Intrepid's Ultimate Guide to Bonnaroo Music Festival 2022

It might not be the oldest or the biggest music festival in North America, but Bonnaroo offers a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t get anywhere else.

Whether you’re about to get a real taste of the south on our Louisville to New Orleans tour or you’ve just spent the last few days toe-tapping your way through the southern music scene, combining your Intrepid trip with a visit to the Bonnaroo Music Festival is a must for any entertainment lover. Offering the best in hip hop, jazz, country music, gospel, and electronic (among other genres), this four-day musical bonanza is guaranteed to awaken your imagination and set your senses alight with interactive art installations and mouthwatering food options.

What is Bonnaroo?

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is a four-day festival that features a ton of live music acts and performers from all genres including indie rock, classic rock, hip hop, jazz, world music, bluegrass, folk, gospel, Americana, country music, reggae, electronic, pop, and other alternative music. Not only does it offer up 150+ artists to treat your ears to, but it also features interactive art installations, imaginative activities, fun-filled campgrounds, and drool-worthy food options for what is guaranteed to be a non-stop adventure.

When is Bonnaroo?

The Bonnaroo Music Festival in 2022 is happening from 16^th – 19^th June. It’s set on 700 acres at Great Stage Park in Manchester, Tennessee, where it’s been held since its creation in 2002. The festival is usually during the summer every year and has gone ahead every year (except for 2020 & 2021) since the first production in 2002.

What’s the 2022 Bonnaroo lineup?

The lineup for Bonnaroo features over 150+ artists from a wide variety of genres. See below a small number of confirmed performers:

Flume
21 Savage
J. Cole
Gryffin
Ludacris
Teddy Swims
Machine Gun Kelly
Stevie Nicks

For the full list of performers, see here.

What do I wear to Bonnaroo?

You can expect the unexpected at Bonnaroo so your outfit should definitely reflect the craziness and wild imagination of the event itself. As with all festivals, wearing fewer clothes is usually the go (think shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, etc.) but you should always pack clothes that you can layer as temperatures do tend to drop at night. Remember to have fun with your festival outfits and go crazy on the colour.

Things to do at Bonnaroo

A musical act performing on stage in front of a crowd

Listen to music and dance the night away

Bonnaroo provides entertainment for days (literally) so get ready to party all night long at up to 10 different stages. Featuring live music performances by iconic artists such as Machine Gun Kelly, Ludacris, and Flume (among others), dance it up with your fellow Bonnaroovians as you let the sounds of your favorite songs clear your mind and fire up your soul. There are even a couple of stages with sets that run until sunrise if you’re feeling up to the challenge.

Take part in some pretty cool activities

You’d be forgiven for thinking that listening to music and dancing until your feet hurt are the only two things you can do at a music festival, but Bonnaroo treats its eventgoers to so much more than that. Whether you fancy calming yourself down with some yoga, letting out your creative side by watercolor painting, taking part in an interactive cinema event, or sweating it out at the Eighth “First Annual” 5k run, this music carnival has it all (and then some).

Sink your teeth into some tasty food

After all that dancing, you’re going to be hungry for food, and not just any old food, we’re talking about the good stuff. Thankfully, the Bonnaroo Music Festival has you covered; think tantalizingly tasty fish tacos, grass-fed beef burgers with all the fixin’s, and delectable doughnuts that’ll have you going back for seconds and then thirds. To ensure no hungry festival attendees get left behind, there are plenty of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options to choose from as well.

Marvel at impressive art installations

You’re guaranteed to forget boredom even exists when you come across Bonnaroo’s many new interactive art installations. Scattered all over the festival, these installations draw inspiration from self-discovery and human connection so be prepared to take your ‘roo experience to the next level. But that’s not all. Stop in at the marketplace or bid on an item at the Bonnaroo Works Fund Auction to fully immerse yourself within this festival’s creative culture.

Bonnaroo FAQs

How to get to Bonnaroo

If you're traveling from a neighboring state then flying into Nashville International Airport (BNA) and catching one of the shuttle buses to the festival grounds is the quickest way to get to Bonnaroo. These shuttle bus passes will ensure you have a confirmed passage to and from the festival but these tend to sell out quickly. Another option would be to rent a car from the airport and drive the 1 and a half hours to Manchester where Bonnaroo is located. Car sharing options such as Uber/Lyft don't exist in Manchester so keep that in mind when planning your transportation.

What does 'Bonnaroo' mean?

Bonnaroo is actually a French Creole slang phrase literally meaning "best on the street" but it more roughly refers to having a good time. The festival is named after New Orleans pianist and vocalist Dr. John's album, entitled "Desitively Bonnaroo", as a tribute to the rich musical culture in New Orleans.

How much does a ticket to Bonnaroo cost?

A 4-day general admission ticket starts at USD$350 and goes up on the level of ticket you want (GA+, VIP, Platinum, etc.). If you want to add on the shuttle bus tickets to and from Nashville International Airport the tickets go up a little in price. You can also book accommodation when securing your tickets with options of staying at the Hilton and Hyatt Place.

How many people visit Bonnaroo each year?

Party-lovers from all over the United States flock to Manchester for this annual celebration of music with a staggering number of 100,000 attending the festival in 2019. The number is expected to be higher this year due to the festival's 2-year long hiatus.

What to pack for Bonnaroo

There's a lot you need to think about when packing for Bonnaroo especially if you plan on staying for the full 4 days. To ensure you're fully prepared for any situation, we've put together a list of must-have items to make your 'Roo a special one:

sunscreen
hydration pack/reusable drink bottle
wallet
comfortable shoes
electronic chargers
bandana or face mask
pain reliever

Where to stay at Bonnaroo

There are a couple of accommodation options for your time in Manchester including camping on festival grounds, booking a room in a nearby hotel, or organizing an Airbnb for the duration of the festival. If you wanted to stay within the festival grounds, a daily camping ticket (with car) is going to set you back USD$70. The prices go up from there with different levels of facilities and accommodation options. Check out Bonnaroo's website for more details.

Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to join a trip in Tennessee?

Everyone traveling on an Intrepid trip must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of carriage. 

All travelers are required to produce:

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination
All children aged 5 to 17 years old must provide proof of vaccination (if eligible), proof of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test.
If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must provide a medical certificate from a medical professional.

In all cases, you must be fully inoculated. This means you must receive the full dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine and allow enough time for immunity to take effect. Each COVID-19 vaccine has different dosages and timeframes for inoculation, so please check the relevant medical advice associated with your vaccine.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy

Is Tennessee accessible for travelers with disabilities?

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.