Ribs & R&B Music Festival Returns to Detroit's Riverfront This August
DETROIT — 7/25/2026
Detroit's official National Barbeque Weekend is back. The Ribs & R&B Music Festival takes over Hart Plaza on the city's riverfront August 7–9, 2026, bringing together three days of live R&B and soul performances with some of the region's best barbecue.
When and Where
The festival runs Friday through Sunday, August 7, 8, and 9, 2026, at Hart Plaza, 1 Hart Plaza, Detroit, MI 48226, on the Detroit riverfront. Gates are open from 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. all three days.
Getting In
Admission is free during the early hours each day:
- Friday: Free until 4:00 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday: Free until 1:00 p.m.
After those windows, general gate admission applies (the festival's site lists an after-hours price in the $15–$20 range, so it's worth checking the official ticket page for the current rate). Children 12 and under get in free all weekend long.
For guaranteed seating, the festival also offers VIP and Reserved packages, including a 3-Day VIP Weekend option with front-of-main-stage seating, access to dedicated VIP bars, and premium restroom access, as well as a VIP package that bundles in a Saturday night BBQ dinner, express entry, and exclusive festival merchandise. VIP and reserved tickets are sold through Eventbrite.
The Lineup
The 2026 schedule spans three days of performances:
Friday, August 7
- A tribute honoring Martha Reeves
- The Miracles, starring Mark Scott
- The Temptations Revue, starring Phase 5
- A fourth act to be announced
Saturday, August 8
- Ro James
- Klymaxx
- Midnight Star
Sunday, August 9
- Changing Faces
- Atlantic Starr
In past years, the festival has hosted artists including Sheila E., Dru Hill featuring Sisqó, Chanté Moore, Loose Ends, CeCe Peniston, Chrisette Michele, Keith Washington, Al B. Sure!, and the Mary Jane Girls, among others — giving a sense of the caliber of talent the event typically draws.
Food, BBQ, and Vendors
True to its name, barbecue is at the heart of the festival. Attendees can expect local pitmasters and grilling experts serving ribs, brisket, and chicken alongside a broader lineup of food trucks and festival vendors. The festival is also accepting vendor applications for food trucks/BBQ and for merchandise and retail booths, with premium placement at Hart Plaza, optional power hookups, and (for food vendors) three-day weekend passes included.
Tickets and More Info
- Tickets & VIP packages: via Eventbrite, linked from the festival's official site
- Vendor applications: available as a downloadable PDF on the festival website
- Contact: Washington Entertainment, the festival's producer, at 800-794-7503 or jwash906@sbcglobal.net
For the latest details on pricing, lineup updates, and ticket availability, visit the official site at ribsrnbmusicfestival.com.
Note: The festival's website lists a couple of minor inconsistencies (e.g., after-hours gate pricing and one reference to an “August 8–10” date in its footer versus “August 7–9” elsewhere on the site). This article reflects the information as published; it's worth confirming exact pricing and dates directly with the festival before making plans.