The Columbus Indiana Philharmonic said it has made the difficult decision to cancel Bourbonfest 2025 and officially retire all future Bourbonfest events.
The decision to cancel what would have been the ninth annual Bourbonfest comes from a lack of vendors and challenges across the bourbon industry, including vendor availability and staffing shortages, according to organizers.
“We know this news is as heartbreaking to many of you as it is to us,” organizers said in a press release. “Bourbonfest was never just about bourbon, it was a celebration of community, music and purpose.”
Bourbonfest 2025 was initially scheduled to be held in February, but due to unforeseen changes with a third-party company they worked with to secure premier bourbon vendors, the Bourbonfest Committee made the decision to postpone the event to September. The event was scheduled to be held Sept. 20.
“The Bourbonfest Committee has really tried for the last six months, ever since we had to reschedule to bring to plan and we just kept hitting brick wall after brick wall,” CIP Executive Director Donnie Robinette said. ”We still had 13, 14 vendors that were willing to come out, but since we’ve had such a high value event that had more vendors than that or more products than that, we just didn’t feel it was fair.”
Proceeds from previous Bourbonfest events went to supporting the Philharmonic’s Youth Music Education Programs, which helped young musicians discover their passion and potential. Even as Bourbonfest comes to a close, that mission will still continue, organizers said. Robinette said they are exploring different fundraisers and programs to help finance their education programming.
Options are being offered for those who have already purchased tickets. VIP Ticket Holders can choose to convert their ticket purchase into a donation supporting youth music education, request a full refund or receive a special gift bottle of West Fork Whiskey Barrel Select, created exclusively for Bourbonfest supporters, and a choice of two complimentary tickets to any Philharmonic concert or Cabaret in the 2025-2026 season or a partial refund of $20 in lieu of tickets.
General Admission Ticket Holders can choose to receive a gift bottle of West Fork Whiskey Barrel Select, to convert their ticket to a donation supporting youth music education or request a full refund. Designated Driver Ticket Holders can choose to convert their ticket to a donation supporting youth music education or request a full refund.
Ticket holders should contact the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic Box Office at 812-376-2638 Ext. 1 or through email at tickets@thecip.org. Ticket holders should indicate the purchaser’s name and contact information.
