The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee, known for bringing music lovers together on “The Farm,” faced an untimely end in 2025. Heavy rains forced organizers to cancel the remainder of the event on Friday, June 13th, after only completing the first day of festivities.
This marks the second time in just four years that Bonnaroo has been called off due to severe weather; the 2021 festival was canceled entirely before gates even opened because of flooding.
Why Bonnaroo 2025 Was Canceled
While the festival successfully kicked off on Thursday, severe storms moved in on Friday. Organizers initially delayed Friday’s scheduled events and even issued an evacuation notice. However, an updated forecast from the National Weather Service delivered the final blow, predicting “significant and steady precipitation” that would lead to “deteriorating camping and egress conditions” in the days ahead.
Festival management stated they were “beyond gutted” but emphasized that canceling was the “safest decision” for attendees, artists, and staff. Conditions on the ground quickly worsened, with rain settling in certain areas of the Outeroo camping grounds, leaving many sites in “rough shape” and difficult to navigate.
Impact on the Weekend: Who Played & Who Didn’t
Out of the highly anticipated headliners – Luke Combs, Tyler, the Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, and Hozier – only Luke Combs was able to take the stage before the cancellation. Combs delivered his headlining set on Thursday night, featuring guest appearances by Miranda Lambert, Jon Bellion, and Marcus King.
Thursday also saw performances from a host of other artists including Marcus King (who reportedly included tributes to Sly Stone and Brian Wilson), Wisp, The Droptines, The Lemon Twigs, Die Spitz, Daniel Donato, and Insane Clown Posse, who brought intense energy to the This Tent.
The cancellation meant Friday, Saturday, and Sunday’s entire lineups, including sets from Tyler, the Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, and Hozier, would not happen.
Navigating Departures & Request for Patience
In the wake of the cancellation, organizers communicated the challenging situation on the ground. They requested patience from the “Bonnaroo community,” highlighting that some campsites were significantly impacted by the rain. Prioritizing the safety and departure of campers whose sites were in the worst condition, as well as those with accessibility needs, was the immediate focus for Friday evening. Attendees in better-condition campsites, RVs, or pre-pitched accommodations were asked to consider staying overnight to ease congestion, with plans to assist their departure the following day. Essential services like food vendors and health and safety infrastructure remained operational in Outeroo during this period.
Bonnaroo 2025 Refund Information
Organizers confirmed that refunds would be issued to ticket holders affected by the cancellation.
Attendees who purchased 1-day admission tickets and day parking passes specifically for Friday, Saturday, or Sunday through the festival’s primary ticket vendor, Front Gate Tickets, will receive a 100% full refund.
Individuals who purchased four-day admission tickets and 4-day camping accommodations through Front Gate Tickets will receive a 75% refund of their ticket cost.
All eligible refunds are scheduled to be processed automatically back to the original payment method. Processing is expected to take up to 30 days to complete. Organizers directed attendees to the festival site for detailed refund information.
References
- www.rollingstone.com
- <a href="https://www.imdb.com/pt/news/ni65333880/?ref=nmnwr_2″>www.imdb.com
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- www.rollingstone.com
- www.rollingstone.com
