El Dorado Festival, scheduled to take place from July 11th to 14th, 2024, at Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire, has announced its cancellation. The festival organisers cited the dramatic rise in operational costs and the increased cost of living impacting the festival industry and their community as the primary reasons for this decision.

In an official statement, the organisers expressed their heartbreak over the cancellation. They highlighted the financial challenges they faced, stating that despite their best efforts, they were unable to avoid potential catastrophic losses. The decision was made to prevent delivering a compromised festival experience that would not meet the high expectations of El Dorado attendees.

The statement also touched on the broader struggles within the festival sector, noting the lack of government support and the numerous independent festivals facing similar fates. Many festivals have announced their final years, reduced capacities, or been forced into cancellations due to financial constraints.

El Dorado Festival, started by a small independent collective in 2016, has grown into a beloved community event. The organizers expressed pride in the community it has fostered, where friendships have formed, and new ideas have flourished. They remain determined to find a way forward for future editions if possible.

All 2024 weekend camping tickets, day tickets, Big Green Coach passes, and boutique packages will be refunded automatically. Car park passes, shuttle bus passes, and live-in vehicle passes will be refunded separately by the end of July. Additional steps may be required for tickets purchased through Klarna, with full details available on the festival’s website.

The El Dorado team expressed gratitude for the support over the years and urged patience and understanding during the refund process.