Berzerkus Festival Set to Shake Montage Mountain This August

SCRANTON, Pa. — Berzerkus, the hard rock and metal festival founded by guitarist Zakk Wylde, will expand to two cities in 2026, with The Pavilion at Montage Mountain hosting the opening date on Aug. 28 before the festival moves to Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York, on Aug. 29.

The Scranton stop will feature a lineup headlined by Lamb of God and Black Label Society. Also scheduled to perform are Down, Suicidal Tendencies, Zakk Sabbath and Dark Chapel, with regional support provided by tribute artists Fan Halen, Bonfire and Use Your Illusion.

The expansion marks a milestone for Berzerkus, which debuted as a single-event festival in 2024. By adding a second date, organizers are growing the event while maintaining a concentrated format built around two shows instead of a lengthy national tour.

The festival also reflects several chapters of Wylde's career. In addition to performing with Black Label Society, Wylde will take the stage with Zakk Sabbath, his long-running tribute to Black Sabbath. Dark Chapel, led by Black Label Society guitarist Dario Lorina, is also part of the bill, giving fans the opportunity to see multiple projects connected to Wylde's musical circle during the same event.

While the music is the centerpiece, Berzerkus is being promoted as a full-day experience for rock and metal fans. Organizers have scheduled the Ride for Dime motorcycle ride honoring the legacy of late Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell, along with a music gear market, custom car show, strongman competition and hot sauce eating contest. The Scranton date will also feature a Battle of the Bands showcasing regional talent.

Berzerkus also serves as the kickoff for the second leg of Black Label Society's American Crusade tour. Zakk Sabbath and Dark Chapel are slated to join Black Label Society on the run, making the Scranton festival both a standalone event and the launch point for the tour.

For fans throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey, the addition of Berzerkus continues Montage Mountain's growing reputation as a destination for major hard rock and metal events. Rather than traveling to larger destination festivals hundreds of miles away, regional fans will have the opportunity to see several nationally recognized acts in a single day close to home.

Tickets for the Aug. 28 festival are on sale now through Ticketmaster. Gates are scheduled to open at 1:15 p.m.

Festivalheads Travel Note: Planning to make a weekend of Berzerkus? Scranton offers convenient access from Interstate 81, and nearby Wilkes-Barre provides additional hotel options for fans traveling to the festival.