It’s turbulent time for emo kids at heart, as When We Were Young Fest—the viral music festival inspired by waves of nostalgia for the emo, pop-punk, and rock bands of the ’90s and 2000s, is taking a step back in only its fifth year.
The viral festival, which experienced explosive popularity from the beginning, announced this week, after sparking concern from fans with a lack of any information about plans for 2026, that it would taking “a pause” to “give this festival the care it deserves and to make sure what comes next feels just as special as what came before.”
While the fan-favorite music festival promised a grand return next year, many fans aren’t holding their breath for a big reunion come 2027.
“It’s the end, guys,” one replied dramatically. “Music festivals don’t ever come back after skipping a year.”
“That’s what firefly said in 2022 🤷🏻♀️,” another countered, calling back to the music festival that has cancelled every year since it’s 10th anniversary celebration.
“bye forever,” someone else emphasized, as another mourned, “Another one bites the dust.”
“Not the black background of death!” someone else quipped.
All fans can do, for now, is hope the festival stays true to its word and returns bigger and better than ever after some rest and recovery.
— When We Were Young (@WWWYFest) February 27, 2026
When Is When We Were Young Fest Scheduled For?
Currently, the emo-themed music festival is scheduled to return after a year-long hiatus in October 2027.
Who Will Play at When We Were Young Fest 2027?
There’s no lineup yet, and likely won’t be until much closer to showtime—if it all moves forward as currently planned—but fans can safely anticipate seeing many of their favorite ’90s and early aughts throwback acts.
Panic! At The Disco, Blink-182, Weezer, The Offspring, Avril Lavigne, My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Green Day and Paramore have all headlined over the years, with other well-known bands like Sum 41, All Time Low, Simple Plan, Yellowcard, Jimmy Eat World, The Used, and Dashboard Confessional all featured—not to mention lesser known but equally loved acts like Hey Monday, The Summer Set, Ice Nine Kills, Never Shout Never and Taylor Acorn.
Related: ‘Young Sheldon’s Mckenna Grace Teams Up With Heavy Metal Band Ice Nine Kills for ‘Scream 7’ Soundtrack
Where Will When We Were Young Fest 2027 Be Held?
Ever since its inception in 2022, When We Were Young Fest has been staged at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The festival promised it would “return to Las Vegas in October 2027,” but fans hope they might reconsider that location, with one hoping for a traveling act akin to Warped Tour, and many crossing their fingers for anywhere by Vegas, because “no one can afford that.”
Where Can I Get Tickets for When We Were Young Fest 2027?
Tickets are not on sale for When We Were Young Fest 2027. In fact, the exact date, and whether or not the festival will be sticking with its new single weekend format, is yet to be announced.
When the time comes, tickets should be available directly from the festival’s website.
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