RiverBeat Festival 2026: Memphis Road Closures and Lineup

Dave Matthews Band and Wu-Tang Clan Are Coming: Memphis Starts RiverBeat Festival Prep

Riverside Drive will close on Monday, April 6, as crews begin transforming Tom Lee Park for the star-studded RiverBeat Music Festival this May.

Marcus J. Delany

Apr 5, 2026, 3:23 PM PT · 1 min read

Dave Matthews Band performing live — Photo: Nan Palmero / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

THE RUNDOWN

Riverside Drive closes Monday, April 6, between Beale Street and Georgia Avenue.
The road closure begins between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. for festival preparations.
RiverBeat Music Festival takes place May 1–3 at Tom Lee Park.
Headlining artists include Dave Matthews Band, Wu-Tang Clan, and Salt-N-Pepa.
Pedestrian access to riverfront amenities will remain open during setup.

Memphis is officially gearing up for a massive weekend of music on the water. On Monday, April 6, 2026, city crews will begin closing Riverside Drive to prepare for the upcoming RiverBeat Music Festival. The closure will impact the stretch between Beale Street and Georgia Avenue starting between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., according to Local Memphis.

While drivers will need to navigate marked detours, the Memphis River Parks Partnership is ensuring that pedestrian access to riverfront amenities remains open during the build-out. This early preparation sets the stage for the three-day event, which is scheduled to take over Tom Lee Park from May 1 to May 3, 2026.

The festival features a high-energy lineup including the Dave Matthews Band, Wu-Tang Clan, and Salt-N-Pepa. Produced by Mempho Presents, the event serves as a major draw for the city's revitalized riverfront. Fans can expect heavy traffic in the area throughout April as the main stages and vendor booths are constructed for the May debut.