Osterhansi Part 1
Area 53 Hannes, aka Osterha(n)si, has come up with something truly special for Easter this year: a mega gift you definitely don’t want to miss. What exactly is behind it? For now, that remains top secret. Alright, we can reveal this much: Anyone who already has an Area 53 ticket or secures one by Easter is automatically qualified for the “Osterhansi” giveaway - no matter whether the ticket was purchased through the Area 53 website, the bringticket shop, or the Napalm Records shop. What you can win will be revealed in the video Osterhansi releases at Easter. So stay tuned, it will definitely be worth it!
Osterhansi Part 2
Did I just hear “Osterhansi" (Easter Bunny)? 🐰
Yes, that’s right, big Easter special at the Area 53 grounds, and all ticket holders are automatically entered into the giveaway!
🍺 What giveaway? Area 53 and bringticket are giving away 2×100 beers.
🍺 Is there a magic spell to summon good luck? Of course! Tag yourself and/or your festival buddies in the post. Tell us why you (or your crew) should win 100 beers. Like the post and share it in your story!
Osterhansi Part 3
📜 Everyone who secured an Area 53 ticket by Easter Sunday at 11:59 PM or already had one, had the chance to win 2× 100 beers. The Area 53 festival mascot, “Area 53 Jesus,” couldn’t have picked a more fitting weekend to announce the two winners. 🍻Find out if you’ve won in the video, good luck!
⚡Meet And Greet Special - Visions Of Atlantis 2026
Anyone who fights their way to the Napalm Records or Visions of Atlantis merch stand at Area 53 Festival 2026 and grabs an epic piece of Visions Of Atlantis merch will receive a raffle ticket. Right after the show, five crowd pirates will be drawn live on stage and summoned straight to the backstage area, where they can enjoy an exclusive meet & greet plus a small photo session with the symphonic-metal pirates. Of course, there’s also a hidden treasure (a goodie bag full of fan merch) waiting for them on top!
⚡Honor
Loud and unforgettable: Three days, thousands of fans, endless energy – this gallery captures the moments when metal was celebrated in all its glory. From the stage – a thunder of guitars and an unforgettable tribute to the bands that made this festival legendary. All photos are free to use – just credit the respective photographers and link to them. Honor where honor is due.
⚔️Jazz Gitti ft. Area 53 Jesus
⚔️ The Metal Messiah has landed
More punctual than a German towel on a sunbed at an all-inclusive resort, the Area 53 Jesus landed precisely at 10:00 AM on Saturday, descending from a height of 35 meters in front of the legendary Jesus Chapel at the Deluxe campsite – all in front of hundreds of sunburn-disguised metalheads. What started years ago as a joke by the organizers has now become a cult tradition and a firmly established ritual of the festival – meant to be taken, of course, with a wink. Around 1,000 metal fans gathered for the traditional headbanger march to the morning pint at the festival grounds – true to style with beer cans in hand and legendary gestures.
⚔️ Caravan / Camping News
The organizers Hannes and Oli will take you on a tour of the Area 53 Battlefield (festival grounds). What's new? Spoiler: A new Murinsel caravan/campsite starting in 2025, with access to the Mur riverbank.
⚔️ The Bavarian Village
For the first time in the history of Area 53, a mayor has been elected – someone who ruled over the Bavarian Village during the festival. And here he is: the head honcho, the leader of the pack – the Mayor of 2025!
Early Bird Festival Ticket
The Bavarian Village
Festival T-Shirt 2024
Festival T-Shirt 2024
I Am From Schladnitz
I Am From Schladnitz
Festival T-Shirt 2023
Festival T-Shirt 2023
Festival Zip Hoodie 2024
Festival Zip Hoodie 2024
Festival Zip Hoodie 2023
Festival Zip Hoodie 2023
Area 53 Logo Patch
Area 53 Badetuch
Festival Girls Tank Top 2024
Girls Tank Top 2024
Girls Tank Top 2024
Festival Tank Top 2023
Festival Tank Top 2023
Six bands out of a total of 130 applications made it through and competed against each other on April 11, 2026, to secure two coveted slots on the main stage of the Area 53 Festival 2026. The evaluation was carried out through a combination of 50% audience voting and 25% each from Oli of the Area 53 Festival and Bernd from Napalm Records & bringticket.
The Jury
Area 53 Jesus aka Flos Metal World, Bernd, Oli
Photo Credit: Thomas Eisenpass
THE DEVASTATION – 1st place
The incredible part: the band members are only between 14 and 17 years old, yet they’re already delivering a powerful sound with serious punch, which they describe themselves as “occult metal and hard rock.” Dark, intense, and backed by impressively strong vocals. If you want to hear what the “next generation” of metal sounds like, you should definitely check them out: Slot #2 on Friday at Area 53 Festival 2026! Photo Credit: Thomas Eisenpass
ENTER INFINITE – 2nd place
Enter Infinite are bringing their progressive metalcore from Graz to Leoben - straight into Slot #1 on Friday at Area 53 Festival 2026. With their distinctive style and powerful sound, the band is ready to take over the Area 53 stage. We’re looking forward to seeing you! Photo Credit: Thomas Eisenpass
SISTERLESS – Special Prize
The Real McKenzies are among the international heavyweights of the punk scene, captivating fans all over the world. As a special prize in cooperation with Punk Verein Austria, we’re sending the young local grunge band SISTERLESS - who placed 1st in the audience vote - to the Music-House in Graz on July 8, 2026, where they will open the evening as the support act. Save the date, grab your tickets early, and don’t miss it!