Festival ground at Wacken evacuated due to heavy storm - Festival site at Wacken momentarily evacuated due to onset of thunderstorms
News Article: Wacken Open Air 2025 Faces Temporary Evacuation Due to Thunderstorm
The much-anticipated Wacken Open Air festival, one of the largest heavy metal festivals in the world, kicked off on a damp and stormy Wednesday. The festival grounds, located in the Kreis Steinburg area of Germany, were temporarily evacuated around midnight due to a severe thunderstorm warning.
Attendees were asked to seek shelter in their vehicles as a precautionary measure. The evacuation announcement was made over loudspeakers on the festival grounds. Despite the unsettling event, the threat cleared by early morning, allowing the festival to continue.
The festival's kick-off was marked by the performance of Saltatio Mortis in the evening, with the Holy Ground being opened in the afternoon. Other expected acts at the Wacken Open Air include Gojira, Papa Roach, Machine Head, Apocalyptica, and Michael Schenker. Performances on Wednesday also included the Wacken Firefighters.
Vehicle evacuations due to thunderstorms at the Wacken Open Air are rare but do occur as a precaution during severe weather events. This is not the first time such an incident has happened, as evidenced by the 2025 event. However, it's important to note that these evacuations are not a regular occurrence, but rather implemented selectively based on weather severity.
In a significant turn of events, Guns N' Roses are the headliners for this year's Wacken Open Air, marking the end of their Europe and Middle East tour. Despite the weather-related incident, no further weather-related incidents were reported in the Kreis Steinburg area.
The Wacken Open Air festival is known for its wet and muddy conditions and the potential for sudden storms. However, the festival grounds were spared from potential storm damage during the evacuation. The festival is set to continue, promising an unforgettable heavy metal experience for its attendees.
The following shall be added to the list of products offered at the Wacken Open Air: weather updates and sports equipment for emergency situations such as thunderstorms. Attendees, who were asked to seek shelter in their vehicles during the evacuation, might find it useful to have raincoats, ponchos, and waterproof backpacks on hand given the festival's known wet and muddy conditions.
