Bonnaroo 2026 runs June 11 through 14 in Manchester, Tennessee, and this year’s lineup is stacked: Skrillex opens Thursday night, The Strokes headline Friday, RUFUS DU SOL takes Saturday, and Noah Kahan closes it out Sunday. If you’re already looking at Bonnaroo 2026 tips, this guide covers everything from what to pack and when to arrive to where to sleep when you don’t want to wake up in a swamp.
Here’s the thing about festival camping, though: “prepared for it” means sleeping in a tent in June heat, limited shower access, and campground noise that doesn’t quit until 4 a.m. on a good night. After a full day in the sun, that matters more than you think. The Getaway on Ranger Creek is approximately 40 minutes from the Bonnaroo grounds, with real beds, climate control, and a quiet 18 acres on the Cumberland Plateau. More on that below, but if you already know you want a real bed, check availability now.
The 2026 Lineup, Day by Day
Thursday starts strong with Skrillex, Four Tet, Vince Staples, and Spiritual Cramp. Friday is where the variety really hits: The Strokes and GRiZ on the main stages, plus Turnstile, Major Lazer, Wet Leg, Blood Orange, Jessie Murph, and Yungblud spread across the grounds. Saturday belongs to RUFUS DU SOL, Teddy Swims, The Neighbourhood, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Tash Sultana, and Passion Pit, with Kesha leading a late-night SuperJam. Sunday wraps it up with Noah Kahan, Kesha again, Modest Mouse, Japanese Breakfast, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, and Tedeschi Trucks Band.
There are over a hundred acts across more than ten stages. Four days of that.
What’s New on the Farm This Year
A few changes worth knowing about. Bonnaroo is offering one-day and two-day tickets for the first time, so if you can only swing a night or two, that’s now an option. The Where Stage has moved inside Centeroo for late-night sets. Camp Busyhead, created with Noah Kahan’s mental health nonprofit The Busyhead Project, offers morning yoga and self-care programming. Bonnaroo Radio is back after a long hiatus, broadcasting throwback performances, interviews, and traffic updates from the moment you hit the road. And the bandanas are returning.
On the infrastructure side, the Farm has upgraded drainage, added miles of new roadways, and laid 135 acres of new turf. If you’ve done Bonnaroo before and remember the mud, they’re working on it.
Bonnaroo 2026 Tips: What to Pack and What to Know
Mid-June in central Tennessee is hot. Expect daytime highs in the upper 80s to low 90s, with humidity to match. Here’s what actually matters:
Water and hydration. Bring a refillable water bottle and use the free refill stations. Dehydration is the number one reason people leave early or end up at the medical tent. Start hydrating days before you arrive.
Sun protection. Sunscreen, a hat with a brim, and sunglasses. Shade is limited, especially during afternoon sets. A small portable canopy for your campsite makes a real difference.
Footwear. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. Even with the drainage upgrades, rain can turn paths muddy fast. Bring a backup pair.
Layers for night. Temperatures can drop into the low 60s after midnight. A light hoodie or flannel keeps you comfortable during late sets.
Earplugs. For sleeping, not for the music. If you decide to brave the campgrounds instead of taking our advice, you’ll need them. It stays loud well past sunrise.
Cash and a portable charger. Cell service is unreliable with 80,000 people in one field. A charged phone and some cash for vendors will save you frustration.
A wagon or cart. The walk from the parking area to your campsite can be a haul. A collapsible wagon for your gear is one of those things you won’t think about until you’re carrying everything by hand in 90-degree heat.
Arriving and Getting Settled
Gates for camping typically open Wednesday, and the earlier you arrive, the closer your campsite will be to Centeroo. Thursday arrival means a longer walk for the rest of the weekend. If you’re driving from Nashville, the Farm is about 60 miles southeast on I-24. From Chattanooga, it’s roughly 90 minutes northwest.
Traffic getting in is part of the experience. Plan for delays, bring snacks, and don’t count on making it to your site quickly. Bonnaroo Radio will be broadcasting traffic updates this year, which should help.
Where to Sleep: Festival Camping vs. a Real Bed
We already made our case, but here’s the full picture. The Getaway on Ranger Creek sits on 18 acres in Coalmont, Tennessee, on the Cumberland Plateau, approximately 40 minutes from the Bonnaroo grounds in Manchester. Our FAQ covers the most common Bonnaroo logistics questions including drive times and what makes the property a good festival base. The property has a geodesic glamping dome, a Scandinavian cabin, a glamping tent with a full deck, and two additional cabins. Real beds. Climate control. A creek running through the property. No one blasting music from three campsites over at 5 a.m.
You drive back after the music, sleep in actual quiet, and head back the next day rested. It’s a different festival experience entirely.
Making the Most of Four Days
Pace yourself. This is a four-day festival, not a sprint. Eat real food (Bonnaroo’s food vendor lineup has gotten genuinely good over the years). Take breaks in the shade. See acts you’ve never heard of; the smaller stages are where some of the best moments happen.
Check the schedule ahead of time and accept that conflicts are inevitable. You can’t see everything. Pick your must-sees, leave room for discovery, and don’t spend the whole weekend staring at the app trying to optimize. If you need a break from the Farm, The Caverns is 30 minutes from the property and hosts shows in an underground cave that stays 59 degrees year-round.
Book Your Bonnaroo Base Camp
The Getaway on Ranger Creek books up fast around festival weekends. If you’re headed to Bonnaroo June 11 through 14, check availability now at thegetawayon.com. You’ll get a real bed, a real shower, and a 40-minute drive instead of a tent in a field. Your future self, stumbling back from a 1 a.m. Turnstile set, will thank you.