Fyre Festival II Confirmed for Playa del Carmen

Billy McFarland, the convicted fraudster behind the infamous 2017 Fyre Festival debacle, is attempting a comeback with Fyre Festival II, now slated for Playa del Carmen. This announcement comes after a failed attempt to host the event in Isla Mujeres, raising significant concerns about its legitimacy and McFarland’s intentions.​

During a virtual press conference on Thursday, McFarland and his team shared details about the upcoming festival. Despite the controversy surrounding the inaugural event, McFarland assured that he is collaborating with professionals to ensure this festival is a “memorable experience”.

McFarland confirmed that all necessary permits have been obtained from local authorities. Raúl Tassinari, Playa del Carmen’s Secretary of Citizen Security, who was present at the conference, assured that the safety of festival-goers is a priority.

Local entrepreneur Diego Rodríguez highlighted the strategic location of Playa del Carmen for hosting such large-scale events. With proximity to three international airports (Cancun, Cozumel, and Tulum), Rodríguez believes this event will significantly boost the city’s global profile.

The festival’s logistics team emphasized the city’s appeal for large events and investments, citing excellent infrastructure, communication networks, and ample accommodation for the expected crowd. They noted that the city can comfortably host not only the anticipated 2,000 to 3,000 festival attendees but can accommodate up to 50,000 to 60,000 people.

The lineup of artists for the festival is said to be announced next week. The newly imagined event will take place at beach clubs such as Martina and Coralina in Playa del Carmen, and arrangements are being made with local hotels for attendee accommodations.

A Troubling Shift in Plans

Initially, McFarland promoted Fyre Festival II as a lavish music event to be held on a “private island” near Isla Mujeres from May 30 to June 2, 2025. Tickets ranged from $1,400 for a basic single-person pass to an astonishing $1.1 million for an eight-person package promising exclusive perks.

Despite these grandiose claims, local authorities in Isla Mujeres reported that no permits had been requested or approved for such an event. The Isla Mujeres City Council stated unequivocally that neither McFarland nor any associated entity had sought the necessary permissions from the Tourism Directorate or other municipal agencies. ​

Unfulfilled Promises and Community Skepticism

McFarland’s assertions about the festival’s scale and offerings were met with widespread skepticism. He claimed to have sold 100 tickets at $500 each and projected attendance of up to 3,000 people. However, no specific artists or activities were announced, and local businesses, including hotels purportedly involved, denied any knowledge or participation in the event. This lack of transparency and coordination led many to label Fyre Festival II as a potential scam, reminiscent of the original festival’s disastrous outcome. ​

A Cautionary Tale for Potential Attendees

The abrupt relocation of Fyre Festival II to Playa del Carmen does little to assuage concerns. McFarland’s history of fraudulent activities, including his 2018 conviction and subsequent imprisonment, casts a long shadow over this endeavor. Potential attendees should exercise extreme caution, thoroughly research the event, and remain vigilant for red flags indicative of another possible deception.​

The original Fyre Festival serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked ambition and deceit in event planning. As Fyre Festival II’s new dates approach, skepticism remains high, and the burden of proof lies squarely on McFarland to demonstrate that this iteration will not repeat past mistakes.​