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Bonnaroo Reveals 2026 Dates & Changes to Reduce Flooding Risk: ‘We’ve Been Taking Your Feedback to Heart’
The highly anticipated festival, Bonnaroo, has just announced its return for 2026, set to take place from June 11-14. In a bold move to ensure the safety and well-being of attendees, organizers have implemented significant changes aimed at reducing flooding risk.
After sending out an attendee survey, Bonnaroo has taken the crucial step of discontinuing the use of campsites located in the areas most affected by flooding last year. This drastic measure will necessitate a reduction in capacity for the upcoming event. Nevertheless, festival-goers can anticipate similar top-notch stages and programming within the main festival site, Centeroo.
Another notable adjustment includes pushing back camping entry and programming in the Outeroo area to the Wednesday of the fest, rather than the previous year’s earlier start date. Additionally, traditional Thursday performances on the What Stage have been discontinued, replaced by a ‘welcome party’ event to kick off the festivities.
Furthermore, the Where in the Woods UFO Stage will be relocated from its long-standing spot within the Outeroo area to Centeroo, where it will feature an array of DJ sets and late-night parties. Unfortunately, this means that Infinity Stage, which debuted at the 2025 festival, will not return next year.
In a statement, Bonnaroo organizers acknowledged the devastating flooding experience from last year’s event, emphasizing their commitment to implementing changes aimed at alleviating such risks in the future. Notably, they highlighted the multi-million dollar effort invested in improving drainage and land management on the Manchester, Tennessee site over the past few years.
Furthermore, an extraordinary undertaking has been initiated for the current off-season, focusing on enhancing campgrounds and other areas impacted by the 2025 heavy rainfall. Specifically, this includes reseeding the land, increasing access roads within campsites, introducing supplementary drainage measures, and reinforcing primary water runoff pathways to ensure a safer environment for attendees.
Despite the challenges faced in 2025, Bonnaroo remains committed to its traditional June time frame as the optimal season for the festival.
Source: www.billboard.com
