The 16th Annual Downtown Jonesboro BBQ & Music Festival returns to downtown Jonesboro on Friday, September 25, and Saturday, September 26, 2026, bringing two days of live music, food trucks, arts and retail vendors, a family-friendly First National Bank Kid Zone, and entertainment for all ages. Best of all, admission is FREE.
The RightFiber Stage will showcase an exciting weekend of nationally recognized artists and fan-favorite tribute acts. Friday night’s headliner is JUMP, internationally recognized as one of the world’s premier Van Halen tribute bands. Having performed across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, JUMP faithfully recreates the sound, energy, and spectacle of classic Van Halen concerts. Fans can expect hit after hit, including “Jump,” “Panama,” “Hot for Teacher,” “Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love,” and many more. Opening Friday’s lineup are Marybeth Byrd, the Arkansas native who earned national acclaim on American Idol and The Voice, and Natural Science, one of the country’s most respected RUSH tribute bands.
Saturday night’s headliner is the Spin Doctors, the Grammy-nominated rock band whose breakthrough album Pocket Full of Kryptonite sold more than five million copies and launched enduring hits including “Two Princes,” “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong,” and “Jimmy Olsen’s Blues.” More than 30 years later, the band continues to tour internationally, delivering the same energetic blend of rock, blues, funk, and jam-band influences that made them one of the defining acts of the early 1990s. Opening the evening will be That ’70s Band, performing an entertaining mix of classic ’70s rock, disco, and Yacht Rock favorites.
The MolsonCoors Stage offers an equally impressive lineup on Saturday, headlined by the Grammy-nominated North Mississippi Allstars. Known for their electrifying live performances and signature blend of blues, rock, soul, and hill country music, the Allstars will cap off a day of outstanding regional talent including Greasy Tree, Bluesnado, Dukes of Hoggard, and Bloodhound.
In recent years the festival has seen Stephen Pearcy’s RATT, Band of Heathens, Al Kapone, Dumpstaphunk, Priscilla Block, Jameson Rodgers, Shane Profitt, Gin Blossoms, Queensryche, Morris Day and the Time, Blind Melon, Smash Mouth, FUEL, Scotty McCreery, Brett Michaels, Brothers Osborne, The Commodores, Lee Brice, 38 Special, Rick Springfield, Easton Corbin, Barrett Baber and Night Ranger perform in Downtown Jonesboro
The Downtown Jonesboro BBQ & Music Festival has become one of Northeast Arkansas’ premier annual events, attracting thousands of visitors each year for award-winning barbecue, outstanding live music, family activities, and an unforgettable weekend in the heart of downtown.
