The 2025 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival has been officially canceled amid severe flooding and deteriorating conditions in Manchester, Tennessee. The National Weather Service issued forecasts for significant, steady rain that led to some campsites—particularly pods 3 through 8—being knee-deep in water. Organizers prioritized evacuations for camps in the worst-affected areas and those with accessibility needs.
Despite the cancellation, vendors and safety staff are maintaining operations in safer camping zones to support attendees on-site. Attendees and the broader Bonnaroo community have expressed disappointment but understanding in Reddit discussions, often calling attention to the recurring flooding challenges the festival has faced in recent years.
Key points from the community:
- Many empathized with campers stuck in flooded areas and expressed hopes for safe evacuations.
- Some attendees initially frustrated about their campsite assignments acknowledged the severity after seeing conditions elsewhere.
- The recurring nature of cancellations due to weather at Bonnaroo was highlighted, with references to the 2021 cancellation amid Hurricane Ida flooding.
- Several community members turned their focus towards the upcoming Lollapalooza festival as a positive next step.
Weather Outlook for Manchester, TN (June 14–20, 2025)
- Saturday (June 14): Humid with morning showers and afternoon thunderstorms; high 84°F
- Sunday (June 15): Mostly cloudy and humid with showers and possible thunderstorms; high 81°F
- Early next week continues with humid conditions, cloud breaks, and scattered thunderstorms expected through Friday (June 20).
This significant weather disruption underscores ongoing challenges for outdoor festivals in the region. Bonnaroo organizers and attendees will be monitoring conditions closely as they work through evacuations and plan next steps for the festival’s future.
Stay tuned to Extra Chill Festival Wire for the latest updates on Bonnaroo’s status and news from other top summer festivals like Lollapalooza.
Source: r/lollapalooza