Wacken Mud Festival's grand finale is nearing
Wacken Open Air 2025: A Muddy, Memorable Festival Experience
The Wacken Open Air heavy metal festival, held in Schleswig-Holstein's Wacken, braved adverse weather conditions this summer, offering fans an unforgettable experience. Despite heavy rain that resulted in large parts of the festival area turning into mud and slush, the event was officially sold out with 85,000 fans.
The festival kicked off with a tribute to the late rock icon Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away on July 22 at the age of 76. A drone show paid homage to the British singer and reality TV star, accompanied by Osbourne's songs "Mama, I'm Coming Home" and "Paranoid," and parallel images of Osbourne were shown on large screens.
Guns N' Roses, the headliners for the 2025 edition, offered a three-hour concert on Thursday, marking the longest in the history of the festival. Their performance sparked different reactions, with organizer Holger Hühn expressing satisfaction and Jensen stating that it depends on the viewer's perspective.
Other bands that graced the stages included Papa Roach, Machine Head, Saltatio Mortis, Apocalyptica, BAP, and guitarist Michael Schenker. A special guest appearance was made by Metal Queen Doro Pesch with Dirkschneider.
For the departure of fans, 30 tractors were ready, but self-help efforts of fans were relied upon to minimize damage to the fields. The rescue service reported 10 to 15 percent fewer deployments than in 2024, with around 2,800 people cared for and 150 fans taken to a hospital.
The head of the Itzehoe police directorate, Frank Matthiesen, reported a decrease in recorded offenses from 86 in 2024 to 68 in the current festival. Organizers brought in 3,500 cubic meters of wood chips to stabilize the areas.
Looking ahead, the organizers will announce the lineup for the 2026 festival in the evening. When asked about Metallica, Jensen said, "we have time." They have also waited for other groups in the past.
For those interested in attending Wacken Open Air 2025, the all-inclusive pass for the three-day festival costs approximately €333, including camping from July 27 to August 3. This establishment of a baseline for pricing suggests that ticket prices will increase to €349 for the 2026 edition, as detailed more fully for the 2026 edition.
For a more immersive festival experience, festival packages are available that include the Wacken Open Air 2025 four-day festival ticket plus hotel accommodation and additional guided activities, costing about €698 per person (sharing a double room).
For the most accurate and updated performer lineup, checking the official Wacken Open Air website or official announcements would be advisable as the festival date approaches.
Fans seeking other forms of entertainment could consider exploring the various bands performing at future Wacken Open Air festivals, such as Papa Roach, Machine Head, Saltatio Mortis, Apocalyptica, BAP, and special guests like Metal Queen Doro Pesch and Michael Schenker. The festival also offers music enthusiasts a chance to see tribute shows, like the one dedicated to the late rock icon Ozzy Osbourne.
For sports fans who enjoy a bit of friendly competition during their festival experience, self-help efforts among the fans at the Wacken Open Air were utilized to minimize damage to the fields, demonstrating team spirit even in challenging conditions such as heavy mud and slush.
