IronFest Open Air
Three days of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal at the Ohmbachsee in Westpfalz
About IronFest Open Air
Heavy Metal at the Ohmbachsee
When the first riffs roll across the surface of the Ohmbachsee on the last weekend of May, the Westpfalz metal scene knows that the most important time of the year has begun. IronFest Open Air has been held since 2017 and has evolved from a regional insider tip for headbangers to a firmly established must-attend event in the German underground metal calendar. The venue, a festival meadow directly on the reservoir in the Gries district of Schönenberg-Kübelberg municipality, is one of Rhineland-Palatinate's most charming festival sites with its combination of natural scenery and manageable size.
One Stage, Three Days, Lots of Tradition
IronFest deliberately focuses on a single stage, but with a professional sound system and well-thought-out scheduling. Between six and eight bands perform per day, ensuring no overlaps and allowing every act to be experienced in full. Stylistically, the festival covers a broad spectrum from classic Heavy Metal, NWOBHM heritage, Thrash, Doom, and epic Power Metal. The program managers maintain long-standing contacts in the international scene and regularly bring bands from Scandinavia, Great Britain, and the USA to the Pfalz region, complemented by top-class German acts and selected newcomers.
Camping, Catering, and Community
The natural campsite opens on Thursday morning and is within walking distance of the festival grounds. Sanitary facilities, drinking water, waste management, and a small festival market with merchandise, local beer, and hot food are part of the standard offerings. A characteristic feature of IronFest is its close connection to the region: the caterers come from the surrounding villages, the beer is from a Palatinate brewery, and many helpers are volunteers from the organizing association. It is precisely this down-to-earth character that makes the festival a gathering of friends, where people swim by the lake between concerts, discuss by the campfires, and make new acquaintances.
Significance for Westpfalz
With IronFest, the Kusel region has a cultural offering that extends far beyond its borders. Visitors travel from Saarland, Hesse, neighboring France, and increasingly from Belgium and the Netherlands. For the municipality of Schönenberg-Kübelberg and the local gastronomy, the festival is a tourist highlight and proof that ambitious music events are also possible in rural areas. The volunteer-run structure keeps ticket prices significantly lower compared to large festivals.
IronFest Open Air — edition 2026
The 2026 edition marks the sixth IronFest and focuses on a deliberately classic lineup. With bands like Angel Witch, Atlantean Kodex, Benediction, Flotsam & Jetsam, and Tankard, the poster features names that have shaped the genre over the past four decades. The program is complemented by younger bands much discussed in the scene, such as Megaton Sword, Angel Sword, The Gems, and The Devil Wears Nada. The regional underground is also represented with acts like Steelpreacher, Sacrosanct, Blizzen, Cyclone, Vengeance, Trance, and Warrant.
The campsite opening on Thursday morning allows for a relaxed arrival, and the central location of the Ohmbachsee between Saarbrücken, Kaiserslautern, and Pirmasens makes the festival easily accessible for attendees from Saarland as well as from the Vorderpfalz.
Programme IronFest Open Air 2026
Thursday, May 28th, 2026
Campsite opens from 9:00 AM. Concert evening with the festival's opening and the first bands of the edition. Festival tent and food truck area open late into the night.
Friday, May 29th, 2026
First full festival day with the main part of the lineup. Performances include Angel Witch (UK), Benediction (UK), Flotsam & Jetsam (US), and Atlantean Kodex (Bavaria). Headliner slot late in the evening.
Saturday, May 30th, 2026
Closing day with Tankard (Frankfurt) and other headliners. The program also includes performances by Sacrosanct, Steelpreacher, Megaton Sword, The Gems, and Angel Sword. Festival ends in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Note on the Program
Final stage times and any program changes will be published by the organizer in spring 2026 on ironfest.de. Confirmed bands: Angel Sword, Angel Witch, Atlantean Kodex, Benediction, Blizzen, Cyclone, Endtime Prophets, Flotsam & Jetsam, Megaton Sword, Sacrosanct, Steelpreacher, Tankard, The Devil Wears Nada, The Gems, Trance, Vengeance, Warrant.
Highlights IronFest Open Air 2026
Prices IronFest Open Air 2026
Practical information — IronFest Open Air
Venue
Festival grounds at Ohmbachsee, Gries district, 66903 Schönenberg-Kübelberg. Access via B423, follow signs from the town entrance. Parking available in the immediate vicinity.
Dates 2026
Thursday, May 28th to Saturday, May 30th, 2026. Admission and campsite open Thursday from 9:00 AM. Concerts start in the afternoon; exact stage times on ironfest.de.
Tickets
Advance sale via ironfest.de and Eventim Light. Festival ticket includes camping. Day tickets subject to availability.
Camping
Natural campsite directly at the festival grounds, opens Thursday from 9:00 AM. Motorhomes and caravans are welcome, with separate parking areas.
Getting There
Nearest train station: Glan-Münchweiler (Saarbrücken–Kusel line), then bus or taxi. By car via the A62 (Glan-Münchweiler exit) or the B423.
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