News

When We Were Young Fest is on hiatus for 2026

Las Vegas emo and pop-punk nostalgia fest When We Were Young won’t be happening this year – but don’t worry, “This isn’t goodbye – it’s just a pause.”

When We Were Young Fest is on hiatus for 2026
Words:
Emily Garner
Photo:
Stu Garneys

When We Were Young is going on hiatus this year.

The Las Vegas Festival Grounds will sadly be an emo and pop-punk-free zone in 2026, as the organisers are taking some time to give the fest the “care it deserves and to make sure what comes next feels just as special as what came before”. But don’t worry – it’ll be back again in 2027, so let’s start studying past calendars and working out what big albums will be celebrating anniversaries next year and could be contenders…

Over the past few years, When We Were Young has been headlined by the likes of My Chemical Romance, Paramore, blink-182, Green Day and Fall Out Boy, with last year featuring a very special – and at this point, standalone – comeback by Panic! At The Disco.

A full statement from WWWY reads:

“The songs, the memories, the moments – none of it exists without you. After an unforgettable run in Las Vegas, we’ve decided to take 2026 off to give this festival the care it deserves and to make sure what comes next feels just as special as what came before.

“When We Were Young Festival will return to Las Vegas in October 2027.

“Thank you for showing up with your whole hearts every year. This isn’t goodbye – it’s just a pause.

“We’ll see you in 2027.”

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