Hellfest was an all-ages American music festival that existed between 1997 and 2005. The festival primarily focused on bands of the hardcore genre and occasionally metal bands as well. It originated in Central New York, around Syracuse, but eventually relocated to Central New Jersey during its final years. Hellfest was known for its fan-friendly atmosphere, including a lack of barriers that provided easy access to the stage for stage diving and sing-alongs. It also encouraged high social-awareness through workshops, focusing on such causes as animal rights, LGBTQ and politics, with many of its attendees following straight-edge and/or vegetarian or vegan lifestyles.