resurgence has been nothing short of explosive.
Festival CEO Troy Vollhoffer says the goal for year two is simple: go bigger. And if this is the starting point, the rest of the lineup is going to be wild. More artist announcements will roll out in the new year, including the return of the YEG Rocks! Stage, where local acts and rising Canadian talent get their shine.
Rockin’ Thunder 2026 promises two full days of guitars, nostalgia, chaos, and energy—exactly the kind of atmosphere that turned this year’s inaugural edition into one of the standout events of the summer. With a new payment plan allowing fans to secure tickets for just $20 upfront, it’s easier than ever to lock in a spot before the festival gets louder.
Rockin’ Thunder hits Edmonton July 11–12, 2026. Tickets are on sale now at rockinthunderfest.com.
