Bonnaroo cancels 2027 festival after severe Tennessee storms
Bonnaroo cancels 2027 festival plans after severe storms battered its Manchester, Tennessee grounds for the second consecutive year. Organizers announced Friday that the annual music event will take a "much-needed year off" so the 700-acre Bonnaroo Farm can rest and recover from back-to-back weather disruptions, including heavy rain that cut short the final day of the June 2026 festival.
Key Takeaways
- Bonnaroo organizers confirmed Friday that the 2027 festival will not take place.
- Severe storms have hit the Manchester, Tenn., grounds in back-to-back years, including flooding that canceled the 2025 event after one day.
- Organizers invested in drainage, new roadways, and grass ahead of 2026, but weather still disrupted the final day.
- The 2026 festival ran June 11–14 with performers including The Strokes, Noah Kahan, "Weird Al" Yankovic, and Kesha.
- Bonnaroo typically draws about 80,000 fans annually, making it one of America's largest music festivals.
Why did Bonnaroo cancel its 2027 festival?
Organizers said the decision was not easy but necessary. In a statement released Friday, they explained that Bonnaroo will skip 2027 to give The Farm time to heal after repeated severe weather.
"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," the statement read.
"This wasn't an easy decision, and not one we take lightly, but in our hearts, we know this break will only make Bonnaroo better," organizers added.
What weather hit Bonnaroo during the 2026 festival?
The 2026 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival proceeded June 11–14 on the 700-acre Bonnaroo Farm in Manchester, Tenn. The Strokes, Noah Kahan, "Weird Al" Yankovic, and Kesha were among the performers who took the stage.
However, severe weather struck on the festival's final day. Heavy rain forced Aly & AJ, Trombone Shorty, and TV Girl to cancel their scheduled sets. The disruption came after storms had already battered the grounds for a second straight year.
More wet weather is expected in the area early next year as El Niño strengthens, according to The Tennessean.
What upgrades did organizers make to the festival grounds?
Before the 2026 event, Bonnaroo invested heavily in improvements designed to help the property withstand severe weather. Organizers said they spent significant effort and money upgrading the campgrounds and Centeroo.
Those changes included improved drainage, 4.5 miles of new roadways, and 135 acres of new grass. The upgrades were intended to strengthen The Farm's resiliency against Mother Nature, but they were not enough to prevent further disruptions during this year's closing day.
When has Bonnaroo been canceled before?
Weather and pandemic-related issues have interrupted Bonnaroo several times in recent years. The 2025 festival was canceled after just one day due to flooding.
The 2021 edition was also called off after being postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic and later threatened by Hurricane Ida. The live music industry shutdown also prevented a 2020 festival.
Founded in 2002, Bonnaroo has hosted major acts including Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Radiohead, Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Eminem, and Elton John. For more celebrity breaking news, follow our latest coverage. Read the full announcement via Page Six.