BBQ Rib Cookoff
Pitmasters from across North Mississippi compete for bragging rights and the best rib in Tippah County. Smell it from three blocks away.
Celebrating R.L. Burnside's 100th Birthday
Burnside Music Fest
Big music. Small town.
Hill Country blues the way R.L. meant it.
—Days
—Hours
—Minutes
—Seconds
The Legacy
A hundred years of Hill Country groove.
Robert Lee Burnside was born in 1926 in the red clay hills of North Mississippi — a few miles of dirt road from the spot where you're about to stand. He turned a style of blues with no name into one of the most hypnotic, unapologetic sounds the world has ever heard.
Burnside Music Fest is how Ripley says thank you. One day a year, the streets turn into a juke joint. The amps point outward. The grooves don't resolve. And everybody — grandmas, kids on shoulders, pilgrims who drove ten hours — stands in the same sun and feels the same drone.
2026 is R.L.'s hundredth. We're making it the loudest yet.
100Years since R.L. was born
7Acts on the stage
$0Cost to get in
2026 Lineup
Seven acts. One street.
All day and into the night.
Live music starts at noon on the Hill Country Blues Alley stage. Set times announced closer to the date.
-
01
Cedric Burnside
Headliner · Grammy winner · Grandson of R.L.
Two-time Grammy winner and one of the most celebrated torchbearers of North Mississippi Hill Country blues. His 2021 album I Be Trying won Best Traditional Blues Album, carrying his grandfather's raw, driving style into a new generation.
-
02
Garry Burnside
Son of R.L. Burnside
Seasoned Hill Country bluesman who grew up inside the Holly Springs scene, playing bass and guitar alongside his father and Junior Kimbrough. Keeps the family tradition alive through his own recordings and relentless live shows.
-
03
The Pistol & The Queen
Regal Rock & Roll · Blues-rock duo
Formed after a chance meeting in London, this blues-rock duo made their way to Mississippi and never looked back. Ten years in, they're still bringing their signature "Regal Rock & Roll" wherever they go.
-
04
Lena Beach feat. Boo Mitchell
Memphis soul meets the hills
A rising vocalist bridging classic Memphis R&B with contemporary blues, sharing the stage with Grammy-winning producer Boo Mitchell of Royal Studios — the legendary home of Al Green and the Hi Records sound.
-
05
Mark "Mule Man" Massey
Hill Country bluesman · Holly Springs
A raw, hypnotic slide player deeply schooled in the R.L. Burnside / Junior Kimbrough / Fat Possum sound. A fixture of North Mississippi juke joints for decades, keeping the drone-heavy tradition alive.
-
06
The Pip Project
Mississippi blues · funk · soul
A Mississippi-rooted ensemble blending blues, funk, and soul with a contemporary edge. High-energy live performances built on the deep musical heritage of the Magnolia State.
-
07
Titus Gillard
Mississippi blues · singer & guitarist
A Mississippi blues artist whose soulful voice and guitar work carry forward the storytelling spirit at the heart of the genre. A regular on the regional blues circuit.
Lineup subject to change. More acts and set times to be announced — follow Ripley Main Street for updates.
On the Street
More than a concert. It's a Saturday.
Vendor Booths
Local artisans, record diggers, Mississippi-made goods, and Ripley Main Street favorites up and down E Spring Street.
Food Trucks
Tacos, fried catfish, tamales, sno-cones, and all the festival fuel you'd expect from a Saturday in Mississippi.
Live Music From Noon
One stage. Seven acts. Starting at 12 PM sharp on the Hill Country Blues Alley stage and running deep into the evening.
Family Friendly
Kids run free. Outdoor street festival, open to all ages, welcoming to Mississippi locals and blues pilgrims alike.
Visit
Historic Downtown Ripley,
Tippah County, Mississippi.
The festival unfolds along E Spring St on the Hill Country Blues Alley — right in the heart of downtown Ripley's historic square.
- Address
-
Hill Country Blues Alley
111 E Spring St
Ripley, MS 38663 - Getting here
- About 1 hour southeast of Memphis, TN, and 45 minutes north of Tupelo, MS via US-78 and MS-15. Free street parking around the downtown square.
- What to bring
- A folding chair, sunscreen, cash for vendors and BBQ, and your dancing shoes. Leave the cooler — food and drinks on site.
Good to Know
Frequently Asked
Is Burnside Music Fest really free?
Yes — free admission, no tickets required. The festival is a gift to the community, produced by Ripley Main Street with support from sponsors and vendors.
What time does the music start?
Live music kicks off at 12:00 PM on Saturday, June 6, 2026, and runs all afternoon into the evening. Headliner set times will be announced in the weeks leading up to the festival.
Can I bring a chair or cooler?
Folding chairs are welcome and recommended. Outside coolers and outside alcohol are not permitted — food trucks, BBQ vendors, and concessions will be on site.
Is there parking?
Plenty of free street parking is available around Ripley's downtown square and adjacent side streets. Arrive early for the closest spots to the stage.
Is it family friendly? Kids? Dogs?
All ages welcome. Kids are free and there's plenty of room to run around the square. Leashed, well-behaved dogs are generally welcome — please use your judgment in crowds and heat.
What if it rains?
Burnside Music Fest is a rain-or-shine outdoor event. In the unlikely case of severe weather, updates will be posted on the Ripley Main Street Facebook page.
How can vendors, food trucks, or sponsors get involved?
Reach out to Ripley Main Street directly via Facebook message or email. Vendor spots and sponsorship tiers are released in the spring each year.
In the Press