Wacken Open Air 2026 features metal church premiere and sunny weather

The 35th edition of the Wacken Open Air festival, held from July 29 to August 1, 2026, featured a variety of musical performances and unique cultural additions. Notably, the festival hosted the premiere of the ‘Headbangers’ Church Obergrombach,’ an ecumenical metal church initiative. Led by Pastoralreferent Mathias Fuchs and Wacken pastor Alisa Mühlfried, the service included musical performances by the band ‘MetalGodZ powered by Gelbsucht and friends’ and drew a large, enthusiastic congregation.

Weather conditions at the festival differed from previous years, as attendees experienced sunny and dusty conditions rather than the typical mud. Approximately 85,000 fans attended the sold-out event, which showcased a wide range of genres including Black Metal, Hardcore, Folk, and Industrial. Musical highlights included performances by Judas Priest, Saxon, Vreid, Paradise Lost, and Running Wild, among many others.