20 Times Rain Ruined Major Events—And People Still Talk About It
These rainy day disasters turned unforgettable moments into legendary stories.
- Daisy Montero
- 5 min read
Rain has a way of crashing the biggest plans in the most dramatic fashion. Over the years, one of the most talked-about concerts, weddings, sports games, and public events were soaked and sometimes sabotaged by surprise storms. However, instead of fading away, these wet mishaps became iconic tales people still love to retell. Here are 20 moments where rain completely took over and no one has forgotten since.
1. Woodstock’s Mud-Covered
Jacek Karczmarczyk on Wikimedia Commons
The iconic 1969 festival became just as famous for its rain-soaked, mud-filled madness as its music. Attendees danced barefoot in the sludge, turning the event into a muddy memory no one could forget. The rain didn’t stop the show—it made it unforgettable.
2. Princess Diana’s Wedding Parade Drenched
Phil Evenden on Pexels
Crowds waited hours in the drizzle to witness the royal wedding of the decade in 1981. Umbrellas filled the streets, and though the bride stayed dry, the public was soaked. Still, millions remember the rain as part of the magic.
3. Glastonbury’s Legendary Swamp
Shermozle June 28, 2005 06:36 (UTC) on Wikimedia Commons
The UK music festival is no stranger to showers, but in 2005, a downpour turned the entire site into a swamp. Tents floated, boots sunk, and mud fights became part of Glasto lore. Even the artists slipped onstage.
4. 2011 U.S. Open Delayed by Days of Rain
Madeleine Ball on Wikimedia Commons
Fans waited and waited at Flushing Meadows as rain disrupted the U.S. Open for three days. Players vented frustrations, and soggy courts kept emptying out, leading to scheduling changes in future years.
5. Obama’s 2009 Inauguration Rain
Master Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo on Wikimedia Commons
As millions gathered for President Obama’s historic first inauguration, gray skies opened up. The weather couldn’t stop the celebration, leaving everyone soaked and shivering. Ponchos became the day’s most popular accessory.
6. A Rain-Soaked Super Bowl Halftime Show
Lorie Shaull on Wikimedia Commons
During the Super Bowl XLI in 2007, Prince performed in a full-on rainstorm. Instead of pulling back, he leaned in and made it epic, playing “Purple Rain” while soaked from head to toe. That moment became halftime show history.
7. Wimbledon’s Never-Ending Rain Delay
Clavecin on Wikimedia Commons
Before the roof was added, Wimbledon was notorious for rain interruptions. One match in 2007 stretched over five days because of constant downpours. Fans waited, and players stayed on edge the entire time.
8. Taylor Swift’s Rain Show in Foxborough
Mealtedheadaches on Wikimedia Commons
Instead of canceling, Taylor embraced the storm during her 2011 concert in Massachusetts. She danced through the rain while fans screamed and got soaked, and the night became a cherished memory for Swifties.
9. The Rainy Red Carpet at Cannes
Johnny Dalla Libera, Photographer, SGP srl on Wikimedia Commons
In 2018, guests at the Cannes Film Festival had to dodge puddles and umbrellas as rain poured on the red carpet. Glamorous gowns and tuxedos took a hit, but the drama only added to the spectacle.
10. Pope Francis’s Outdoor Mass Washed Out
JinJian on Wikimedia Commons
A massive crowd gathered in Manila in 2015 for an outdoor mass led by Pope Francis. Heavy rain started falling, but no one left. The Pope continued, soaked and smiling, while the faithful stood strong beside him.
11. New Year’s Eve in Times Square Turned into a Soaking
Anthony Quintano on Wikimedia Commons
The 2018 New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square was drenched from start to finish. People stood in the cold rain for hours without umbrellas. Everyone was wet, but the ball still dropped in style.
12. The F1 Malaysian Grand Pix Downpur
Jonathan Borba on Pexels
In 2009, rain flooded the track so badly that the race had to be stopped early. Drivers could barely see, and water splashed over the tires like waves. Fans were left with half a race and a wild story.
13. Adele’s Rainy Hyde Park Concert
Lady Lotus on Wikimedia Commons
Adele fans toughed it out during her 2022 performance in London’s Hyde Park. The rain started before she hit the stage and kept pouring all night. Soaked or not, people called it one of her best shows.
14. Rain Forced the 2012 Democratic National Convention Indoors
Steve Bott on Wikimedia Commons
The final night was supposed to be held in a massive stadium, but a last-minute rain forecast moved it inside. Thousands of ticketholders were left out, and the event became a logistical mess and a headline magnet.
15. The Kentucky Derby’s Slippery Track
The National Guard on Wikimedia Commons
In 2018, Churchill Downs saw one of the wettest Derby days ever. Horses and jockeys splashed through the mud, barely visible by the finish. The conditions made it one of the wildest races to watch.
16. Firefly Music Festival Shut Down by Storms
FireflyMusicFestival on Wikimedia Commons
In 2015, thousands of attendees at the Firefly Festival in Delaware were evacuated after storms rolled in. Performances were canceled, and campsites flooded overnight. Fans who stuck it out still call it the muddiest weekend of their lives.
17. The Boston Marathon’s Cold and Rainy Battle
Gr5555 on Wikimedia Commons
Runners in the 2018 Boston Marathon faced freezing rain and whipping winds for the entire race. Hypothermia cases spiked, and elite athletes dropped out. Finishing that year felt more like surviving.
18. Michael Jackson’s Munich Stage Collapse in the Rain
MJJ-777 on Wikimedia Commons
In 1999, rain poured during MJ’s concert in Munich as he performed on a mechanical bridge. The structure collapsed mid-show, but he kept performing. Fans still talk about how he powered through the chaos.
19. Lollapalooza Canceled Mid-set
Shane Hirschman on Wikimedia Commons
A sudden storm in 2012 shut down Lollapalooza in Chicago mid-performance. Fans were rushed out, bands were cut off, and Grant Park turned into a swamp. The surprise exit had everyone buzzing for days.
20. Rio Olympics Opening Ceremony Soaked the Streets
Rafael Henrique Serra on Wikimedia Commons
The 2016 Olympics kicked off with unexpected rain, drenching crowds outside Maracanã Stadium. Though the ceremony continued inside, soaked guests and dancers felt every drop. It was a soggy start to the Summer Games.