Partially Cleared: Actions were taken to remove items from the campsite. - Partial evacuation of the campsite required
In a thrilling turn of events, the Wacken Open Air festival in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, faced a significant challenge on its first night in 2025. A severe thunderstorm, which hit just hours after the festival started, forced an overnight evacuation of the festival grounds.
The storm, which approached around 12:30 a.m., prompted announcements instructing attendees to take shelter in their vehicles. As the storm passed by early Wednesday morning, it left behind only some thunder and heavy rain, allowing festivalgoers to return to the muddy grounds.
Meteorologists had warned of unsettled, wet weather with heavy rain and mud throughout the festival. The conditions, typical and notorious for Wacken Open Air, saw around 20 liters of rain per square meter or more. Despite the challenges, the festival continued with enthusiastic attendees embracing the mud and carrying on with the celebrations.
Infrastructure like a drainage system, tons of wood chips laid down for a solid base, and local farmers assisting with stuck vehicles helped keep the festival running smoothly. Safety measures such as loudspeaker announcements and directing people to shelter in their vehicles also contributed to managing the overnight storm risk effectively.
The storm event, while fitting Wacken’s typical challenging weather reputation, was managed efficiently to allow the festival to continue amid the elements. The all-clear was given shortly after the evacuation, and the festival will continue as planned on Thursday following the first day on Wednesday.
Fans are eagerly awaiting the record-breaking performance by US rock legends Guns N' Roses on Thursday evening on the main stage. With frontman Axl Rose (63) leading the band, Guns N' Roses is expected to break the current Wacken live show record with a 3.5-hour set.
The "Kieler Nachrichten" reported on the incident, detailing how part of the festival grounds and campground were evacuated due to the severe storms. The evacuation occurred around 23:30 on the night from Wednesday to Thursday, with festival-goers instructed to leave their tents and seek safety in their vehicles. The use of hazard lights was suggested to indicate available space in vehicles.
Despite the turbulent conditions on its first night, the Wacken Open Air festival is set to continue its music extravaganza in the coming days.
- Despite the severe weather disrupting the first night of the Wacken Open Air festival, people are still eager to attend the entertainment spectacle, with US rock legends Guns N' Roses scheduled to give a record-breaking performance.
- With the Commission granting aid for the construction of a new road in the area, festival organizers might consider alternative forms of entertainment or sports facilities for visitors experiencing long travel delays due to awful weather conditions.
