Sometimes it can be hard to find your way around at Wacken Open Air - the festival spreads over more than 360 hectares! Our overview explains the most important areas, points of interest and of course the stages at W:O:A.

Faster - Harder: The infield, which fans also like to refer to as Holy Land, hosts the biggest stages of the festival. The massive double stage Faster & Harder dominates the terrain. Our two main main stages are the venues for the the biggest and most elaborate concerts of the festival and these shows are setting new standards internationally!

"This doesn't work" does not exist in the infield. Together with the bands we make everything possible, including the wildest dreams of the artists. Be it massive stage setups, complete symphony orchestras or even a concert that takes place on both Faster and Harder at the same time - there are no limits! In normal mode Faster and Louder play at the same time, while we do the changeover on the Harder. Afterwards, the Harder plays, while the other stages have their changeover. Thanks to this system, there are usually just little breaks between two shows.

The infield provides enough space for all participants of Wacken Open Air and thanks to our world-famous beer pipeline nobody gets thirsty. Extensive construction measures have made the area fit for the future in recent years: A new drainage has been laid, vulnerable sites have been secured with crushed stone and the entire area has been shaped with heavy equipment.

There are also stands of sponsors, a beer garden, food and beverage stands and much more.

If you want to get into the infield you walk through Wacken Center - and this area is filled with attractions itself!

The Rainbow Bar, our homage to Lemmy Kilmister's favourite place, various food stalls, and sanitary facilities are located at Wacken Center.

It is also the location of our third main stage: The Louder Stage.

The Wackinger Village ia walk on the paths of the Middle Ages - on the Wackinger Stage, artists from genres such as medieval rock, pagan metal or folk are paying homage while great mead is being served at the bars and knights are going to battle in full armor. With the Wackinger Village, the Wacken Open Air has its own medieval event inside the festival!

For many visitors to Wacken Open Air, the Bullhead City is the gateway to the festival, here is the one of the two large entrances that connects the campsite and stage area.

The Bullhead City is dominated by the open air double stage W.E.T. Stage and Headbangers Stage.

Many concerts take place here, including the legendary Metal Battle. In addition, there is quite a bit of infrastructure, booths and hands-on activities.

Wacken Open Air is not only connected to the eponymous village Wacken - the festival takes place on the areas between the communities Wacken, Gribbohm, Bokelrehm and Holstenniendorf, all of which contribute to the success of the festival. Other towns, such as Besdorf and Vaale, are also contributing positively to the festival year after year.

We ask all visitors to treat the inhabitants of the entire region with the utmost respect.

Visitors can have a great time in each of the villages, but by far the most interesting things are located in Wacken. In addition to beer and bratwurst, there are also supermarkets, ATMs, a pharmacy, dentists, our outdoor pool, the legendary Landgasthof zur Post (the initial idea for the Wacken Open Air was born here) and much more.

Our guide for the village of Wacken is recommended to anyone who has spent little or no time here so far.

Metal Church

In the center of Wacken is our most unusual concert location. The church of Wacken is integrated into the program of the festival for a few occasions every year. The special acoustics and atmosphere of the church, as well as the intimate setting and the selection of musicians, make for unforgettable events.

Of course, like all others, these performances are included in the ticket price, but due to the capacity of the church, the entrance is restricted.