- All the important facts about the festival
From July 31st to August 3rd, the Wacken Open Air (W:O:A) festival will take place. For the 33rd time, one of the world's largest heavy metal festivals will grace the stage in the municipality of Wacken, in the district of Steinburg, Schleswig-Holstein. The festival near Itzehoe has a loyal following that wasn't deterred by last year's mud chaos, and they've set a record by selling out 85,000 tickets in just 4.5 hours for 2024. Are there still chances to get tickets, and which acts are announced? Here are all the important details about this metal spectacle:
Acts and Travel
Last year's festival was themed "Viking Culture", this year it will be "Witches & Warlocks". Visitors can look forward to decorations and artistic performances based on this theme.
According to the organizers, the W:O:A covers over 240 hectares, including not only Wacken but also surrounding areas like Gribbohm, Bokelrehm, and Holstenniendorf. There are nine stages, with the Holy Land, featuring the festival's largest stages, including the Faster & Harder twin stage, being the main attraction. On July 31st, the Faster stage will kick off with Bulent Ceylan, The Darkness, Flogging Molly, or In Extremo. On August 1st, Skyline or Accept will perform there, while Rage, KK's Priest, and Scorpions will take the Harder stage. Other stages will feature Alligatoah, Messiah, and Jungle Rot.
On August 2nd, the Faster stage will host Feuerschwanz, Blind Guardian, or Avantasia. The Harder stage will be graced by Gene Simmons and Korn. Other stages will feature Whitechapel, Watain, and Primal Fear. On August 3rd, Oomph! or Architects will perform on the Faster stage, while Raven, Testament, or Amon Amarth will take the Harder stage. Other stages will feature Mayhem, Brutus, and Tragedy.
By car, visitors can reach the festival via highways A7 and A23, following signs to the festival. Campers with a booked access pass and designated route can reach the campground or special camping area. Routes, marked with different symbol signs, were announced just before the start of the journey. No access pass is needed for the signposted day parking lots. A shuttle bus between Wacken and Itzehoe is also available for those arriving by public transport.
The police directorate of Itzehoe reported that the arrival to the 33rd Wacken Open Air was "significantly less stressful than last year", thanks to a new traffic concept and Sunday being added as an additional arrival day. Despite today and tomorrow being the main arrival days, traffic chaos is not expected.
Tickets and Livestream
The Wacken Open Air is sold out. This positive news was announced on the day of the presale start on August 7, 2023, as tickets sold out in a record time of 4.5 hours. "Especially after the difficult start of the festival this summer, where a part of our metal family couldn't join the fun, we appreciate it more than ever that the community stands with us and sticks together," the organizers stated.
Interested parties can still purchase tickets through the official ticket center of the festival, where tickets can be resold at the original price. However, a fee of 25 Euro for repersonalization will be added to the buyers (regular four-day ticket is 333 Euro).
For those who didn't purchase a ticket or aren't up for the journey to Wacken, you can enjoy the metal sounds from the comfort of your own couch. MagentaTV and MagentaMusik will be broadcasting the festival, with individual performances also available on their social media channels. MagentaTV quotes Scorpions' lead guitarist and founding member Rudolf Schenker (75): "I'm particularly thrilled that via livestream, not only the 85,000 on the Holy Ground can join in, but also millions of people worldwide."
A Look Back
The WOA website assures that "extensive construction measures have made the area fit for the future in recent years. A new drainage system was installed, vulnerable spots were secured with gravel, and the entire area was shaped with heavy machinery." However, in 2023, the organizers had to succumb to the persistent rain. The metal event, which took place last year from August 2 to 5, was even in danger of being canceled at one point. Just before the start, a complete entry ban had to be imposed. For the first time in the history of the cult festival, this decision had to be made. Instead of the 85,000 people announced in advance, it is estimated that only around 50,000 made it onto the site.
In an extensive statement on the official Instagram page, co-founder Thomas Jensen said that he didn't know what was harder, the two cancellations due to COVID in 2019 and 2020, or having to tell people who were already on their way that they couldn't come. Shortly after, frustrated metalheads who were affected by this were at least informed: "All ticket holders who cannot attend the festival due to this will receive a refund of the ticket price."
The following statement was made by the organizers regarding ticket sales for the Wacken Open Air: "We appreciate it more than ever that the community stands with us and sticks together, as the Wacken Open Air is sold out, with tickets selling out in a record time of 4.5 hours on the day of the presale start."
To cater to those who didn't purchase a ticket or aren't able to attend, the official ticket center of the festival allows for ticket resale at the original price, although a fee of 25 Euro for repersonalization is added to the buyers.
