Wasteland Weekend
EARLY ARRIVAL POLICY
The event opens to attendees on Wednesday, September 30th, 2026.
Check in opens at 7am on Wednesday, September 30th, 2026.
Drivers may park in line starting at 12:01am (midnight) Wednesday morning.
For more on our Event Entry Etiquette (including the Midnight Line), head here.
Early Access (EA) Passes
Only individuals and groups with official approval and Early Access (EA) passes will be permitted to be on site and set up before the event is open to the public.
(You will know if this applies to you.)
The event closes at noon on Sunday, October 4th.
Attendees are required to have departed by 4pm Sunday.
Only those with teardown passes will be permitted to remain past 4pm on Sunday.
Early Access (EA) is only valid until Tuesday, September 29th at 10:00pm.
Anyone with Early Access (EA) showing up after that time will need to wait until the gates open at 7am on Wednesday, September 30th.
No exceptions.
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Who is eligible for Early Access?
Staff scheduled for pre-event duties
Onsite Build Crew
Pre-approved Tribes that have submitted an application, received approval, and have been placed on the map in the Theme Zone.
Approved Vendors (Goods & Services, Food Vendors)
THEME ZONE TRIBES – Only approved Tribes are eligible for EA consideration. Not every Tribe will get EA passes to set up your camp, but if you do, you will confirm what day your build will start. No approval, no entry.
VOLUNTEERS & PERFORMERS – If you have been approved AND scheduled for a volunteer shift before 7am on Wednesday, you will receive an email confirming your EA status. Onsite build crew, support staff, and entertainers that are required to be onsite and ready for early shifts will also receive notification via email. If your volunteer shift does not require you to be onsite early, you will not get a pass. Do not contact Team Leads or staff requesting early shifts for the purpose of getting in the gates early; you will be denied.
What if I’m carpooling with people who don’t have early arrival passes?
Anyone in a vehicle without a valid pass will be denied entry. Plan your carpools accordingly.
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BE ON YOUR BEST BEHAVIOR.
All local and state laws apply at all times, even during the Early Access window.
All event rules (minus required costumes) are also in effect during the Early Access window.
Failure to comply will result in your ejection from the event, and possible banning from future events.
Do not take or post photos or videos of any camp that isn’t yours.
Do not take or post photos or videos of any official event areas or builds.
Think of it this way- maybe someone is coming to Wasteland for their first time. We want them to see and experience the finished, completed event as intended, not half-built city gates or stage.
Do not post photos or videos showing event wristbands.
Doing so will result in your ejection from the event, and possible banning from future events.
This should go without saying, but is especially true for early arrival and teardown. One security incident, confrontation with staff (for any reason), or drug/alcohol related problem, and you lose this privilege. Forever. You may also jeopardize access for your entire camp, lose placement, and have early arrival status revoked for your theme camp.
Anyone WITHOUT a valid EA pass who shows up at the event prior to the official opening time (7am Wednesday)
WILL be turned away, and will need to wait in the general public line.