Blankets & Wine Cancels June Edition in Solidarity with Kenyans Amid National Unrest

Popular music, art, and culture festival Blankets & Wine has officially cancelled its highly anticipated June 2025 edition in Nairobi, citing concerns over ongoing national unrest and the expected mass protests scheduled for June 25th.

In a statement released to the public, the organizers said the decision to cancel the June 29th event was not taken lightly.

After “deep consultations with our security teams and partners,” the team concluded that the current situation presents a “volatile and high-risk” environment, particularly for their crew and festival-goers.

“Our work is creating and holding space for joy,” the statement read. “And while we had planned an exciting experience this June, given the size and scale of our production, we believe it is imperative to prioritize security for our community while also standing in solidarity with fellow Kenyans.”

The cancellation comes amidst growing nationwide discontent and planned demonstrations, with fears over potential clashes and the safety of public gatherings escalating across the country.

The festival organizers emphasized their solidarity with the people of Kenya, expressing empathy for the challenging times while acknowledging the disappointment this news may bring to fans and ticket holders.

“We acknowledge your disappointment and deeply apologize for all the inconvenience caused. Truly, we are sorry.”

Refund Process Announced

All ticket holders for the June edition will receive full refunds, while season ticket holders will be issued proportional refunds for the June portion. The organizers committed to processing these refunds within 14 working days via the original payment methods.

For queries, they have directed the public to reach out via their official email: info@goodtimesafrica.com.

Despite the current setback, Blankets & Wine remains hopeful and is looking forward to bouncing back with epic editions of the festival in September, both in Bradford and Nairobi.

“Take care of each other in the coming days and hopefully, see you all in September,” the statement concluded.