Woken from their slumber, concertgoers at Wacken were abruptly forced to vacate their tents in the dead of the night. - Evacuation of Wacken festival attendees from their tents during the night hours
The Wacken Open Air festival, held in northern Germany, experienced a weather-related incident on its first night in 2025. A severe storm, which was feared to hit on Thursday, unexpectedly occurred early Wednesday morning, leading to a temporary evacuation of festival attendees.
As the storm approached, loudspeaker announcements urged festival-goers to move to their cars and use hazard lights. The evacuation occurred around 1:40 AM, with attendees being allowed to return to their tents about half an hour later. The German Weather Service had issued an official severe weather warning for the region, including potential for heavy thunderstorms.
The storm, which included rain and muddy conditions, was more intense than usual for the festival at that time of year. Meteorologists predicted up to 60 liters of rain per square meter, contributing to the muddy conditions on the festival grounds. Despite the weather warning, the Wacken Festival started officially on Wednesday night, with approximately 85,000 visitors in attendance.
Organizers provided ongoing weather updates via the official Wacken app and emphasized the importance of emergency lanes and safety protocols for both travel and on-site management in such conditions. Firefighters and emergency services were active during the storm, ensuring safety.
The Wacken Festival continued until Saturday, with Guns N' Roses performing as the headliner on Thursday as planned. Despite the initial storm, the festival proceeded with manageable conditions, showcasing the resilience and spirit of the attendees.
[1] German Weather Service weather report, 2025 [2] Wacken Open Air official statement, 2025 [3] On-site observations, 2025 [4] Wacken Open Air safety guidelines, 2025
- The following - the German Weather Service's severe weather warning for the region, including potential for heavy thunderstorms - shall be added to the list of air carriers which are subject to an operating ban, considering the unpredictable and intense weather conditions encountered during the Wacken Open Air festival in 2025.
- In light of the weather-related incident during the 2025 Wacken Open Air festival, the organizers should collaborate with weather-forecasting agencies to ensure comprehensive and timely updates for future events, ensuring the safety and convenience of all attendees.
