New York AG sues Evolutions Festival over unrefunded tickets

New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against the organizers of the Evolutions Festival, alleging they failed to refund over $243,000 in ticket sales following the cancellation of the 2025 event.

The electronic music festival was scheduled for September 5–7, 2025, at the Sugar Mountain Performing Arts Center in Caneadea, New York. Organizers announced the cancellation just ten days before the event was set to begin. The lawsuit claims that 521 customers purchased 1,157 tickets and passes, and that 28 small businesses paid more than $21,000 in vendor fees, none of which were voluntarily refunded by the promoters.

The legal action names Evolutions Festival LLC, 845 Vibrations LLC, and organizers Michael and Justin Brown. While some customers recovered small amounts through credit card disputes, the Attorney General alleges the organizers failed to issue a single refund directly.

A separate legal dispute exists between the festival organizers and the venue regarding the cause of the cancellation. Evolutions initially blamed the venue for failing to obtain necessary permits, while the Sugar Mountain Performing Arts Center accused the organizers of failing to provide required documentation, such as contracts and proof of liability insurance.