Isla Mujeres tourism officials deny any involvement.
Photo by Spencer Watson on Unsplash
Billy McFarland, the founder of the infamous 2017 Fyre Festival, has announced plans for a second edition, set to take place from May 30th to June 2nd, 2025, on Isla Mujeres, Mexico. However, local tourism authorities have denied any knowledge of the event, raising doubts about its legitimacy.
Edgar Gasca, Director of Tourism for Isla Mujeres, stated in a February 27th report by The Guardian that no permits have been issued, and no communication has been made with McFarland or festival organizers. “For us, this is an event that does not exist,” Gasca said, directly contradicting McFarland’s public claims that planning is well underway.
McFarland, who served nearly four years in prison for fraud linked to the failed 2017 festival, insists that this time will be different. In a video statement shared on Instagram, he maintained that Fyre Festival 2 is real and backed by experienced event organizers. He stated that “artists, athletes, and other performers are on board,” though no official lineup has been announced.
Festival organizers claim that Lostnights, a company with “nearly 20 years of experience,” is handling production and logistics. A statement from Lostnights asserts that Fyre Festival 2 has secured private venues and accommodations in collaboration with local partners, yet multiple hotels listed on the festival’s website have denied any involvement. Impression Isla Mujeres, one of the high-end resorts named as an official accommodation, told The Guardian that it had not been approached by festival organizers and was investigating the situation.
Ticket packages for the event range from $1,400 for general admission to $1.1 million for a luxury package that includes a yacht or villa. The festival website promotes a curated experience featuring “water adventures, extreme sports, leisure & wellness, [and] cultural & creative activities.”
A portion of ticket sales is reportedly earmarked for McFarland’s court-ordered restitution payments, totaling more than $26 million. In his Instagram statement, McFarland said, “Since being released [from prison] 30 months ago, I’ve made 40 payments to restitution,” adding that a percentage of the festival’s profits will go toward paying back creditors from the original Fyre Festival debacle.
Despite McFarland’s reassurances, Isla Mujeres officials maintain that no event approvals have been granted. “Any major event requires municipal authorization,” Gasca emphasized, calling the lack of communication “naïve.” As of now, no official confirmation has been made regarding venue permits, artist bookings, or festival infrastructure.
With ticket sales already underway and conflicting statements from organizers and local authorities, the fate of Fyre Festival 2 remains uncertain.
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