Bonnaroo fans have been making a strong case to revive the festival’s beloved comedy and theater experiences, especially the iconic cinema tent. Longtime attendees reminisced about the early morning laughs, live podcasts, and air-conditioned comfort — a communal vibe still deeply missed.
On r/bonnaroo, the buzz centers around ideas for a first-come, first-served comedy tent featuring bleacher seating, big fans, and overflow viewing screens to recapture that laid-back, inclusive energy. This conversation underscores how much those moments of shared laughter and unique performances matter alongside Bonnaroo’s stellar music offerings.
Historically, Bonnaroo incorporated a 24-hour cinema tent and comedy acts (like Jim Breuer) in its early years, but those offerings were phased out by 2018. As of the latest 2025 lineup announcement, there’s no official comedy or cinema programming included. Instead, headliners Tyler, the Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, Luke Combs, and Hozier headline an electrifying music roster, along with unique features like King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard’s Roo Residency and Remi Wolf’s 1970s Pool Party SuperJam.
Festival insiders acknowledge the desire to bring back comedy but point to budget and scheduling hurdles that might push these acts into separate, ticketed events rather than being freely accessible festival staples. Meanwhile, the return of the cinema tent itself seems unlikely anytime soon.
Despite this, the community’s call is clear: fans want easily accessible comedy and theater experiences that blend naturally with the music fest atmosphere — no complex ticketing, just genuine, collective fun. Whether this push influences future Bonnaroo editions remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the laughter tents hold a cherished place in the hearts of the Bonnaroo community.
Source: r/bonnaroo