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“They draw a crowd size which would have once been reserved for Iron Maiden or Metallica.” Burning keyboardists, flying tanks and free suncream – inside Wacken Open Air 2026
Wacken Open Air 2026 delivered a spectacular 35th-anniversary edition of Germany's flagship metal festival, with headline sets from Judas Priest, Sabaton and Powerwolf underscoring how far the once-small local gig has grown. Powerwolf's stake-burning, corpse-painted spectacle drew a crowd of around 70,000 fans, a scale once reserved for acts like Iron Maiden or Metallica, highlighting the band's rise as one of Europe's biggest metal success stories.
The weekend combined elaborate stage theatrics, such as Sabaton's flying tank props, with community touches including free suncream for attendees. Alongside the headline performances, the review captures the festival's atmosphere of intense fan devotion, from crowdsurfing and circle pits to fans moved to tears, reflecting Wacken's evolution over three and a half decades into one of the world's premier metal events.
In short
- Wacken Open Air 2026 featured Judas Priest, Sabaton and Powerwolf as headliners
- Powerwolf's theatrical set drew roughly 70,000-strong crowds, rivalling Iron Maiden-scale gigs
- Festival marked 35 years, with flying tanks, free suncream and fan-favourite stage antics
Explained simply
Wacken Open Air is an annual heavy metal festival held in the village of Wacken in northern Germany. It began in 1990 as a small local event and has grown into a major gathering for metal fans from Germany and abroad.
The festival brings together established bands and large crowds, with performances often featuring elaborate stage effects. Its 35-year history reflects the wider growth of heavy metal festivals, while practical touches such as providing free suncream are part of the event’s on-site experience.