Update: On the morning of August 21, fans’ fears were confirmed when Bonnaroo announced a “much-needed year off in 2027.” In the statement, Bonnaroo explained: “This wasn’t an easy decision, not one we take lightly, but in our hearts, we know this break will only make Bonnaroo better.” They addressed how weather-related cancellations in recent years were a major factor in this decision. “With limited time to recuperate from back-to-back years of storms, including the heavy rainstorm on Sunday this year, The Farm, particularly the main venue, needs a break to rest and recover.”
Since 2002, the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival has taken place annually in Manchester, Tennessee, except in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced a cancellation. That wouldn’t be the only year the festival encountered issues, though. In 2021, the festival was cancelled entirely due to torrential rain from Hurricane Ida, a major letdown for diehard festival-goers. In 2025, the festival was cancelled midway through its second day due to severe weather conditions. Heavy flooding had turned the campgrounds into thick mud. This year, the festival faced weather-related evacuations. Headliners Skrillex, Rüfüs Du Sol, and Noah Kahan were still able to perform.
Could these previous cancellations be the reason why the festival has been radio silent since June? Normally, Bonnaroo announces dates for the upcoming year around July so festival-goers can prepare a full year in advance. As we near the end of August, fans are questioning whether the festival will return, as three of the last six years have been riddled with cancellations.
Bonnaroo podcast host doesn’t answer with confidence
As next year’s dates are still unannounced, Bonnaroo reached out to festival attendees to complete a survey. They asked if fans would be willing to attend the festival if it were moved to September instead of June. This further generated rumors about whether the festival would return at all, as their team is clearly weighing options.
Barry Courter is the host of a Bonnaroo news podcast, The What Podcast. He recently mentioned, “I will say this…we are monitoring some news out of Bonnaroo, just to let you know we are aware. We’re watching it. When we know more, we will let you know more.”
Additionally, the city of Manchester, Tennessee, hasn’t heard anything either. Normally, the festival confirms its return with the city, but neither the city nor the emergency service personnel have heard anything from the festival organizers. Though the festival isn’t officially cancelled, there are certainly decisions of some kind happening behind the scenes. Fans are anxious to find out if their favorite festival will return or will be moved back to September next year.
Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images
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