Damned Days Open Air

A Festival Without an Entry Fee

The Damned Days Open Air has become a festival rarity in times when tickets climb into the triple digits: It is completely free. Free entry, free camping. This is made possible by the Damned Souls Heavy Metal Club e.V. from Magdeburg, which has organized the festival at the Motorranch Barleben (just north of Magdeburg) every summer since 2010. 2026 marks the 15th edition.

In the state of Saxony-Anhalt, in the Börde district, a weekend is held that is more of an underground gathering than a mass event. Without sponsorship madness, without headliners from the charts, but with handmade Metal atmosphere: campfires, brotherhood, long setlists from bands that are not easily seen elsewhere.

Heavy Metal as Self-Organization

What makes Damned Days special is its honest DIY mentality. Bands are paid by the club, not refinanced by tickets. Sponsors are regional. The crew consists of club members and volunteers. Catering is affordable, and so is the beer. This is exactly what makes the festival attractive to veterans and newcomers alike.

The lineup for 2026 includes Blutgott, Deliver The Galaxy, Epidemic Scorn, Grand Devourer, IADUL, Ignition, Intergalactic Messenger, Maerer, Nospheratu, Silence To The Fallen, and Till Burgwächter. Variety from Power Metal to Death and Black Metal to Hardcore and Punk — a cross-section of the German underground scene.

The Motorranch — A Stage with a Life of Its Own

The Motorranch in Barleben is an event space that primarily hosts motorsport and music events. Its location on the outskirts of Barleben, with meadows, trees, and enough space for the stage, backstage, and camping, is perfect for a small, intimate festival. Barleben train station is a 15-minute walk away, and Magdeburg is 10 km to the south.

A Tradition with Ambition

15 years of Damned Days is an amazing constant. In a festival landscape where large events grow and small festivals often fail, Damned Days holds its niche — and shows that festivals can be about community, not just a consumer product. Anyone who loves Metal and fancies a relaxed weekend on the outskirts of Magdeburg will feel right at home here.