Wacken is a municipality near the town of Itzehoe in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The village was first mentioned in 1148, although there were probably earlier settlements, as evidenced by the discovery of Germanic artefacts. Today, Wacken is best known for hosting one of the world’s largest open-air heavy metal festivals, Wacken Open Air. The festival has featured legendary acts such as Iron Maiden, Scorpions, Saxon, Alice Cooper, Deep Purple, Mötley Crüe, Slayer, Rammstein, Motörhead, Slipknot, and Judas Priest, as well as local favourites and long-time regulars like Subway to Sally and the Wacken Firefighters’ Band. Every resident of Wacken receives free entry to the festival.
BREWERY
FESTIVALS
Upcoming gigs in Wacken
31 Jul 2026 Wacken Open Air 2026 Wacken Open Air 2026
Artists
- Airbourne
- Arch Enemy
- Black Label Society
- Def Leppard
- Gutalax
- Hatebreed
- In Flames
- Judas Priest
- Lamb of God
- Municipal Waste
- Nevermore
- Paradise Lost
- Sabaton
- Savatage
- Saxon
- Sepultura
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