Music
Wacken Open Air
바켄 오픈에어
Wacken Open Air is a heavy metal music festival held annually in the village of Wacken, Germany. Often referred to as the world's largest and most renowned metal festival, it transforms the rural village of 2,000 residents into a gathering of 80,000 metal fans. Visitors can expect a unique experience dubbed 'metal pilgrimage,' which includes camping, sometimes in muddy conditions. Tickets typically sell out in advance sales approximately one year before the festival.
- Date
- 2026-07-29 ~ 2026-08-01
- City
- Wacken
- Country
- 🇩🇪 Germany
- Audience
- Metal fans
- Hotels (per night)
- $90–220
- Venue
- Wacken Festival Grounds
Typical 14–22°C · ~53% chance of rain on a given day (2016-2025 avg)
✈️ Getting There
- Airport Hamburg Airport (HAM), ~1.5 h drive
- Local access Shuttle from Itzehoe station
- Where to base On-site camping is effectively the only option
⭐ Community & Reviews
- “The Small German Village of Wacken (population ~1800) is home to the worlds largest heavy metal music festival bringing in close to 90'000 people from around”
- “r/wacken: Unofficial subreddit for Germany&39;s biggest metal festival. are announced for the Wacken Open Air,”
- “Legendary performances, gorgeous campground atmosphere and exciting glimpses behind the scenes are gathered here. Meet the Wacken-crew with our host Harry Metal”
See what travelers are saying — posts, photos and reviews.
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FAQ
When is Wacken Open Air 2026?
It runs 2026-07-29 ~ 2026-08-01.
Where is Wacken Open Air held?
In Wacken, Germany, at Wacken Festival Grounds.
How do I get tickets?
Buy from the official ticket page. Popular festivals sell out early, so check on-sale dates in advance.
Where should I stay?
On-site camping is effectively the only option
What's the weather like?
Based on the last 10 years, expect 14–22°C with roughly a 53% chance of rain on any given day.