In a surprise announcement today, Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival organizers have announced the event will not return in 2027.
“The Farm, particularly the main venue, needs a break to rest and recover,” said a statement posted to the festival’s social channels.
“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.”
The festival and its site has struggled over the last several years, enduring a string of severe weather events and subsequent flooding. Leading into the 2026 event, organizers said they improved drainage, added 4.5 miles of new roadways, and sowed 135 acres of new grass. But even those efforts proved not enough to sustain a heavy rainstorm on Sunday of the festival.
While fans assume the festival will return in 2028, the announcement did not directly mention such plans.
“We hope you’ll continue radiating positivity in your community throughout the year and thank you for loving this festival as much as we do.”
Full Bonnaroo Statement
To our Bonnaroo Family, THANK YOU for an epic Bonnaroo 2026. Our hearts are filled to the brim from the weekend that we shared in June. The Farm remains as special as ever, and for a few days, we were once again reminded of the good things in this world.
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. 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. 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.
So, here’s what we’ve decided: Bonnaroo will be taking a much-needed year off in 2027. 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.
We hope you’ll continue radiating positivity in your community throughout the year and thank you for loving this festival as much as we do.
Love,
The Bonnaroo Team
Featured photo by Charles Reagan for Bonnaroo
