Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival has canceled the rest of its schedule, festival officials confirmed via Instagram, after severe weather slammed the site in Manchester, Tennessee, on Friday.
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Festival grounds closed around 1 p.m. ET as storms swept in. Organizers later suspended all performances and halted access to Centeroo. They urged attendees to stay in their vehicles until conditions improve.
Many fans expressed disappointment on social media but praised organizers for prioritizing safety. Others shared photos of muddy campsites and flooded tents as storms continued to pound the region.
Bonnaroo Goes Bust
Bands scheduled for Thursday -- such as Ginger Root, Mannequin Pussy, Dogpark and Effin -- announced on social media that their sets were canceled. Officials did not specify a rescheduled date for these performances.
By mid-afternoon, the festival posted on Instagram: "Centeroo and the tolls are closed until the weather has passed. Please remain in a vehicle." This statement confirmed the message that all remaining events for the day were off.
Heavy Rain Forces Shutdown
Officials had warned attendees about daily thunderstorms throughout Bonnaroo (June 12-15). The National Weather Service predicted significant and steady rain, prompting preemptive safety actions.
In past crises, like the 2021 flood, organizers issued refunds and closed the grounds. They cited waterlogged paths and unsafe camping conditions as primary concerns.
Though Bonnaroo typically enforces a no-refund policy, severe weather historically triggers exceptions. In 2020, the festival issued refunds following its COVID cancellation. In 2021, it did the same after Hurricane Ida flooding.
Organizers have yet to release updated refund information for 2025. They did, however, encourage campers whose sites remain dry to stay overnight. That would ease exit logistics once the weather clears.
Mother Nature Interrupts Again
Since its debut in 2002, Bonnaroo has thrived on its mix of music genres -- from rock to reggae -- set across 700 acres of farmland. Thousands attend each June wearing its spirit of camaraderie and resilience.
For now, weather has paused that spirit in Manchester. But festival leaders pledged to resume once it's safe.
The cancellation marks one of the most abrupt in the festival's 20-plus-year history, with artists and vendors alike scrambling to adjust plans amid the ongoing downpours and logistical challenges.
