Organisers of the Back Cove Music and Arts Festival have confirmed the event will not take place in 2026. The Portland, Maine-based festival made its debut in August 2025, but logistical challenges have led organisers to officially postpone the next edition until August 2027.

A statement released by the team behind the festival cited the time-intensive planning process and the desire to deliver a top-tier experience as key reasons for the decision. “Because we are committed to putting on the best festival possible for the fans and the community as a whole, we’ve made the decision to forgo the 2026 calendar year,” organisers shared via social media.

The Portland City Council had previously approved a multi-year agreement allowing the festival to take place annually from 2026 to 2028, with an option to renew for an additional three years. However, the late timing of that approval created a compressed planning window that made staging the 2026 event unfeasible, according to a memo provided to the council.

The inaugural Back Cove Festival drew an estimated 12,000 attendees per day and received largely positive feedback from fans, with many praising the accessibility of the venue and the eclectic lineup. Some criticism was directed at high drink prices, which organisers have acknowledged and hope to address in future editions. The festival is now expected to return stronger in 2027, with hopes of establishing a long-term presence in Portland’s event calendar.