Phoenix music festival M3F cancels 2021 event amid COVID-19 pandemic

PHOENIX — M3F, formerly known as the McDowell Mountain Music Festival, announced on Wednesday the 2021 event has been canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The festival’s organizers said in a message on the official website that the event could not be held safely this year despite working tirelessly to explore every possible option, calling the decision extremely difficult to make.

A Valley staple for nearly two decades, M3F draws thousands during the three-day festivals with 100% of the proceeds going to charity.

More than $2.6 million has been donated since the festival’s inception, with beneficiaries including Habitat for Humanity, Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

“We strive to make a positive impact every year, and while that hasn’t changed this year, a lot of other things have,” the festival’s organizers said in the message. “We know the best way to support this community is to refrain from hosting an event.”

Festival organizers added they are planning a big comeback in 2022.

“Stay healthy, keep your heads up, and know we’ll be back in a field shouting the lyrics to our favorite songs soon,” the message read.

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