When We Were Young will be taking a break in 2026.
On Friday (Feb. 27), organizers of the Las Vegas emo-themed music festival announced that this year’s event is being paused, but they assured fans it will return next year.
“To our When We Were Young Family,” the statement on Instagram began. “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.”
Organizers did not provide a specific reason for this year’s hiatus.
They added, “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.”
Over the years, the Live Nation-produced festival has showcased headliners including Green Day, Blink-182, My Chemical Romance, and the Killers. From 2022 through 2025, the event was held every October at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds.
When We Were Young’s 2025 lineup was headlined by Blink-182 and Panic! at the Disco. Panic! reunited for a one-off performance following their split announcement in early 2023 and final European shows in early 2024. Last year’s edition also featured Weezer, Avril Lavigne, Taking Back Sunday, Social Distortion, the Offspring, Plain White T’s, Ice Nine Kills, and the Gaslight Anthem.
In 2024, the festival featured My Chemical Romance performing their landmark album The Black Parade, alongside sets from Nada Surf, 3OH!3, Neck Deep, New Found Glory, Pretty Girls Make Graves, Atreyu, Saves the Day, Silverstein, and Coheed and Cambria.
