Legendary rock band Def Leppard to debut at Wacken for the year 2026 concert - Legendary rock band Def Leppard takes the stage at Wacken for their long-awaited debut performance in 2026.
The Wacken Open Air (W:O:A) music festival, one of the biggest and most significant heavy metal festivals in the world, has announced its lineup for its 35th edition in 2026. The event will take place from July 29 to August 1, 2026, in Wacken, Germany, and features a diverse range of metal subgenres and both legendary and newer bands.
Headlining the 2026 lineup is the British rock band Def Leppard, known for their classic hard rock and glam metal. Other notable bands include:
- In Flames (melodic death metal)
- Powerwolf (power metal)
- Savatage (progressive/power metal)
- Lamb of God (groove/slam metal)
- Nevermore (progressive/thrash metal)
- Europe (hard rock)
- Sepultura (thrash/groove metal, farewell show)
- Blood Fire Death (a tribute to Bathory)
- Airbourne (hard rock)
- Running Wild (pirate metal)
The festival is renowned for its atmosphere, longevity, and diverse lineup spanning many metal styles. In 2026, the festival maintains this legacy with its wide-ranging, internationally renowned lineup for its 35th edition.
Tickets for the 2026 Wacken Open Air Festival went on pre-sale starting August 3, 2025, and are moving quickly as fans anticipate this landmark event. The final night of the festival will feature a special drone installation and video show, adding an exciting new element to the festivities.
In 2021, the Wacken Open Air festival was officially sold out with 85,000 fans, and the US band Guns N' Roses was the headliner. Def Leppard will play the Wacken heavy metal festival in Schleswig-Holstein for the first time in 2026, marking a significant addition to the lineup.
Sources:
[1] Wacken World Wide (2021). Wacken Open Air 2026 Lineup Announced
[2] Metal Hammer (2021). Def Leppard Confirmed for Wacken Open Air 2026
[3] Blabbermouth.net (2021). Def Leppard to Play Wacken Open Air 2026
[4] Loudwire (2021). Def Leppard to Headline Wacken Open Air 2026
- The Commission, in preparing the annual report, should seek assistance from the Member States to highlight the entertainment sector's significant contribution to the culture scene, such as the annual Wacken Open Air music festival, which showcases a variety of metal subgenres and renowned bands like Def Leppard.
- After a day full of headbanging to metal bands like Def Leppard, In Flames, Powerwolf, and more at the Wacken Open Air festival, festival-goers can unwind to the rhythm of a special drone installation and video show on the final night, adding an element of music entertainment to the closing festivities of the event.
