This year's Mission Estate Concert in the Hawke's Bay is off after organisers failed to find a suitable replacement for Neil Diamond, who pulled out after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

The concert, scheduled for March 17, was sold out. The venue can hold 25,000.

Event director Garry Craft says they searched the world for a star with equal wattage to the 76-year-old Diamond, but it was impossible at such short notice.

"The dates simply didn't work for any of the artists we thought would work in our unique environment and we have decided that continuing on with the concert was simply untenable.

"Nobody wanted this event cancelled," Mr Craft said.

"It's a no-win situation. We were sold out and had put major investment into infrastructure for the concert, and concertgoers hadn't just bought tickets, they'd also made travel and accommodation plans."

From Friday, ticket prices will be refunded to people's credit cards.

The Mission Estate Concert has been running since 1993.

Diamond, on his 50th anniversary tour, last week announced he had retired from touring due to a recent Parkinson's disease diagnosis. He also cancelled shows in Christchurch and Australia.