Bonnaroo Festival Abruptly Canceled Due to Severe Weather Threats

Music fans attending the annual Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Tennessee are facing disappointment as organizers have canceled the event’s remaining schedule. Rising concerns about perilous weather conditions and the welfare of attendees triggered this difficult choice.

Cancellation Announcement

Organizers announced the cancellation of the remainder of Bonnaroo due to dangerous weather threats. The National Weather Service issued an updated forecast predicting ongoing, heavy precipitation, potentially creating unsafe camping and exit conditions for the coming days. The festival made the announcement via a post on X.

Today, the National Weather Service provided us with an updated forecast with significant and steady precipitation that will produce deteriorating camping and egress conditions in the coming days. We are beyond gutted, but we must make the safest decision and cancel the remainder of Bonnaroo. 😭

Read more: https://t.co/rFhP0xMvEw pic.twitter.com/G79q87aQ6n

— Bonnaroo (@Bonnaroo) June 16, 2024

“We are beyond gutted, but we must make the safest decision and cancel the remainder of Bonnaroo,” the festival organizers said in a statement. “We are going to make things right with you, and you will find refund information at the end of this message, but let’s start with the next steps.”

—Bonnaroo Organizers

The organizers requested patience from the Bonnaroo community, particularly for those whose campsites were affected by the rain. Extreme weather events are becoming more commonplace; studies suggest that the frequency of heavy precipitation events has increased across the United States since the 1950s (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).

Refund Details

The festival provided details about refunds. One-day tickets for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, purchased through Front Gate Tickets, will be fully refunded. Four-day admission tickets purchased via Front Gate Tickets will receive a 75% refund. Moreover, 4-Day camping accommodations purchased through Front Gate Tickets will also receive a 75% refund. Refunds will be processed within thirty days, using the original payment method.

Next Steps

The festival aims to prioritize helping campers, especially those in difficult spots. Organizers have asked those in RVs or pre-pitched accommodations to consider staying overnight so that they can be safely escorted off The Farm tomorrow. Food vendors and health and safety infrastructure in Outeroo will continue to function as usual.