Don’t mind the Tennessee heat and humidity—there’s magic to be found on The Farm
The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival , held each June in Manchester , Tennessee , is , hired hand down , an experience unlike any other in the U.S. , Europe , or beyond . At the end , you ’ll more than probably be unsporting , ragged , and supremely exhausted , but simultaneously bursting with love from the new Friend made and the rightfully unique , once - in - a - life-time melodious sets know . Bonnaroo is both a proving ground and a hallowed ground .
Unlike other big - name fests infest with fame influencers promoting their latest brand partnership , at Bonnaroo pretension is put to repose . Think , “ Less Kardashian , more Woodstock . ” First off , it ’s hot and steamy ( no , really , you ’ll be sweating ceaselessly ) . It ’s also often pouring rain , lead in clay and , at times , genuine mud - sling . And the 700 - acre grounds be intimate as The Farm — the trilled tree - dappled land where Bonnaroo has been held since 2002 — can leave in concertgoers walk mile back and forth from stage to point , attraction to attractiveness . But there ’s a reason ’ Roo , as it ’s affectionately known to superfans , has one of the strongest communities on the festival circuit , many of whom make the trek back year after year after year . To them , Bonnaroo is n’t a long weekend — it ’s a complete state of judgement . The Farm is a berth where magic happens . And with a footling planning , you may have the experience of a lifetime .
Fortunately , artists get it , and tend to reward attendees ’ tenacity and inscription with unique sets ’ fill out the clock . Even a short leaning of preceding highlight is quite longsighted : Beastie Boys’last concert everin ’ 09.D’Angelo ’s replication to the stageafter a 12 - year hiatus in 2012.My Morning Jacket ’s covers - filled set in the torrential downpour of ’ 08 . Mumford & Sons ’ 2015 headliner feature a rendition of the Beatles’“With a Little Help from my friend ” … with a petty supporter fromMMJ , Dawes , Hozier , the War on drug , and others . Jay Z ’s 28 - song set in 2010.Radiohead ’s idea - blowing ’ 06 carrying into action . Paul McCartney ’s three - hour term of enlistment de force in 2013 . And then there ’s the annual SuperJam , institute together performers from across the spectrum . In 2007 , Ben Harper , John Paul Jones , and Questlove result a 25 - minute version of Led Zeppelin ’s “ Dazed and Confused ” before dive into“Superstition ” by Stevie Wonder . That ’s just a preference .
Centeroo Experience by Nathan Zucker for Bonnaroo
Here ’s your templet to get the most out of Bonnaroo 2025 , whether you are car bivouacking , mean solar day tripping , or coddle yourself ( relatively speaking ) by staying at a local hotel .
Where is Bonnaroo, how do I get there, and how much are tickets?
Bonnaroo is hold in Manchester , Tennessee , or so an time of day ’s thrust southeast of Nashville . Many attendees fly into Nashville International and rent a vehicle . Some sept , in interest of cheaper RVs , flee into Atlanta and push north . This year ’s fest running Thursday , June 12 through Sunday , June 15 , and four - day passes range from $ 480 for GA and $ 1,145 for very important person to $ 3,995 for Pt and up to $ 26,000 for Roo Insider . Single sidereal day passes commence at $ 169 . More infohere .
Where should I stay?
Well , your result will define your ’ Roo and there are several options , mostly based on your allowance for dirt and need for sleep . If you desire the full meal deal , connect the fans who travel from all corners of the globe and cable car - camp , or rent an recreational vehicle , and inscribe the holy campgrounds to shuffle with kindred spirits — one of the cornerstone of an unforgettable ’ Roo . The Farm becomes a city overnight , all over with street names and signs—80,000 the great unwashed suddenly living together under the southern sun and ace . If you choose this route , be certain to bring nuance — tent , umbrella , canopy … anything to block the sun and bring home the bacon respite . Some lover slumber in portable hammock , fabricate massive forts , splash about in kiddie pools , or build synergistic art display . Get originative ! Just avoid sleeping in a closed gondola , due to risk of overheating . Most fans in the campgrounds grow with the sun or shortly thereafter as the temps resurrect . And be quick to accept that this company does n’t stop — it just lulls for a few hours now and then . For more information on camping , FYI chit-chat theBonnaroo site . Premium , approachable , and VIP choice are available .
As for hotel , there are several choice walking distance from The Farm , and others further into Manchester accessible via shuttles . Within a half - mile is theComfort Suites Manchester(indoor pond , gym , free Wi - Fi , gratuitous breakfast ) , theHoliday Inn Express & Suites Manchester(buffet breakfast included),La Quinta Inn & Suites , Microtel Inn & Suites , and others for around $ 150 and up ) . Airbnb and Vrbo are choice , too , but the longer you hold off to book , the high the cost . ( Murfreesboro , around 40 minutes away , declare oneself additional lodging).Some camper double - dip : political party all night , clash in a collapsible shelter , then pop over to a hotel they ’ve reserve nearby for sleep and shower bath in the sunrise before yield for music in early good afternoon . And for day trip , returning to Nashville or another nearby city is an choice .
How’s the lineup? Which artists should I see in 2025?
Per usual , Bonnaroo ’s card is an eclectic mixing span virtually all genres . Saturday ’s pop - subjugation headliner Olivia Rodrigo is extremely anticipated. Aussie psych - stone traveler King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard are play a fete - first three - day residency. Cali sleeping accommodation - papa darling Remi Wolf is hosting the typically surprise - pack SuperJam on Saturday , this time billed as an “ INSANELY FIRE 1970S POOL PARTY SUPERJAM , ” so dress appropriately . Elsewhere , do n’t miss Friday star Tyler , The Creator , who rest a dynamic force in rose hip - hop and beyond , showcasing his latest album - length opus , Chromakopia . Beabadoobee , performing on Saturday , has been making wave with her nostalgic - yet - refreshing take on alt - careen . GloRilla , also Saturday , has quickly rise up in knock with her bluff lyrics and commanding presence . Hozier will close out the fest on Sunday with his magnanimous - than - aliveness soulful speech sound . More than 150 other acts will satiate fans ’ every perceptiveness , spanning indie royal house like Vampire Weekend , Modest Mouse , and Queens of the Stone Age on to land star Luke Combs , French saltation couple Justice , soda - punk rock picture Avril Lavigne , hardcore rap yoke Insane Clown Posse , Southern hip - hop icon Nelly , and beyond .
How’s the food?
Since most are camping , fan typically give the axe up a fully grown breakfast or lunch over the grill to fill up before heading into the festival , and bring snacks in their rucksack to top off throughout the day . Onsite , the fete offers an regalia of options . Expect southerly preparation at its finest — fried chicken , biscuits , dumplings , and more — plus taco trucks , smash burgers , maize dog … you name it . A few fan darling : Homeslice Pizzeria , which uses all local fresh ingredients including Nashville sourdough;The Inka Trailerfood truck from Nashville , serving up Peruvian use up like empanadas , chorizo fries , and spicy chicken sandos ; andPho Cue Vietnamese + BBQ — don’t miss their smoke brisket egg rolls . New to 2025 is Bonnaroo ’s Farmfare program that necessitate all seller to germ at least one ingredient topically or from a family farm . If you ’re a atomic number 78 just the ticket holder , you ’re in shop for apremium dining experiencewith celebrity chefs , backstage air travel - condition buffets , and a full - service free Centeroo measure .
Bonnaroo is notoriously environmentally tough. How do I not just survive, but thrive?
First off , ego - aid is authoritative at Bonnaroo . It ’s hot . Really hot – the temperature is often in the mid-90s Fahrenheit , the humidness over 85 % , and overall heat indices over 100 . You need to stay hydrated and out of the sun as much as possible . pledge H2O . The Farm offers copious hydration substance to replenish bottleful , plus fountains and misting areas to cool down off . And many of the creative person often make use of hoses and water toy dog in their sets if you ca n’t bear to break away . evidently , apply sunscreen munificently . In Centeroo , the mainstage area and spiritual heart of Bonnaroo , there are resources for exhausted fans in need of medical care .
How should I dress at Bonnaroo?
Less is more . Think swimsuits , short , armored combat vehicle tops , lid for protection from the sun , sandals or breathable athletic shoe , and a packsack for water , sunblock , snacks , and other necessities . That ’s it . It ’s seldom cold enough at night to necessitate anything more — especially when you ’re fence in by K of other fans , and even more peculiarly when you ’re all dancing .
How do I avoid having to walk back and forth too many times to my campsite?
Brass tack : You ’re going to get your steps in at Bonnaroo . Get acquainted withthe map — grab a pen and circle the locations of your camping ground , food / water , and the degree you desire to visit . Make a daily plan . It ’s a massive farm , but that ’s part of the adventure . And there ’s good news : Bonnaroo late pave many cardinal roads to decrease rubble created by the various move vehicles ( golf game carts , artist trucks ) and establish JamTrack , a tram that circles the festival grounds , drop concertgoers at primal stops on The Farm . learn out the map .
So… how are the bathrooms?
Back in the day , well , yeah , the Honey Buckets had a fortune of honey . But today , they ’re pristine . The festival has put in flushing toilets and even showers at central Plazas throughout the camping ground — the showers run $ 10 a rinse and are typically open 6 a.m. to midnight , and crews keep Plazas around the clock . ( Select premium camping packages let in shower verifier ) . bestow sandals , hall - room style . More info can be find on theBonnaroo web site .
What else is new? And what other Bonnaroo elements or experiences should I see?
The Infinity Stage , all - new in 2025 , is a innovational locus boasting spatial sound , synchronized lighting , and a three - dome , receptive - air design , creating the earthly concern ’s orotund immersive outdoor 360 - degree audio experience . There ’s the aforementioned Roo Residency , and do n’t escape Where in the Woods , a stagecoach in a forested region of the campgrounds with its own EDM lineup . For the first prison term in 2025 , each day will foreground artists from quality city , including Nashville , Austin , New Orleans , and Atlanta – check out the full batting order here . Beyond the music , in Centeroo there ’s yoga , a Ferris wheel , a monolithic fountain , and a marketplace where fan can buy arts and craft admit bless poster . There ’s even an annual 5 cat valium run around The Farm , a parade through Outeroo ( a.k.a . the campgrounds ) , and also Planet Roo , a chill - out zone and “ haven for sustainability , wellness , and global cognizance . ”
I’m sober—is Bonnaroo still fun? How do all types of fans fit in?
It sure is . And there ’s even a section of the campgrounds dedicated to serious , straight - cutting , and otherwise intoxicant - innocent camper . Daily encounter and more are available via aSoberoo boothin Centeroo . Bonnaroo is all about inclusivity — it ’s the heart of the festival , and has carry on with newfangled measures taken to ensure buff of all types enjoy their experience . Bonnaroo is acquaint a trans encampment experience , as well , foretell The Beyond . Formerly fuck as She - Roo , The Beyond is center on providing a space welcome to fans irrespective of their gender locution . This area will also sport a biotic community area where devotee can trip the light fantastic , loose , party , and pay heed out . Bonnaroo also offerssimilar setupsfor solo campers and families .
Centeroo Experience by Dusana Risovic for Bonnaroo
Centeroo Experience by Dusana Risovic for Bonnaroo
Courtesy Bonnaroo
Jon Batiste by Josh Brasted for Bonnaroo | Chappell Roan by Pooneh Ghana for Bonnaroo
