Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is an annual four-day music festival held in Manchester, Tennessee. The festival is known for its diverse lineup of musical acts, which has included artists from a wide range of genres, including rock, pop, hip hop, country, and electronic music. Bonnaroo is also known for its strong sense of community and its commitment to sustainability.
The festival was founded in 2002 by Superfly Presents and AC Entertainment. The first Bonnaroo was held on a farm in Manchester, Tennessee, and featured a lineup of over 100 artists, including The National, Widespread Panic, and The String Cheese Incident. The festival was a success, and it has continued to grow in size and popularity every year since.
Bonnaroo is now one of the largest music festivals in the world, with an average attendance of over 80,000 people. The festival is held on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee, and it features multiple stages, a comedy tent, a cinema tent, and a variety of other activities and attractions.
Bonnaroo has hosted some of the biggest names in music over the years, including Radiohead, Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé, Paul McCartney, and Kendrick Lamar. The festival has also been known for its memorable performances by up-and-coming artists, such as Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, and Chance the Rapper.
In addition to its music, Bonnaroo is also known for its strong sense of community. The festival is known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and it is a great place to meet new people and make new friends. Bonnaroo is also committed to sustainability, and it has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact.
If you are looking for a music festival that offers something for everyone, then Bonnaroo is the place for you. With its diverse lineup of musical acts, its strong sense of community, and its commitment to sustainability, Bonnaroo is a festival that you will never forget.
Buy your tickets to Bonnaroo today and experience the magic of the farm!
Bonnaroo Fast Facts
Founded:
2002
Developed and produced by:
Superfly Presents and AC Entertainment
Genres:
Pop, alternative rock, indie rock, hip hop, R&B, electronic, metal, funk, jazz, jam bands, Americana, country, folk, bluegrass, gospel, reggae, world
Venue Size:
700 acres
Attendance:
100,000+
Dates for 2018:
June 13-16
Address:
Great Stage Park, Manchester, Tennessee 37355
"Bonnaroo" Meaning:
“Bonnaroo” is Creole slang for “good stuff”
Bonnaroo Ratings
Yelp:
4.5
Trip Advisor:
4.5
Bonnaroo Features
Over 180 musical acts on 12 stages
The second-largest comedy festival in the U.S.
A 24-hour cinema
Delicious food vendor options for every taste and budget, including vegan options
Rides including a massive waterslide and a Ferris wheel
Car and RV camping, glamping, and campground plazas make it the largest all-camping festival in the U.S.
Hotels with direct shuttles, Nashville shuttle packages
Original, large-scale art installations displayed throughout the festival grounds, created by established and up-and-coming artists
Bonnaroo Points of Interest Map
Directions to Bonnaroo
From Nashville:
On 8th Avenue South, take the exit onto Lafayette Street at the traffic circle.
Turn right onto 4th Avenue South, continue for 0.1 miles and turn left.
After 0.3 miles, use the right lane to take the ramp onto I-40 East.
Keep right at the fork to continue on I-24 East, following the signs for Chattanooga for 62.2 miles.
Take exit 114 for US-41.
After 0.6 miles, turn left onto US-41 South/Hillsboro Boulevard.
Make another left onto Kimberly Lane after 0.6 miles and continue for another 0.5 miles.
Turn left onto Grosch Drive to arrive at Bonnaroo.
From Chattanooga:
Get on US-27 South from WML King Boulevard for 65.7 miles.
Exit onto I-24 West toward Nashville/Birmingham.
Take exit 114 to merge onto US-41 South/Hillsboro Boulevard toward Manchester.
After 1.4 miles, merge onto US-41 South/Hillsboro Boulevard.
Continue for 0.6 miles and turn left onto Kimberly Lane.
After 0.5 miles, turn left onto Grosch Drive to arrive at Bonnaroo.
From Knoxville:
Head northwest on Henley Street toward Cumberland Avenue.
Use the right 2 lanes to take the ramp to Nashville/Lexington for 19.5 miles.
Merge onto I-40 West and keep right at the fork to stay on I-40 West.
Follow the signs for Nashville for 50.2 miles.
Take exit 317 for US-27 toward Crossville/Jamestown.
After 1.2 miles, turn left onto US-27 South/North Main Street and turn right onto Northside Drive.
After 23.8 miles, turn right onto US-70 West.
Use the left 2 lanes to take the U.S. 70S West ramp to McMinnville and continue onto US-70S West for 18 miles.
For 30.5 miles, turn right onto US-41 North.
Continue on Kimberly Lane Drive to Grosch Drive for 1 mile to arrive at Bonnaroo.
From Atlanta:
Head north on Capitol Ave SW and turn right onto MLK Jr. Drive SE.
After 0.2 miles, turn left onto the I-75 North/I-85 North ramp.
Keep right at the fork to continue on I-75 North and follow signs for Marietta Chattanooga for 18 miles.
Keep left at the fork and stay on I-75 North for 87.3 miles.
Take exit 2 for I-24 West toward Chattanooga/Nashville for 0.5 miles.
Continue onto I-24 West for 5.7 miles.
Stay on I-24 West and follow the signs for I-24 West/I-59/Nashville/Birmingham.
After 64.4 miles, take exit 114 to merge onto US-41 South/Hillsboro Boulevard toward Manchester.
Take Kimberly Lane to Grosch Drive for 1.4 miles to arrive at Bonnaroo.
Bonnaroo Insider Tips
Bonnaroo Parking Map
Bonnaroo Parking
If you plan on driving to Bonnaroo, make sure you have a day parking or car camping pass! Whether you’re riding in a car, truck, SUV or minivan, you won’t be allowed through the Tollbooth without paying for one of these passes.
Car camping passes are $59.95 (plus fees) per car, and if you buy 4 GA tickets at once, you get 1 car camping pass free!
Day parking passes are for those who do not plan on camping and are $39.75 per car. They’re good from when the gates open at 8 a.m. on Thursday until the end of the festival.
If you’re riding in an RV, make sure you purchase the RV camping pass for $250. Power pass upgrades are available for the convenience of power hookups at your RV spot.
We suggest you arrive early to beat the traffic of entering the festival grounds. If you can’t, arriving at the end of the first day will save you the most time from waiting in traffic. Have plenty of gas in your tank as car lines can sometimes take several hours depending on when you arrive.
If you’re not sure of where to go, there will be directional signs and personnel to help guide you.
Each vehicle will be searched thoroughly so be sure to plan accordingly.
Other Ways To Get To Bonnaroo
Bonnaroo offers buses and ride shares from several locations across the Southeast and Midwest for your convenience. There’s also a carpooling option for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint and make new friends along the way!
If you’re flying in, you can take the Bonnaroo Airport Shuttle from the Nashville Airport (BNA) to the festival and back. The ride is about 75 minutes and passengers are taken to a convenient drop-off and pick-up location with direct access to the Bonnaroo entrance. The shuttles run throughout the day from Thursday through Monday, excluding Sunday.
If you’re coming from Nashville, you might want to take a look at the Nashville shuttle and ticket packages offered by Bonnaroo in partnership with the city. This is a daily round-trip shuttle program that offers GA, VIP Weekend and single-day packages. It departs twice a day from Nashville and twice a day back from Bonnaroo.
There are also separate hotel shuttle packages if you plan on staying at the Courtyard by Marriott in Nashville or the Hilton Garden Inn Murfreesboro, Tennessee. All packages are from Thursday, June 7 to Monday, June 11.
Bonnaroo Security
Security at Bonnaroo has been reported to be very helpful and successful in ensuring guests feel safe. Each Plaza has a security station that is open 24 hours, and mounted security patrols roam the campground areas at all times to be of assistance.
Along with all vehicles being searched at the Tollbooths, all festivalgoers will be searched each time they enter Centeroo or the Main Venue to see the acts.
Bonnaroo Prohibited Items:
Illegal substances
Weapons
Fireworks, drones, laser pointers, glowsticks
Gasoline, charcoal, propane unless you have a generator or grill
Professional photographic equipment
Pets
Bicycles, scooters, motorized vehicles
Food or beverages are allowed on the campgrounds, not Centeroo or mainstage area
Bonnaroo Camping
The General Admission Campgrounds open at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday and close at 3:00 p.m. Monday. Since the campgrounds are so big, Bonnaroo has divided them into sections by streets (east-west) and avenues (north-south), like a mini city. This layout will help you find your way to your campsite.
Each camping spot is 20’ x 20’ and you set up your tents directly beside your vehicle. Note that once you park your car, it will be difficult to move it, so don’t do so unless you must! Re-entry is allowed during the event but only under certain circumstances and through a designated area.
Be aware that the camping area is a 20-30-minute walk from the action (Centeroo and the Main Venue) due to the sheer size of the venue.
There are convenient PODs (community information and service centers) located throughout the campgrounds. These centers are staffed 24/7 and include an information booth, community message board, medical tent, security station, toilets, and hand-washing stations.
Riding with a large squad? Bonnaroo also offers a limited number of "Groop Camping" packages for groups of 24 people or more to book in advance! This way, you can ensure that you are camping with all of your friends and not have to worry about arriving together.
If you want to be close to the Main Stages and Centeroo, consider tent-only camping. As the name implies, only those with a tent can camp here; no vehicles are allowed. Spots are limited and are first-come, first-serve, so get there early!
Bonnaroo also offers Le Bon Tents, a hassle-free option for those who would rather camp in style. These tents are pitched and ready to go, including furniture and souvenirs. Comfort tents include electricity and can house 2 to 4 people. VIP and Platinum Le Bon tents are the ultimate luxury tent experience. Le Bon Cabanas are Bonnaroo’s glamping option, fitted with two beds, bedding, a cooling unit, lawn chairs, and more!
There is also a designated Family Camping area for children of all ages and expectant families. You don’t need a special ticket to camp here; just ask for this section at the Tollbooth and you’re good to go.
Make sure you check out the campground plazas! These public places are located throughout the campgrounds to promote togetherness. The plazas offer free Wi-Fi, karaoke, showers, celebrity surprises, late night parties, art, and several fun activities.
We suggest you pack light and be sure you bring the essentials:
Portable charger, fan, speaker, lamp
Water bottles, Pedialyte, juices
Nonperishables such as protein bars
Cleansing wipes/makeup remover
Dry shampoo, hair gel, brush
Tent, sleeping bag, canopy
Foldable chair
Portable grill
Cooler and ice
Bug spray, sunscreen
Airy clothes, comfortable shoes, hats, sunglasses (average high is 81 degrees)
Bandana to cover your mouth and nose from the dust
Picnic blankets
Battery-powered flashlight
Hammock
Fanny packs, backpacks
Towels, napkins, toilet paper
It can be tricky to figure out where your camp is located, especially since the camping grounds are so spacious. We recommend using your phone to drop a pin for your camp’s location. You can also bring a distinguishable flag to put up at your camp so that you can easily find it.
Bonnaroo Food & Concessions
Festivalgoers have reported that food at Bonnaroo is delicious, with many options a short distance from everywhere. However, some of the food can be overpriced. If you’re on a budget, we recommend packing food to cook at your camp in order to save money.
Make sure you stay hydrated and keep your belly full, as this festival tends to get very hot and requires a lot of activity throughout the day.
The Bonnaroo Experience
Most visitors to Bonnaroo have reported it to be an overall positive experience and that they would go again. The peaceful energy and positivity that radiates throughout the festival grounds is contagious. Everyone is very friendly, making it a great place to make new friends and form great memories.
High fives are a thing at Bonnaroo and you'll be doing it a lot!
The only complaints have come from the production of the smaller stages, which had inferior sound quality that made it more difficult to hear the artists from afar. The large LED screens projected vivid visuals that could be seen from any point.
10 Closest Hotels Near Bonnaroo
Royal Inn
224 Expressway Dr, Manchester, TN 37355-7378
0.7 miles
Red Roof Inn & Suites
126 Expressway Dr, Manchester, TN 37355-7378
0.7 miles
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Manchester
201 Expressway Dr, I-24 and TN-41/Hillsboro Blvd., Manchester, TN 37355-7524
0.8 miles
Comfort Suites
152 Hospitality Blvd, Manchester, TN 37355
0.8 miles
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Manchester-Conf Ctr (Tullahoma)
111 Hospitality Blvd, Manchester, TN 37355
0.8 miles
Rodeway Inn & Suites Manchester
2259 Hillsboro Blvd, Manchester, TN 37355-7311
0.8 miles
Scottish Inns Manchester
2457 Hillsboro Blvd, Manchester, TN 37355-6536
0.9 miles
Quality Inn
2314 Hillsboro Blvd, Manchester, TN 37355-6535
1.0 miles
Motel 6 Manchester
2430 Hillsboro Blvd, I-24 & Highway 41, exit 114, Manchester, TN 37355-6535
1.0 miles
Sleep Inn & Suites
84 Relco Dr, Manchester, TN 37355-7556
1.0 miles
