The Infield - our Holy Wacken Land
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.
Wacken Center
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.
Wackinger Village
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!
Bullhead City
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.
Camping Plaza
The Camping Plaza is accessible directly from the campsite from Monday and so it is the first event area you can come across.
Here you will find the wristband exchange, the Farmers Market, the Metal Market and many other attractions. From 2022, the Camping Plaza will not only host the Welcome To The Jungle Stage, but also the Wasteland.
The Wasteland Warriors rule this area and their crazy outfits, shows and actions are a highlight of the festival year after year. On the Wasteland Stage there's usually a lot of action - genres like Thrash and Industrial Metal are made for this location. Consequently, Wasted Wednesday also takes place here!
The camping area
The largest part of the Wacken Open Air area is occupied by the gigantic campground. You camp on agricultural areas, each with an own identification letter for better orientation. The ways on and between these camps have clear names.
The camping is included in the ticket price for W:O:A, this also applies to camping in mobile homes, caravans etc. If the ground conditions allow it, we park all vehicles so that you can camp right next to them.
The campsite is equipped with showers and toilets, which are also included in the ticket. There are therefore no additional fees! The site can only be accessed or visited by people who have a valid ticket.
Further infrastructure includes signposts, light poles, breakfast tents, small supermarket tents and a few stalls for food and drinks. On the camping sites there is no limit for your own food and drinks!
Special camping areas
There are some areas on the campsite that offer special amenities or are subject to slightly different rules.
- Wheels Of Steel-Area: This course is close to the stage area and is kept free for handicapped metalheads and their companions. There are also some special services, like employees who can repair broken wheelchairs.
- Camperpark Wacken: Parcels with electricity - organized by the Camperpark Wacken GbR. The area tends to be quieter and more family-friendly than others.
- Moshtel: Our container hotel, located close to the stage area. Since Wacken has no hotel, hostel or similar, we installed the the Moshtel to meet the desire of many fans for a solid accommodation directly in Wacken.
- Residenz Evil: Similar to the Moshtel, the Residenz Evil offers solid tents, container units and nice addons like exlusice toilets. You can also rent plots here, if you want to bring your own tent.
- Bauer Uwes Garten: You want to party together, but can't arrive together? Bauer Uwes Garten is your solution. And you can also rent mobile toilets here.
- Camping Only: Adjacent to the bus station lies the area, in which only may be camped without a vehicle. Without the vehicles, it is relatively quiet, the typical large music systems are barely found here.
- World Metal Camp: Together with our travel partners we are building a big camp for visitors who arrive without a vehicle. The focus is on the international exchange between visitors.
- Full Metal Army Camp: Each year, our fan club organizes a large shared camp with party tent, power outlets and many other amenities.
Wacken and surroundings
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.
