Touring metal festivals will either play one date in multiple cities or will run in a city or location that will change from year to year. One of the more visible national touring metal festivals is Ozzy Osbourne's OzzFest which he began in 1996. OzzFest has regularly included a lineup of prominent bands on the main stage and lesser known acts on a second stage. Rockstar Energy Company's Mayhem Festival also successfully tours the country with headliners on a main stage and a variety of other music and talents acts on side stages. Other festivals that change location yearly include ProgPower USA and Scion Rock Fest.
State metal festivals have proven to be reliable yearly events. Rocklahoma in Oklahoma began in 2007 and has grown into a weekend long event that encourages family attendance, includes vendors, provides campgrounds and even has its own Miss Rocklahoma contest. Maryland Deathfest has been running since 2003 and along with national acts, focuses on rare and popular international acts that festival goers might otherwise never have a chance to see. Other state metal festivals include: Minnesota Metal Festival, California Metal Fest and Colorado Metal Fest.
Regional festivals are not all alike. Some predominantly showcase area bands like the free Tidal Wave Heavy Metal Festival in the Bay Area and some book national and international touring bands. One of the longest running regional festivals is the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival which began in 1999. Aside from the bands, the festival has grown to draw in vendors, labels, sponsors and agents. Other regional festivals include: Warriors of Metal Fest in Ohio, Wake the Dead Festival in Kansas, Midwest Metal Anthem in Illinois, Northwest Death Fest in Seattle, Chicago Powerfest, Kansas City Power Metal Fest and the Richmond Metalfest in Virginia.