Gem & Jam Postpones Return to 2026, Offers Refunds or VIP Upgrades for Advance Ticketholders
Today, Nov. 4, Gem & Jam has announced that the festival will not carry on as planned for 2025, and will instead take a year off before returning in 2026. Previously set to return from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 of next year, fans of the scene-favorite music, art and gem show event were anticipating the imminent arrival of its full artist lineup. Instead, regulars will have to wait until Feb. 6-8, 2026 for Gem & Jam to return to its longtime setting of Tucson, Ariz.’s Pima County Fairgrounds, as the event becomes the latest to lose ground in an increasingly inhospitable economic climate for music festivals.
“We know how much you’ve been anticipating the 2025 lineup announcement, and we’ve been just as excited to share it with you,” Gem & Jam organizers wrote in an official statement posted to the festival’s social channels. “Unfortunately, sometimes, no matter how much heart and effort we pour into something, the stars don’t align in the way we’d hoped. That’s the position we’ve found ourselves in as we’ve worked to curate the next rendition of Gem & Jam. Rather than push forward and force something to happen, we’ve made the difficult decision to take a year off and postpone the festival in 2025. This way, we can come back stronger in 2026.
“We’ve shared such magical memories together, and we know your expectations reflect the magic we’ve all felt,” the message continues. “After tirelessly working on the lineup and things not falling into place like they usually do, it just didn’t feel right. Our goal has always been to elevate the experience year after year for our beloved community. That being said, mark your calendars for February 6-8, 2026, because we’ll be back at the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, ready to deliver something truly special.”
The dispatch goes on to detail plans in place to accommodate advance ticketholders for the event formerly planned for 2025. Fans who choose to retain their tickets will be automatically registered for the 2026 event, with the added bonus of a VIP Upgrade as a thank-you for continued support. All ticketholders will also have the option to receive a full refund by filling out the form here by Monday, Nov. 18 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Gem & Jam’s 16th annual presentation in 2024 featured performances from genre-leading acts like The Disco Biscuits, Lettuce, Of The Trees, Boogie T, LP Giobbi, Spafford, Sam Grisman Project, Daily Bread, Andy Frasco & The U.N. and more. The postponement follows a wave of crises for iconic festivals across the country, with such esteemed events as Skull & Roses, Desert Daze, Peach Music Festival, Burning Man and High Sierra Music Festival announcing financial difficulties, downsizing and outright cancellation in the past year alone.
“We love you all more than words can tell, and while we’ll miss seeing everyone in 2025, know that we are already dreaming of what’s to come,” Gem & Jam offers to close its announcement. “We’ll see you soon, and until then, keep shining that beautiful light of yours.”
