Jay-Z’s annual Made in America festival, held in Philadelphia over Labor Day weekend, has been canceled for the second year in a row. The festival announced the cancellation on social media and its official website Wednesday. A specific reason was not outlined, and a representative for Made in America referred questions back to the statement.
As purveyors of change, the Made In America executive production team is reimagining a live music experience that affirms their love and dedication to music and the work they do. They promise an exciting return to the festival without providing a timeline for its return. A lineup had not yet been announced.
Since its inception, this groundbreaking festival has celebrated music and community, creating a space for fans to connect, uplifting local small businesses, and shining a light on important causes. It has strived for accessibility, eliminating barriers through affordable tickets and location, as stated in Wednesday's announcement.
In August 2023, a month before the festival was scheduled to take place on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway with Lizzo and SZA as headliners, Made in America announced the cancellation due to severe circumstances outside of production control. The decision was described as difficult and made after immense deliberation. The organizers expressed their anticipation for a return the following year.
When the festival was abruptly canceled last year, then-Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney expressed disappointment but looked forward to bringing Made in America back and bigger than ever to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway the next year. A spokesperson for Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker did not immediately comment on this year's cancellation.
The festival, which began in 2012, had been held every year since except for 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. The Made in America festival has been a significant event celebrating music and community, and fans will have to wait for its return in the future.
