Four days in a Tennessee field — the original American camping festival.
Bonnaroo is the blueprint. It invented the modern American festival experience and still does it better than most. The sound and production are elite — This Tent is one of the great festival stages in the world. The heat and the walk between stages are the biggest knocks, and the grounds can feel punishing by day three in a Tennessee summer. But the community is real, the lineup is consistently adventurous, and there's nothing quite like a Bonnaroo sunrise set.
01Stages & Lineup
10+ stages across Centeroo. Bonnaroo programs music around the clock — more than any single person can see in four days.
What Stage
The main outdoor headliner stage. Skrillex (Thursday), The Strokes (Friday), RÜFÜS DU SOL (Saturday), Noah Kahan (Sunday). This is where the big moments happen — 80,000 people under open sky.
Which Stage
The second headliner stage. Key 2026 acts: GRiZ, Turnstile, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Major Lazer, Alabama Shakes, Clipse. Often has the best mid-afternoon sets of the day.
This Tent
Mid-size tent for emerging and buzzy acts. Japanese Breakfast, Wet Leg, and Blood Orange play here in 2026. The energy inside This Tent is electric — smaller crowd, closer proximity.
That Tent
The other mid-size tent. Four Tet, Vince Staples, and Modest Mouse play here in 2026. That Tent has historically been where the late-afternoon discoveries happen.
The Other Tent
Intimate stage for smaller acts and deep cuts. This is where you discover the artist you've never heard of who becomes your favourite of the weekend.
Where in the Woods UFO Stage
NEW IN 2026: The Where in the Woods UFO Stage moves directly into Centeroo for the first time. Runs all-night late-night sets Friday and Saturday. This changes the Bonnaroo late-night game entirely.
Bonnaroo SuperJam
Saturday night tradition. An all-star surprise lineup led by a headliner — Kesha leads the 2026 SuperJam. One of the most chaotic and fun traditions at Bonnaroo. You never know who's going to walk out.
02After Hours & Late Night
Bonnaroo runs music around the clock — literally. This is not a festival that ends at midnight.
Morning Magic
Sunrise sets happen every morning as the sun comes up over the Farm. INZO and Gorgon City both have sunrise sets in 2026. There's nothing quite like watching the sun rise while music is still playing.
- Genre:
- Sunrise Sets
Where in the Woods UFO Stage All-Night
The Where in the Woods UFO Stage runs all-night sets Friday and Saturday — new for 2026. Ganja White Night, Chase & Status, and Osees are among the late-night headliners. Centeroo shows go past midnight every night.
- Genre:
- Late Night Centeroo
Weird Al's Bigger & Weirder
"Weird Al" Yankovic's special late-night Saturday set — called "Bigger & Weirder." This is going to be one of the most talked-about sets of the weekend.
- Genre:
- Sherpa Essential
Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist
Late-night hip-hop highlight. Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist together is a rare pairing — don't sleep on this one.
- Genre:
- Late Night
Plaza Parties
Every campground plaza runs its own parties after Centeroo closes. Silent discos, DJ sets, community stages — the Outeroo scene is half the festival.
- Genre:
- Outeroo
If you plan to do late nights, nap in the afternoon — there's shade and trees near the stages for exactly this. This is a four-day marathon, not a sprint.
03Getting There
700-acre Bonnaroo Farm, 60 miles southeast of Nashville in Manchester, TN.
✈️ Fly into Nashville
Nashville International Airport (BNA) is the closest major airport — about 1 hour drive to the Farm. I-24 East is your route.
🚗 Driving & Parking
Once you park your car on the Farm, it stays there until you leave — you cannot move it. Stock your car with everything you need before you pull in.
🛒 Supplies
The Walmart in Manchester runs low on supplies fast, especially ice, water, and camping gear by the second day. Bring more than you think you need.
04Food & Drink
Bonnaroo has a solid food vendor lineup with local Tennessee spots and festival staples. Budget $15-20 per meal inside Centeroo.
Spicy Pie
Multiple locations in Centeroo and Outeroo, open late. This is THE Bonnaroo food. Giant slices, cheap, available at 3am when nothing else is. If you go to Bonnaroo and don't eat Spicy Pie, did you even go?
Campground Food Stands
Pizza, gyros, hotdogs, and vegetarian options run by local vendors. Available in the campground plazas so you don't have to walk to Centeroo for every meal.
Centeroo Vendors
Solid lineup of food vendors inside Centeroo. Local Tennessee spots mixed with festival favourites. Food quality has improved significantly in recent years.
Food and glow sticks are not allowed inside Centeroo, but small snacks like protein bars and nuts are fine. Eat at your campsite before entering Centeroo to save money and time.
05Camping & Logistics
Two ticket purchases required: a Centeroo ticket (entry to the festival) and an Outeroo accommodation (your campsite).
Accommodation Tiers
- Primitive car camping — standard 20x20 spot for your gear and car
- Glamping — pre-pitched tents with cots and bedding
- Darkroom tents — air-conditioned (worth every penny)
- RV camping — bring your own or rent one
- GA+ and VIP camping — closest to Centeroo entrance
Campsite Essentials
- Shade canopy — non-negotiable, your tent becomes a sauna at sunrise
- Portable fan (battery-powered)
- Flag or totem for your campsite — everything looks the same at 2am
- Duct tape and zip ties — fix everything
- Flashlight (not your phone — save your battery)
- More water and ice than you think you need
- Ziploc bags in every size — dust and rain protection
Weather Prep
- Tennessee in June: 90°F+ days, 60°F nights
- Layers — you'll sweat at 7pm and need a hoodie by 10pm
- Rain plan — weather can turn fast, have a tarp ready
- Sunscreen every day, no exceptions
- Electrolyte packets — not just water
Don't rely on the Manchester Walmart for anything essential. Don't bring glass containers (not allowed). Don't skip the shade canopy — it's the single most important piece of gear after your ticket.
06Sherpa Strategy
- 6:00 AMSunrise
Your tent is already a sauna. Get up, hydrate, eat at your campsite. If a sunrise set is running, walk over — there's nothing like it.
- 10:00 AMMorning Routine
Shower ($5-10 at the plaza facilities), restock ice, check the schedule. The campground grocery shuttle runs in the morning if you need supplies.
- 12:00 PMEnter Centeroo
Head in for early afternoon sets. Hit the merch tent first if it's your first day — popular sizes sell out by Saturday. Send a postcard from the Bonnaroo Post Office (open three days a year only).
- 2:00 PMDiscovery Hour
Camp at a small stage — This Tent, That Tent, or The Other. The 2-4pm window at small stages is where you discover artists who become lifelong favourites.
- 4:00 PMNap Window
If you're planning a late night, this is your nap window. Find shade near the stages and rest. The marathon is just getting started.
- 6:00 PMPrime Time
The big sets start rolling. Which Stage and What Stage alternate so you can catch both. Eat dinner off-peak now while lines are short.
- 9:00 PMHeadliner
What Stage headliner time. Position yourself mid-field for the best sound. The energy at a Bonnaroo headliner is unlike anything else in live music.
- 11:00 PMLate Night Begins
SuperJam on Saturday. Where in the Woods UFO Stage all-night sets. Sunrise sets start being announced. This is when Bonnaroo becomes Bonnaroo.
65 artists announced