Waves Open-Air-Festival

Musically, the festival spans a wide range of genres, from trance to hard techno and Schranz. Performances will take place on a total of three festival stages, each of which is deliberately distinct from the others in both musical focus and visual design, yet they complement one another. The Waves Stage, as the central outdoor stage on the expansive outdoor pool grounds, forms the heart of the festival. Another major coup is the collaboration with “Unreal Germany,” one of Europe’s largest and most influential techno brands. “Unreal Germany will host the stage in the ice rink, bringing not only its signature aesthetic—known for elaborate productions—but also a top-tier DJ lineup with enormous international appeal,” explains Colin Bennett, one of the festival’s organizers. “This collaboration underscores the festival’s growing prominence and is considered a key factor in the success of this year’s edition,” Bennett continues.

At the same time, Waves Open Air continues to rely on proven partnerships: Following its successful appearance last year, BCCO, a renowned Berlin-based techno brand, is returning and will once again headline the smaller outdoor stage in 2026. Thanks to these collaborations and with each new edition, not only is the festival growing, but so are its technical standards. “What has been created here is a true labor of love for us,” says Tobias Eikemeier, technical director of Waves Open Air. “We’ve evolved from a small production by friends for friends into a festival to be taken seriously. Today, we can fully realize our potential both technically and creatively—every stage is reimagined from year to year. It’s incredibly fun to be part of this project,” continues Eikemeier, who hails from Wedemark and has been involved with the festival since its very first edition.

The festival location

Just like last year, the start of the festival season will be celebrated at the beautiful grounds of the Wedemark Water Park near Hannover. Here, you can experience a world of music and art. The outdoor pool, with sandy areas, surrounding small woods, and a large sunbathing lawn right next to three beautiful pools, is easily accessible from all over Germany via the adjacent S-Bahn line and the nearby highway on-ramps (A7 and A2).

Tickets

The limited-edition tickets are available on the organizer's website.