Fans of the legendary rock group Motörhead will gather at Donington Park in Castle Donington, England, on June 12, 2026, to honor the late frontman and rock icon Lemmy Kilmister. As part of the band’s ongoing “Lemmy Forever” initiative, a seventh memorial ceremony will take place at 3:00 p.m. local time during the 2026 Download festival.
The special tribute will be held at the onsite Lemmy‘s Lounge. During the ceremony, a miniature version of Lemmy‘s custom urn containing a portion of his ashes will be enshrined inside a classic fruit machine. The chosen vessel represents one of the musician’s favorite lifelong pastimes and a staple of his life on the road.
For several years, these ceremonies have ensured that Lemmy‘s legacy remains closely connected to his fans and the venues that held personal meaning for him. Historically, Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell felt a strong brotherly responsibility to personally place the ashes at these events. Following Phil Campbell‘s tragic passing in March 2026, another close friend of Lemmy will step in to preside over this year’s ceremony and carry the torch forward.
The upcoming event will serve as a dual tribute, offering fans an opportunity to pay their respects to both Lemmy and Phil Campbell.
“It remains a responsibility we proudly carry,” tells Motörhead manager Todd Singerman. “Not everyone can make the pilgrimage to visit Lemmy in Hollywood, so we are bringing Lem back to his fans. These places meant something to him, and they mean something to the people who loved him. It’s important that they have somewhere they can come, raise a glass, share a story, and spend a moment with him.”
Addressing the recent loss of the band’s longtime guitarist, Singerman added: “When Phil passed, we lost such an important family member, and I know Lem would insist we all raise a glass to Phil as well.”
The “Lemmy Forever” campaign has previously seen the frontman’s ashes honored at several of his favorite locations around the world, including Hellfest in France, Wacken Open Air in Germany, Bloodstock Open Air, and the Rainbow Bar & Grill in West Hollywood. Ceremonies have also taken place at Stringfellows in London and in his hometown of Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent.
Following the Download festival, the journey will head north. On June 16 at 12:00 p.m., the exact ashes displayed at Download will be transported to the O2 Apollo Manchester for an additional “Lemmy Forever” ceremony. The ashes will make the annual pilgrimage to Download each summer before returning to the O2 Apollo Manchester, giving fans a permanent location to visit Lemmy throughout the rest of the year.
