Courtesy Punk in the Park
Audio By Carbonatix
Punk in the Park is taking an unexpected year off, as the traveling rock festival announced the cancellation of all 2026 events over the weekend, alluding to the continued fallout over the organizer’s recently exposed political leanings, particularly financially supporting Trump’s second presidential campaign, as the main reason for the decision.
“These shows were something we truly believed in, and we know how much they meant to many of you,” starts the social media statement posted on February 27. “Unfortunately, the current climate surrounding the events has created challenges that make it impossible for us to move forward in a way that delivers the experience our fans, artists and partners deserve.
“This is incredibly disappointing for everyone involved. Our has always been to bring people together through music, community and shared passion,” it continues. “And it’s painful when circumstances prevent that from happening.”
Boulder-born punk legend Jello Biafra added to the fray leading up to the announcement, criticizing the decision of Dead Kennedys, his former band, to still play the Pittsburgh and Vallejo, California, dates this year after the revelation that Cameron Collins, owner of the event’s parent company Brew Ha Ha Productions, had supported Trump — even though the band said it wouldn’t team up with Punk in the Park after the event.
“They’re taking the money $$$, and THEN pulling out? The real Dead Kennedys would never have let this happen in the first place,” Biafra, who served as vocalist and face of the band from 1979 to 1986, said in a statement to Stereogum on February 24. “One more sordid reason I don’t ever want to play with them again.”
Dead Kennedys explained its reasoning in a since-deleted February 24 Instagram post.
“We’ve become aware that the owner of Brew Ha Ha Productions, the company behind Punk In The Park, made financial contributions in support of the Trump administration,” the band wrote, as reported by Stereogum.
“Our first reaction was to cancel our upcoming appearances,” it continued. “However, we do not feel it would be fair to our supporters who have already purchased tickets & made plans to attend these shows. Dead Kennedys have always stood firmly against authoritarianism, racism, and fascism. That has not changed. After these scheduled appearances, we will not be participating in future Punk In The Park events.”
But now no one has to worry about being guilty by association. In addition to shows in Pittsburgh and Vallejo, Orlando is the other 2026 date being axed; all 2026 ticketholders are being fully refunded.
The fest’s right-wing connection came to light shortly before last summer’s Denver date, when it was discovered that Collins donated $250 to Trump’s 2024 run on May 30, 2024, according to FEC records summarized by OpenSecret. An additional $104.10 was earmarked for the Trump National Committee JFC, Inc. on August 2, 2024, while $524.29 more went to other Republican causes – WinRed and Never Surrender, Inc. – during the year, as shown by public individual contributions listed for Collins and Brew Ha Ha Productions on the FEC website.
At the time, a local petition called for a boycott of the Denver date, while bands Destiny Bond and Time X Heist dropped off the lineup. Then, headliner Dropkick Murphys really dropped the mic during its July 20 set at the National Western Stockyards, vowing to never make another Punk in the Park appearance. Though the fest regularly stops in Colorado, there were no publicly announced plans for another visit in 2026.
“Let’s make this one special because this will be the final Punk in the Park performance ever for the Dropkick Murphys, so let’s make it a good one, shall we?” outspoken vocalist Ken Casey said.
“America’s a free country, allegedly; you’re free to vote and do as you wish,” he added. “But if you’re American and you’re coming under the punk-rock banner and you’re voting for that fuckin’ guy and supporting the shit that they’re doing, you’ve twisted your mind into knots. The far right ain’t the new punk. You heard it here first.”
Collins subsequently released a statement via Punk in the Park socials clarifying his political views. But the recent decision proves it’s not that easy to sweep past political support under the rug, and the fest’s future is now up in the air.
“We hope this is not the end of Punk in the Park,” the recent statement concludes, “but rather a pause while we regroup and look toward the future.”
