Twisted Sister 2026 Tour: Alaska State Fair Date Revealed

The Twisted Sister 2026 tour is officially coming to America. The band announced they will perform at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer on September 4, 2026. This marks their first confirmed US date for the highly anticipated reunion tour. Tickets go on sale Friday, December 6, 2025, at 10 a.m. AKST through the Alaska State Fair website.

Alaska might seem like an unusual choice for the first US show. However, the Alaska State Fair has a history of booking major classic rock artists. The ConocoPhillips Borealis Theatre provides an open-air venue perfect for the band’s legendary stage presence. Fans should arrive early for security screening and note that concert tickets are separate from fair admission.

The Alaska announcement follows a string of international dates. The band has been gradually revealing their 2026 schedule through social media. Earlier this week, they confirmed appearances at major European festivals including Graspop Metal Meeting in Belgium. More US dates are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

The Twisted Sister 2026 tour celebrates an incredible milestone: 50 years since the band’s formation. The journey began on February 2, 1976, at The Turtleneck Inn in Hunter Mountain, New York. That night, Dee Snider officially joined as lead singer and principal songwriter. The addition transformed the band’s direction and created the theatrical metal act fans know today.

Guitarist Jay Jay French reflects on the achievement with pride. “Beginning on February 2nd, 1976, Dee Snider, Eddie Ojeda and I have called ourselves Twisted Sister,” French stated. The three core members have stood together through decades of changes. They survived countless club gigs, lineup adjustments, and industry challenges. Their perseverance paid off with multi-platinum success in the 1980s.

The band’s legacy includes over 35 million albums sold worldwide. They earned 31 Gold and Platinum certifications across eight countries. Their anthems “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock” became cultural touchstones. These songs remain the most licensed tracks in heavy metal history. The reunion tour honors this extraordinary impact.

The Twisted Sister 2026 tour features three original core members. Dee Snider returns on vocals, bringing his commanding stage presence. Founding guitarist Jay Jay French and lead guitarist Eddie Ojeda complete the trio. However, longtime bassist Mark “The Animal” Mendoza will not participate. Snider cited “irreconcilable differences” when discussing Mendoza’s absence.

Russell Pzütto steps in on bass for the reunion. He previously toured with Snider’s solo projects and recorded on recent albums. Pzütto also worked as Mendoza’s bass tech during earlier Twisted Sister tours. The band members know him well and appreciate his technical abilities. Joe “Seven” Franco returns on drums after nearly four decades away from the band.

Franco last played with Twisted Sister during the “Love Is for Suckers” album and tour in 1987. He replaces the late A.J. Pero, who passed away in 2015. Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater filled in during the 2016 farewell tour. However, Portnoy’s current commitments with Dream Theater prevent him from joining the Twisted Sister 2026 tour. Franco’s return brings experience and familiarity to the lineup.

The Twisted Sister 2026 tour kicks off internationally before hitting the United States. The band begins in Sao Paulo, Brazil on April 25 at Bangers Open Air. From there, they head to Mexico City on May 1. European festivals dominate the summer schedule with major appearances across the continent. Each show celebrates five decades of hard rock excellence.

Here are the confirmed dates for the Twisted Sister 2026 tour:

• April 25: Sao Paulo, Brazil – Bangers Open Air
• May 1: Ciudad Deportiva, Mexico – Olympic Velodrome
• June 3-6: Solvesborg, Sweden – Sweden Rock Festival
• June 10: Milan, Italy – Mind Live Arena
• June 11-13: Zamora, Spain – Z! Live
• June 19: Dessel, Belgium – Graspop Metal Meeting
• June 26: Copenhagen, Denmark – Copenhell
• June 27: Oslo, Norway – Tons of Rock Festival
• July 3: Barcelona, Spain – RockFest Barcelona
• July 10: Chirpan, Bulgaria – Midalidare Rock in the Wine Valley
• July 23: Cologne, Germany – LanXESS Arena
• July 26: South Wales, UK – Steelhouse Festival
• August 23: Aarburg, Switzerland – Riverside Festival
• September 4: Palmer, Alaska – Alaska State Fair

More dates are expected to be announced soon. Fans should check the official Twisted Sister website for updates. The band hints at additional US shows throughout 2026. Festival appearances at Download UK, Sweden Rock, and possibly Rocklahoma remain unconfirmed. Visit our tours page for the latest classic rock news.

Dee Snider’s decision to reunite Twisted Sister came after serious personal reflection. The 70-year-old frontman experienced a health scare that changed his perspective. “I turned 70 this year and I had a health scare,” Snider revealed in recent interviews. The experience made him reconsider his retirement from the stage. “Am I ready to go?” he asked himself during this difficult time.

The scare prompted Snider to evaluate what really matters. “Do I really wanna do that without rocking one more time?” he questioned. He reached out to his bandmates with a simple proposal. “I said, ‘Guys, what do you think about doing it one more time?'” The response was enthusiastic. Together, they committed to the Twisted Sister 2026 tour as a celebration rather than a farewell.

“If you’re lucky enough to be in a band that people still want to see after fifty years(!), how can you not answer the call?” Snider explained. His passion remains undimmed after all these years. “In 2026, Twisted F***ing Sister will hit stages around the world because WE STILL WANNA ROCK!!” The declaration embodies the band’s eternal rebellious spirit. This isn’t about money or obligation but genuine love for performing.

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The Twisted Sister 2026 tour promises a spectacular celebration of five decades. Fans can expect the band’s most beloved anthems performed with raw energy. “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock” will undoubtedly anchor the setlist. These songs defined a generation and remain metal’s most licensed tracks. The theatrical stage presence that made Twisted Sister legendary will be on full display.

Dee Snider clarified expectations about the tour’s scope. “This is a handful of dates – I’m thinking it’s about 20, 25 shows around the world,” he explained. The band will focus on festivals and select headline shows. “It’s not a full-blown tour or anything like that,” Snider emphasized. Instead, it’s a celebration for fans and the band alike. They’re honoring 50 years of defying odds and achieving success.

The shows will blend classic hits with deep cuts from their catalog. Expect tracks from “Stay Hungry,” their multi-platinum breakthrough. Songs from “You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “Under the Blade” will likely appear. The band’s theatrical makeup and costumes made them icons of the hair metal era. While they removed makeup in later years, their visual impact remains unforgettable. Visit our news section for more updates.

Tickets for the Alaska State Fair show go on sale December 6, 2025. Fans can purchase through the official Alaska State Fair website starting at 10 a.m. AKST. Concert tickets are separate from fair admission. Convenience fees apply to all purchases. Children aged 2 and under enter free, while ages 3 and up require tickets.

For European festival dates, tickets are available through individual festival websites. Sweden Rock, Graspop Metal Meeting, and Copenhell all offer various ticket packages. Many festivals provide single-day or multi-day options. Early purchase is recommended as demand for the Twisted Sister 2026 tour is expected to be high. Fans should act quickly to secure their spots at these historic shows.

The band’s official website at TwistedSister.com lists all confirmed dates. Ticket links for each show are provided there. Fans can also sign up for the band’s newsletter for exclusive updates. Pre-sale opportunities and VIP packages may become available. Stay connected through official channels to avoid missing out on additional US dates when announced.

Twisted Sister’s impact on rock music extends far beyond album sales. The band ranked #73 on VH1’s “100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.” They were first-year inductees into the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2006. The Heavy Metal Hall of Fame welcomed them in 2023. In 1984, they even made fashion icon Blackwell’s “Worst Dressed Woman” list at #10 – a badge they wear with pride.

Their influence shaped the 1980s metal scene profoundly. The band combined theatrical shock rock with genuine musical chops. Their music videos became MTV staples when the network actually played music. The slapstick humor in their videos made them accessible to mainstream audiences. Yet they never compromised their hard rock edge or rebellious spirit.

The Twisted Sister 2026 tour celebrates more than just longevity. It honors a band that stayed true to their blue-collar roots. They fought through years of club gigs and industry rejection. When success finally arrived with “Stay Hungry,” they had already performed over 9,000 shows. Their work ethic and dedication inspired countless bands. The reunion proves that authentic rock and roll never dies.