In a surprising announcement, SunFest organizers revealed that the iconic West Palm Beach music and arts festival will no longer take place during its traditional first weekend in May. After much contemplation, the festival is exploring new dates, venues, and formats for 2025 and beyond.
SunFest’s Looking for “Something New and Fresh”
SunFest has been a staple in the City of West Palm Beach since the 1980s, celebrating music, art, and local culture. However, the past few years have been challenging for the festival, with organizers reporting a loss of over $3 million. In light of these financial struggles, the nonprofit organization released the following statement, noting that SunFest is taking time to look for “something new and fresh”:
SunFest has some news regarding the traditional SunFest plan to share with our fans. Like many music/arts festivals, we’ve faced challenges and embraced change, all of which have shaped SunFest into what it is today. Looking ahead, were making a significant shift: SunFest will no longer take place on the traditional first weekend in May.
We have always strived to deliver the best experience possible to our fans. After much consideration and evaluation, we are exploring new dates for 2025, fresh venues, and formats. Our goal is to preserve all the aspects of SunFest that make it so special, continuing to support our local community while evolving to meet the future. Our mission, being a deep-rooted non-profit organization, is to continue to give back along with supporting art, local artists, and the live and local music culture. To learn more about how SunFest gives back visit SUNFEST.COM/SUNFEST-365
We are not saying SunFest is going away; just taking some time to create something new and fresh. We’re excited for what’s to come and will keep our fans updated with all the details. Thank you for your ongoing support.
Potential Collaboration with Lake Worth Beach
Following such announcement from SunFest, new details came to light regarding SunFest potentially taking over Lake Worth Beach’s Street Painting Festival in 2025. The Street Painting Festival, known for its stunning street art and vibrant atmosphere, could be managed by SunFest organizers under a contract with the City of Lake Worth Beach. This partnership would allow SunFest to expand its influence in the area, providing both an economic boost and an opportunity to test out new event formats before rolling them out on a larger scale.
The partnership with Lake Worth Beach would also include revenue-sharing agreements, with SunFest receiving a portion of drink sales and a payment for food services. This move, however, has raised some concerns. Critics point to SunFest’s recent financial losses and whether an organization with a multi-million deficit is capable of running Lake Worth Beach’s event. Nonetheless, the collaboration has the potential to bring fresh energy to the local arts scene and attract larger crowds to Lake Worth Beach, particularly given SunFest’s large database of past attendees that it could market to.
What’s Next for SunFest?
While the full details of SunFest’s new direction are still under wraps, fans can expect updates as 2025 approaches. With plans to reinvent the festival, SunFest’s organizers are committed to keeping the spirit of the event alive while adapting it to modern expectations. The shift away from May could offer new opportunities for both local businesses and festival-goers alike. In the meantime, the local arts and music scene will be watching closely as SunFest works to craft a fresh, exciting future for the beloved event.
