VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The next Something in the Water festival is planned to happen at the end of April 2025, Virginia Beach city officials tell News 3.
Something in the Water was initially set to happen this October, but it was pushed back because it "just [wasn't] ready yet," Pharrell wrote when announcing the postponement in September. He said the festival would instead take place in April.
Watch: Something in the Water date change costs Virginia Beach hospitality industry
Now, city officials are confirming that with News 3, saying the two-day festival is planned to happen on April 26 and 27.
City officials provided the following statement to us:
“We can confirm Something in the Water organizers requested April 26 & 27 as the dates for the festival. We plan to move forward with planning to ensure a safe and successful event for the community while the contract is being finalized.”
The festival was postponed the same day the festival's "locals only" sale exclusively for Virginia residents opened at the Veterans United Home Lone Amphitheater. By that point, many people had already waited in the long line at the amphitheater and purchased their festival passes.
Although Pharrell's letter said everyone would be refunded, some people who had purchased passes took to social media to share their frustrations.
Watch: Fans react after Something in the Water is abruptly postponed from October to April
"It felt like a stab in the back honestly," Alex Eslava, who was one of the first to buy their ticket last month, said.
Eslava said her wound is from finding out only hours after she bought her ticket the festival was postponed.
"You say you love the city, you have people lining up and camping and overnight for it and people coming from Newport News and Carolina and you just cancel it," Eslava said. "I mean you knew you were going to cancel it."
With the proposed dates it could mean a return to the event's original weekend.
The city still needs to enter into a contract with the festival but for many, the proposed dates are good news.
"What three or four weeks ago it was the worst news we could have had, this is the best news we can have," John Zirkle, with the Virginia Beach Hotel Association, said.
Earlier this month festival organizer, Robby Wells, outlined a short timeline to make sure next year's festival happens.
The first part was to request event dates by October 19 which the city said happened on time.
Next, the city will need to enter a contract with the festival by November 1.
After this year's postponement, solid dates are what many were looking for.
"I think it's definitely a confidence booster," Zirkle said. "It's a large-scale event we understand you can't give all the details so far in advance but you can at least get the dates out there far in advance so people can plan and such."
Those who have been to Something in the Water said they still have trust in Pharrell but what would get rid of the scar caused by this year depends on who will be on stage next year.
"The lineup better be good, that is all I expect is a great lineup, a great lineup," Eslava said.
We should know by the end of this year who is on the festival lineup and tickets should also be on sale.
Something in the Water is a key economic driver for the city as one of the biggest music festivals in the region. The 2025 festival will be the fourth Something in the Water since its inception and the third to take place in the Resort City.
Last year, Virginia Beach reported 33,000 people attended the first two days of the festival, generating between $26 and $29 million in economic impact.
The city does spend considerable money; however, they make $1.04 to $1.18 back for every dollar spent. The BEACH IT music festival, which was held a month later, had a much higher return for the city — $1.93 to $2.17 for every dollar spent.
