The Ribs & R&B Music Festival represents Detroit's Official National Barbeque Weekend, held annually at Hart Plaza on the downtown riverfront. The festival provides attendees with an amazing summertime celebration of barbecue and great music, featuring an outstanding lineup of local barbecue experts and grilling gurus serving up tasty ribs, brisket and chicken, alongside performances from a variety of talented R&B and soul singers. The event operates from 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM across all three festival days, with free general admission during early hours and paid entry during evening performances. Children aged 12 and under receive complimentary admission throughout the weekend. VIP experience packages include premium seating in front of the Main Stage with dedicated VIP bars and premium restroom access. Past festival lineups have included notable R&B and soul performers such as Sheila E., Dru Hill featuring Sisqo, Chanté Moore, Loose Ends, CeCe Peniston, Chrisette Michele, Keith Washington, Al B. Sure!, and The Mary Jane Girls. Hart Plaza's 14-acre waterfront location provides an ideal setting with its distinctive amphitheater and expansive grounds for the event. The festival actively recruits food vendors, barbecue specialists, and retail merchants, offering premium placement and facilities including power hookups for food vendors and dedicated merchandise village space for retail vendors with overnight security.