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RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WGNS) — A major weekend of live music and camping at Bonnaroo 2025 has come to a sudden end, and the impact is being felt far beyond the festival grounds — including right here in Rutherford County.
After a strong start with Tuesday campground openings and successful performances on Wednesday and Thursday, heavy rainfall Friday forced organizers to shut down the main festival area for most of the day. Then, just after 8 p.m. Friday evening, Bonnaroo officially announced the cancellation of all remaining weekend events, citing updated forecasts from the National Weather Service predicting "significant and steady precipitation" that would create hazardous conditions for camping and exiting the site.
“We are beyond gutted,” the statement read, “but we must make the safest decision and cancel the remainder of Bonnaroo.”
Local Impact: Traffic Expected on I-24 Through Rutherford County
With more than 80,000 people leaving Manchester early, local officials are warning of major congestion along I-24, especially through Murfreesboro and surrounding areas.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation has confirmed:
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Exit 111 and Exit 114 near Manchester will remain closed through Monday to control the outflow of traffic.
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Exit 112 will serve as an emergency westbound exit to help direct vehicles away from flooded and muddy areas.
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Heavy festival traffic is expected across Rutherford County, particularly near I-24 interchanges in Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and La Vergne. Drivers should expect delays throughout the weekend and into Monday morning.
Local emergency services in Rutherford County are monitoring the situation closely and urging residents to plan alternate routes if traveling near the interstate.
Refunds Announced for Attendees
Festival organizers have laid out the following refund policy:
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All 1-Day Admission and Parking Tickets (Friday through Sunday) purchased via Front Gate Tickets will be fully refunded.
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4-Day Admission Tickets will receive a 75% refund.
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Camping passes will also receive a 75% refund.
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Refunds will be processed within 30 days to the original payment method.
For those who purchased through third-party vendors, Bonnaroo encourages reaching out directly to the seller for next steps.
A Blow to Music Fans and Local Tourism
This cancellation marks another weather-related disruption for Bonnaroo, which was also canceled in 2021 due to the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. The festival typically brings a major economic boost to the region, including Rutherford County hotels, restaurants, and retailers that benefit from the increased traffic.
