Leipzig, Germany22nd to 25th May 2026
33rd Wave-Gotik-Treffen with Aesthetic Perfection, Anja Huwe / XMal Deutschland, Cat Rapes Dog, Clan Of Xymox, Covenant, Diorama, Einstürzende Neubauten, Frontline Assembly, Kim Wilde, London After Midnight, Moonspell, Pink Turns Blue, She Past Away, Suicide Commando, Zanias and many more
Welcome to the 33rd edition of the Wave-Gotik-Treffen in May 2026 when Leipzig welcomes the world of dark culture once again.
From 22 to 25 May 2026, Leipzig will once more transform into the beating heart of the global Gothic scene as it hosts the 33rd Wave-Gotik-Treffen. For four days over the Pentecost weekend, tens of thousands of visitors from around the world will gather in the city to celebrate dark music, art, fashion and culture in all its many forms.
What began back in 1992 as a meeting of around 2,000 like-minded people has grown into one of the most important and distinctive gatherings of alternative culture worldwide. Now well into its fourth decade, Wave-Gotik-Treffen remains unique: it is not just a festival, but a city-wide experience that fully immerses Leipzig in the spirit of the scene.
Unlike conventional festivals confined to a single site, Wave-Gotik-Treffen unfolds across nearly 50 venues throughout Leipzig. Concerts take place in clubs, theatres, churches, historic halls and open-air locations, while the city’s streets, parks and cafés become part of the spectacle. With no single “main stage”, visitors create their own personal journey through parallel events, rituals and discoveries.
Music remains at the core, and the 2026 edition already promises exceptional depth and diversity. The programme spans Gothic Rock, Post-Punk, Darkwave, EBM, Industrial, Neofolk, Synthpop and beyond. Highlights from the current line-up include scene-defining names such as EINSTÜRZENDE NEUBAUTEN, DAF, CLAN OF XYMOX, COVENANT, FRONTLINE ASSEMBLY, MOONSPELL, SUICIDE COMMANDO (celebrating a 40th anniversary show), KIM WILDE, LACRIMOSA, THE UNDERGROUND YOUTH, PINK TURNS BLUE, SKELETAL FAMILY and PORTION CONTROL. Alongside these established icons, Wave-Gotik-Treffen continues its tradition of championing new, rare and exclusive performances, including live premieres and special reunion shows.
Yet WGT has always been about far more than concerts alone. One of the most iconic moments of the weekend is the Victorian Picnic in Clara-Zetkin-Park, where thousands gather in elaborate historical, fantasy and avant-garde attire, creating a surreal and unforgettable tableau. Medieval markets, the Pagan Village, classical and chamber concerts, theatre and opera performances, art exhibitions, film screenings, literary readings, wine tastings and creative workshops all form part of the programme, blurring the boundaries between subculture and high art.
Leipzig itself plays a central role in the experience. From the monumental Südfriedhof cemetery and the Moritzbastei to the AGRA exhibition grounds, the city’s architecture and history provide a fittingly atmospheric backdrop. For many visitors, simply walking through the city during WGT feels like stepping into another world - a place where individuality, creativity and dark romanticism are not just accepted, but celebrated.
Inclusivity and community remain at the heart of Wave-Gotik-Treffen. People of all ages, identities and backgrounds come together to share music, ideas and experiences. Families are welcome too, with a dedicated childcare programme allowing parents to enjoy the festival while younger attendees are looked after in a safe and creative environment. Whether staying in hotels across the city or at the campsite near the AGRA grounds - which offers immediate access to key venues, the party halls and the Pagan Village - visitors quickly become part of a temporary parallel universe that exists only once a year.
Wave-Gotik-Treffen is not simply attended; it is lived. With its unmatched blend of music, culture, fashion and community, the 33rd Wave-Gotik-Treffen from 22 to 25 May 2026 promises once again to be an unforgettable journey into the many shades of dark culture - and a reminder of why Leipzig remains its spiritual home.
Bands
Currently there are 138 artists confirmed (per 19th February 2026):
45 Grave (US) - A Black Rainbow (D) - Adam Usi (D) - Aesthetic Perfection (US) - Ah Cama-Sotz (B) - Alles Schwarz feat. Oswald Henke (D) Livepremiere - Altar De Fey (US) - Ambassador21 (BY) - André Alabaster & The Curved Beaks (D) - Anja Huwe / XMal Deutschland (D) - Armageddon Dildos (D) - Ash Code (I) - Astari Nite (USA) - Auger (UK) - Autodafeh (S) - Bashful Billy (USA) Livepremiere - Batmobile (NL) - Bestial Mouths (US) - Bianca Stücker & Bruxas Solis (D) - Biomekkanik (S) - Black Dahlia (AUS) - Blaklight (USA) - C-Lekktor (MEX) - Casket Cassette (USA) - Cat Rapes Dog (S) 40th Anniversary Show - Clan Of Xymox (NL) - Code 64 (S) - Corpus Delicti (F) - Covenant (S) - Creux Lies (US) - DAF (D) - Das Ich (D) - Demented Are Go (UK) - Den Der Hale (S) - Destroy Me Again (D) - Dews Pegahorn (D) - Die Streuner (D) - Digital Drvgs (USA) - Diorama (D) - Dlina Volny (BY) - Ductape (TR) - Eddie Dark (GR) - Einstürzende Neubauten (D) - Eisfabrik (D) - Electric Litany (UK) - Empathy Test (UK) - Erdling (D) - Euroshima (RA) - Evi Vine (UK) - Fliehende Stürme (D) - Freakangel (EST) - Frontline Assembly (CDN) - Frustration (F) - Gae Bolg And The Church of Fand (F) - Grausame Töchter (D) - Gulvøss (D) - Hackedepicciotto (D) - Hateful Chains (FIN) - Heidevolk (NL) - Heimataerde (D) - Hinfort (D) - HRAFNGRIMR (F) - Ist Ist (UK) - JG And The Robots (USA) - Karl Kave (CH) - Kiew (D) - Kim Wilde (UK) - Kommunity FK (USA) - Kompromat (F) - La Bande Son Imaginaire (MEX) - Lacrimosa (CH) - Leaether Strip (DK) - London After Midnight (US) - Lux Interna (USA) - Male Tears (USA) - Mica (USA) - Minuit Machine (F) - Moonspell (P) - MS Gentur + Sven Phalanx (D) - My Manifesto (USA) - Myrna Loy (D) exclusive Reunionshow - Nachtmahr (A) - Necro (P) - NordarR (D) - Noromakina (CO) European premiere - Nox Novacula (USA) - Nuovo Testamento (USA) - Octavian Winters (US) - Oh Hiroshima (S) - Oliver Decrow (D) - Pahl! (D) - Pankow (I) - Panzer AG (N) - Patenbrigade:Wolff (D) - Phosgore (D) - Pink Turns Blue (D) - Pol (NL) - Portion Control (UK) - Qual (UK) - Rein (S) - Rome (LUX) - Rosa Crux (F) - Rosegarden Funeral Party (USA) - Rotersand (D) - Sagenbringer (D) - Schöngeist (D) - Scratch Massive (F) - She Past Away (TR) - Skeletal Family (UK) - Soft Vein (US) - SOKO+++Friedhof (D) - Solar Fake (D) - Solitary Experiments (D) - Soman (D) - Spit Mask (US/D) - Ssleeping Desiress (USA) - Suicide Commando (B) 40th Anniversary-Show - Sven Friedrich & Dirk Riegner (D) "Piano Sessions" - Tabernis (D) - The Beauty Of Gemina Trio+ (CH) Acoustic-Concert - The Crimson Ghosts (D) - The Devil & The Universe (A) - The Other Feat. Grand Horror (D/USA) Livepremiere - The Palace Of Tears (USA) - The Revolutionary Army Of The Infant Jesus (UK) - The SPKtR/SPK (AUS/NZ) - The Underground Youth (UK) - Trans – X (CDN) - Triarii (D) - Tyske Ludder (D) - Unterschicht (D) - Vaughn George (UK) interpretations Depeche Mode - Vermilia (FIN) - Voyna (D) Livepremiere - Vrimuot (D) - Waldkauz (D) - Wiegand (D) - Zanias (AUS/D)
Tickets
Event Ticket
4-days tickets for all events during the 33rd Wave-Gotik-Treffen 2026 are available for 190 EUR in pre-sale (incl. pre-sale charges, plus shipping cost).
Parking Vignette
In order to use the parking places on the Treffen Area, a parking vignette for 20 EUR (incl. pre-sale charges) for the whole time of the festival is necessary. Important! Without a vignette you’re not allowed to park at the area.
Camping
Possible with “Obsorge Ticket”, limited up to 9,999 tickets for 50 EUR (includes advance sale charges). The ticket contains camping at the Treffen-Campground (agra-fairground). Important! Without an Obsorge Ticket, the entering and the use of the camping grounds is not possible. The Obsorge ticket is only valid in combination with an event ticket and must be bought for each person separately.
Caravan
You will need extra caravan tickets for the Treffen-Campground. There are tickets with electricity connection available for 150 EUR and without electricity connection for 50 EUR.
You can order your tickets here
http://www.wave-gotik-treffen.de/karten.php (Germany)
http://www.wave-gotik-treffen.de/english/karten.php (foreign countries)
Official WGT program book “Pfingstbote”
The book will be available for a price of t.b.a. EUR both at the box offices and the central WGT merchandise stall at the Agra market hall.
Additional festival information
Further information are available at https://www.wave-gotik-treffen.de/info/info.php
WGT on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaveGotikTreffen
Event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1012060387806247
Location
Leipzig, eastern Germany (at about 50 venues, spread all over the city); camping site and main venue at the edge of town at the “Agra-Messepark” Markkleeberg; for information on the city you may check http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leipzig or the official city website http://www.leipzig.de/int/en; overview of where events will take place: http://www.wave-gotik-treffen.de/english/info/orte.php.
Music styles
All kinds of dark music: Gothic; EBM; Industrial; Ambient; Neofolk; Synth-pop, Goth-Metal etc.
Expected number of visitors
About 20,000
Info line
0049-341-2120862 / Email:
WGT-app
The useful and free (unofficial) app WGT-Guide can be downloaded in the app stores of Google Play, iTunes or Amazon.
“Low emission zone” in Leipzig
Since March 2011 about 60 percent of the urban area of Leipzig has been declared a “low emission zone” to protect the environment from air pollution. Therefore, within this zone only vehicles which have an official green sticker placed on the front windscreen are allowed. To obtain such a sticker, the vehicle must meet certain standards (i.e. age, type of fuel, diesel particulate filter etc.). This regulation is also valid for foreigners who travel to Leipzig by car. If you cannot show a valid sticker during a traffic check, you will have to pay a fine of 80 euros. The stickers are available for about 5 euros at most car repair shops in Germany or via internet, e.g. the website of TÜV-Nord (6 euros): https://www.tuev-nord.de/en/private/traffic/car-motorcycle-caravan/emissions-sticker/order/.
ATTENTION: The agra-area with parking lot and camping site can be reached via A38 / B2 without having to enter the "low emission zone"! That means it is possible for visitors to park their vehicle at the agra-parking lot (you will need a WGT parking ticket in this case, which can also be obtained on location) and reach all other locations by public transport. Please use the following links to find more information: https://www.tuev-nord.de/de/privatkunden/verkehr/auto-motorrad-caravan/umweltplakette / http://www.leipzig.de/umwelt-und-verkehr/luft-und-laerm/umweltzone / www.lowemissionzones.eu
