Pharrell’s “Something In The Water” Festival Canceled In Virginia Beach After Failed Agreement

Pharrell Williams

Pharrell’s “Something In The Water” Festival Canceled In Virginia Beach After Failed Agreement

Pharrell Williams’ “Something in the Water” festival in Virginia Beach has been officially terminated, following a failure to meet the city’s “cure notice requirements” within the allotted five-day deadline.

The city announced that the festival will no longer take place in its hometown, despite its positive impact in previous years. While Virginia Beach acknowledged the festival’s significance, it was clear that next steps were not finalized by the organizers in time.

 

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Pharrell’s vision for the event was deeply personal, starting in 2019 as a cultural celebration in his birthplace. However, the festival was affected by multiple setbacks, including the tragic death of his cousin, Donovon Lynch, and the pandemic.

The aftermath led Pharrell to criticize the city’s leadership, calling it “toxic” and pushing for a federal investigation into Lynch’s death. After briefly returning in 2022 and 2023, the 2025 event remains uncertain, leaving fans wondering where it will go next.