When We Were Young Festival has confirmed it will take 2026 off, with organisers promising the beloved Las Vegas emo gathering will return in October 2027. Since launching in 2022 at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds, the one day event has become a pilgrimage for pop punk and alternative fans worldwide, frequently expanding to a second date each October due to overwhelming demand. After four consecutive years, the team says the break will ensure the festival’s future remains as special as its past.

In a heartfelt message to fans, When We Were Young described the decision as a necessary pause rather than a farewell. The statement thanked its loyal community for the songs, memories and moments shared across its run, adding, “This isn’t goodbye, it’s just a pause.” The announcement closes the chapter on another standout year for the nostalgia driven event, which has cemented itself as a defining fixture on the global emo festival calendar.

Recent editions have delivered era defining reunions and full album performances. Highlights have included Panic! At The Disco celebrating ‘A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out’, alongside appearances from All Time Low, Yellowcard, The Used, Simple Plan and Taking Back Sunday. Earlier programming also saw My Chemical Romance perform ‘The Black Parade’ in full, while Jimmy Eat World and A Day To Remember revisited classic records for packed out crowds.

While When We Were Young regroups, sister event Sick New World will continue its expansion in 2026 with two shows, including 25th April, 2026 in Las Vegas and 24th October, 2026 in Texas. System Of A Down will headline both, joined by KoRn, Bring Me The Horizon, Deftones and Slayer among others, keeping Las Vegas firmly at the centre of the alternative festival universe.