In a surprising announcement, the renowned Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is set to take a much-needed pause next year.
Traditionally held every year on the expansive 700-acre Bonnaroo Farm in Manchester, Tennessee, the festival revealed last Friday that it will cancel its 2027 event. This decision comes after consecutive years of severe storms wreaking havoc on its grounds.
“After much deliberation, we’ve made the tough decision for Bonnaroo to take a vital year off in 2027,” festival organizers shared in a public statement.
“Reaching this conclusion wasn’t easy, nor did we make it lightly, but deep down, we believe this hiatus will ultimately enhance the Bonnaroo experience,” they added.
Organizers elaborated that with the limited time available to recover from two consecutive years of storm damage, including a particularly torrential rainstorm this past Sunday, the Farm, especially its main venue, is in dire need of a rest to recuperate and rejuvenate.
The festival had invested heavily in the property ahead of this year’s event, making improvements intended to help it withstand severe weather, but they weren’t enough to prevent more disruptions.
“As you know, we spent a great deal of effort and money working to improve the campgrounds and Centeroo in the months leading into the 2026 festival,” the statement continued.
“That included improved drainage, 4.5 miles of new roadways, and 135 acres of new grass, all which strengthened The Farm’s resiliency to Mother Nature.”
More wet weather is expected in the area early next year as El Niño strengthens, according to the Tennessean.
This year’s festival went ahead June 11-14, with The Strokes, Noah Kahan, “Weird Al” Yankovic and Kesha among the artists who performed.
But severe weather disrupted the final day, forcing Aly & AJ, Trombone Shorty and TV Girl to cancel their sets.
While Bonnaroo was canceled in 2025 after one day due to flooding, the 2021 festival was also called off after being postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic and later threatened by Hurricane Ida.
The only other year Bonnaroo didn’t take place was 2020, when the live music industry shut down during the pandemic.
Founded in 2002, Bonnaroo has hosted some of music’s biggest names over the years, including Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Radiohead, Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Eminem and Elton John.
The event typically draws around 80,000 fans to Manchester each year, making it one of the country’s biggest music festivals.