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Full Refunds Offered by Bonnaroo Amid Backlash


The highly anticipated Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, scheduled from June 12 to June 15 at The Farm in Manchester, TN, faced an unexpected cancellation on June 13 due to severe weather conditions. In response to the initial decision, which offered a mere 75% refund to all four-day ticket holders, the organizers quickly adapted to the backlash by increasing the refund to a full 100%. However, they have not provided any announcements regarding future festival plans, keeping fans in suspense about the event’s next steps.

Bonnaroo Organizers’ Official Statement on the Cancelled Festival

On June 20, Bonnaroo organizers took to social media to update their followers about the situation. They emphasized, “We want you to know that we’re still actively engaged in discussions to enhance The Farm that we cherish. Currently, we cannot announce any future dates, but rest assured that you will be the first to know when plans are finalized.” This communication reflects their commitment to transparency and connection with the Bonnaroo community.

Furthermore, they confirmed the increase in the refund rate to 100%, which applies to four specific ticket types purchased through Front Gate Tickets. These include: “All 1-Day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Admission Tickets,” “All 1-Day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Day Parking,” “All 4-Day Admission Tickets,” and “All 4-Day Camping Accommodations.” This move underscores their responsiveness to attendee concerns and their dedication to fair treatment.

In their heartfelt message, they expressed:

“Everyone involved in this festival holds a deep love for Bonnaroo. Some of us have been here since its early days, some were fans before joining, and some are new yet instantly captivated by your energy and spirit at The Farm. We eagerly anticipate this show annually; it rejuvenates our spirit and reinforces our belief in community every summer.”

“Our primary goal is to provide you with an unforgettable weekend each year. This cancellation has profoundly saddened us, yet we recognized it was essential for your safety. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this challenging time.”

You can view their post below, and the Bonnaroo website also mentions that “All refunds will be processed within a maximum of 30 days, using the original payment method.”

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On June 17, they shared a succinct message on social media (which you can also find below):

“Thank you, Bonnaroovians, and the entire Bonnaroo team. Last weekend did not unfold as planned, but together we navigated through it. Please know that we are attentively listening and reading every comment. Bonnaroo is not just a weekend on a farm in Tennessee; it represents all of you. We love you.”

Both posts, along with Bonnaroo’s revised decision, were direct responses to the criticism faced by festival organizers regarding their prior refund strategy.

Alongside the backlash from numerous attendees on social media platforms, MSN reported on June 20 that a Change.org petition has emerged, gathering over 6,000 signatures demanding “100% refunds from Live Nation (the entity managing Bonnaroo).”

The petition articulates:

This year’s Bonnaroo music festival, managed by Live Nation, was nothing short of disappointing for countless attendees. Many festival-goers encountered unexpected challenges, including severe weather, poor organization, and inadequate facilities. These issues severely compromised the festival experience, which did not align with what was promised upon ticket purchase. Many invested significant amounts in tickets, travel, and accommodations, hoping for exceptional performances and amenities. Instead, they faced long wait times, insufficient sanitation facilities, and the cancellation of major acts. Such discrepancies between expectations and reality warrant a full refund to rebuild trust in Live Nation’s commitment to its audience.

Numerous attendees reported being stranded for hours amid harsh conditions, which were poorly managed by event organizers. Additionally, the communication regarding delays and cancellations was often confusing and sometimes misleading. Visuals and testimonials from attendees paint a concerning picture of mismanagement and unmet expectations. Reports indicate that Live Nation’s revenue in 2022 exceeded $16 billion, highlighting their financial capability to honor refund requests without risking their business stability.

This petition urges Live Nation to fulfill its responsibility and provide a complete refund to those whose Bonnaroo experience was marred by the festival’s shortcomings. Festival-goers deserve a seamless experience and should not have to bear the financial burden of organizational failures. Sign this petition to compel Live Nation to uphold its obligations and deliver full refunds to impacted ticket holders. Let us hold them accountable for their service and demand the quality promised to consumers. Please share this with your friends and family!

It appears that Bonnaroo organizers are striving to rectify the situation to the best of their abilities.

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Insights on the Bonnaroo 2025 Cancellation Events

According to Consequence, Bonnaroo 2025 commenced positively, with performances from artists like The Lemon Twigs and Insane Clown Posse on Thursday, June 12. However, organizers made the difficult decision to postpone “much of Friday’s festivities” and ultimately canceled the event late Friday night. This decision was based on an updated forecast from the National Weather Service, predicting “significant and steady precipitation that would lead to deteriorating camping and egress conditions in the following days.”

Consequence added:

As a result of this cancellation, all 1-day admission tickets and day parking passes for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday purchased through the festival’s primary ticket vendor, Front Gate Tickets, will be fully refunded. Additionally, refunds for four-day admission tickets and 4-day camping accommodations will reflect a 75% refund. Refunds will be processed back to the original payment method and may take up to 30 days to complete.

On June 13, Bonnaroo shared an extensive statement regarding the cancellation via social media (which you can view below), expressing that they were “beyond devastated” but had to prioritize safety by canceling the remaining events. They also requested “the Bonnaroo community” to remain patient as organizers focused on assisting “fellow campers” who were in “challenging conditions.”

Regrettably, most scheduled artists—including Hozier, Queens of the Stone Age, Foster the People, and newcomers Megadeth—were unable to perform.

This was not the first instance of Bonnaroo facing cancellation due to adverse weather, as the festival was also canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and again the following year due to heavy rainfall.

 

 

 

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Here you can find the original article; the photos and images used in our article also come from this source. We are not their authors; they have been used solely for informational purposes with proper attribution to their original source.

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Sarah Parker is a research analyst and content contributor with a strong interest in business strategy, organizational behavior, and social development. With a background in sociology and public policy, she focuses on exploring the intersection between research and real-world application. Sarah regularly contributes articles that bridge academic insights and practical relevance, aiming to foster critical thinking and innovation across sectors.