Ribs R&B Music Festival Weekend!

Join us for the Ribs R&B Music Festival Weekend at Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit from August 7 to August 9, 2026. This festival, voted the #1 BBQ music festival in the Midwest by Everfest, will showcase the best BBQ grill masters, food vendors, and local businesses from across the nation. Enjoy a variety of delicious offerings, including lamb chops, fish, shrimp, and some of the best barbecue and soul food this side of the Mississippi.

The festival is free until 4:00 PM on Friday, August 7, and free until 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 8, and Sunday, August 9. After these times, admission is $15. Festival hours run from 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM each day. On Sunday, August 9, watch as chefs compete in the Rib Cook-Off, where 15 grillers will vie for the titles of Best Ribs and Best Sauce, with winners receiving a 3-foot trophy and bragging rights.

Ribs R&B Music Festival Weekend promises an exciting lineup of entertainment featuring Platinum and Grammy award-winning artists, as well as national and local recording artists, performing on two stages throughout the weekend. The main stage will kick off on Friday night with a mix of old school funk, pop, and R&B, along with performances from Detroit's hottest new artists. Dance the night away with DJs Charles Hicks, Hylyte, and Base, who will be spinning tracks all three days.

• Friday, August 7: Festival opens at 11:30 AM, with live performances and DJ sets.
• Saturday, August 8: Gospel performances from noon to 6:00 PM, followed by Jazz & R&B from 6:00 PM to midnight.
• Sunday, August 9: Start your day with a full Sunday service at 10:00 AM, followed by more gospel and R&B performances.

This premier summer event will attract attendees from across the country, including cities like Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, and Chicago. In addition to great food and music, the festival will feature Art on the River, an African village, and a Business Expo. There will also be VIP seating available for purchase through Eventbrite for those looking for an enhanced experience.

As the event producer Johnnie Washington states, “We work hard to provide our guests with exceptional entertainment and an experience for the entire family.” Don’t miss out on what is expected to be one of the hottest events of the summer, drawing over 150,000 attendees over the three-day weekend.