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Wacken Open Air
Fun facts
Wacken Open Air once hosted a "Headbanging Guinness World Record" attempt with thousands of metalheads headbanging in unison. 🤘🎸
Attendence
85.000 annually

Wacken Open Air - The Most Important Metal Festival of Them All

W:O:A is the largest heavy metal festival in the world. It takes place each year in a small village called Wacken, in Germany. Since 1989, W:O:A has grown into a Mecca for all metalheads from every corner of the globe. This event is not only about music; it is a cultural phenomenon that unites fans of all ages and backgrounds into one huge family, which celebrates heavy metal.

WOA History

The idea of Wacken Open Air was born in 1989 by two friends from Wacken, Thomas Jensen and Holger Hübner. They wanted to organize an open-air concert in the gravel pit of their village because this spot happened to be a commonplace to assemble for the No Mercys biker club.

The first event was held in 1990 with only 800 visitors, but throughout the years, it developed very fast. Today W:O:A is attracting about 85,000 attendees from more than 80 countries of the world and became one of the largest heavy metal festivals in the world.

Wacken Open Air
WOA Festival

What People Usual Do at Wacken Open Air

W:O:A offers the metal enthusiast a special experience. The festival has an overall of several stages; a few of them are the main ones: Faster and Louder, where the headliners perform. From classic heavy metal to black metal-all possible sorts can be enjoyed by participants. Besides, there are a lot of different food and beverage stalls, a beer pipeline so nobody gets parched, and a vivid market area where one could buy merchandise and memorabilia.

A competition wherein unsigned bands from all over the world fight for their chance to stand on the main stage. On the grounds, a museum can be found dedicated to the history of W:O:A and its importance within the metal music scene. Interactive exhibitions have been prepared, together with numerous bits of memorabilia from previous years of the festival.

Traditional Customs and Interesting Facts

W:O:A has its very own customs and traditions, adding even more flair to this grand festival. Probably the most symbolic of all festival symbols is the burning skull, symbolizing the spirit of metal. There is also a place at the festival called Wackinger Village, medieval in theme, where people go to get a taste of the Middle Ages with medieval rock performances combined with mead and even jousting tournaments.

Other interesting facts about W:O:A include the "Metal Camp" - a special place to go out and camp with their tents, to then live in for the duration of the festival. Immediately, camaraderie and community are fostered among the people who attend, who then sometimes make lasting friendships with their fellow metalheads.

Metalhead Festival in Wacken
Festival in Wacken

Why Wacken Open Air is a Must-See Event

Wacken Open Air is a concert, but it is one big celebration of all things metal and an opportunity for fans to get together and express their love of heavy metal. The festival is a mixture of music, history, and tradition that makes W:O:A one of those events that will always be remembered. Whether you are a die-hard metalhead or just inquisitive about the genre, W:O:A has got something for everyone.

So, if going to Europe is already in your schedule and you want to see the real metal festival, then you have to attend Wacken Open Air because it is a show that will remain in your brain for a lifetime.