The smell of smoked perfection, the sound of live music and two days of free, family-friendly fun are coming back to Downtown Jonesboro Sept. 26-27. The 2025 Downtown Jonesboro BBQ Festival, presented by the Jonesboro Advertising and Promotion Commission, features an action-packed lineup of entertainment, the First National Bank KCBS Arkansas State Barbecue Championship, food trucks, retail vendors and more. 

New Orleans funk royalty Dumpstaphunk will perform on Sept. 26 on the RightFiber Stage in Downtown Jonesboro. Co-founded by Ivan Neville, Tony Hall and Ian Neville, the band is known for electrifying performances at festivals like Bonnaroo, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and late-night TV appearances. Dumpstaphunk’s deep grooves and socially conscious lyrics have earned them a reputation as one of the funkiest live acts in America. Opening for the band will be Hank Nightshade & The Midnight Sons, and Rewind.

The music continues Sept. 27 as That Arena Rock Show takes the RightFiber Stage. Described as a high-octane tribute that takes audiences straight back to the glory days of stadium rock, the band covers mega-hits from bands like Journey, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, ACDC, the Scorpions, Van Halen and more, complete with authentic costumes, lights and arena-level production.

Opening for That Arena Rock Show will be Al Kapeezy and the Blues Rap Band, a Memphis hip-hop pioneer best known for his contributions to the “Hustle & Flow” soundtrack. His high-energy performances and Southern rap legacy have kept him a staple on stages from Beale Street to international tours. Also performing will be Brutal Planet: An Alice Cooper Experience. This spot-on tribute to rock’s theatrical icon delivers all the stage antics, shock rock and hard-hitting hits that defined an era.

On Saturday, Scoot Teasley will perform on the MolsonCoors Stage. A Nashville breakout artist blending classic country with modern hip-hop and R&B influences, Teasley is fresh off national tour dates and praised for his powerhouse vocals and relatable storytelling. Teasley has opened for major acts and is quickly building a devoted fan base. 

The Droptines will also perform on the Molson Coors Stage. This Texas-born, red dirt country favorite with a gritty edge draws comparisons to Whiskey Myers and Turnpike Troubadours. Their honest songwriting and rowdy live shows have made them festival regulars across the South, with tracks topping independent country charts. Also featured will be performances by Dustin Alan Dorton, Drew Pulliam, Midnight South, Christian Lewis, Gracie Giesman and more.

In recent years the festival has included performers such as Stephen Pearcy of RATT, Band of Heathans, Al Kapone, 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.

The festival also hosts the First National Bank Kansas City Barbecue Society-sanctioned Arkansas State Championship with more than $13,000 in prize money. The Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) is the largest barbecue organization in the world. Each year, the grand champion of the Downtown Jonesboro contest is invited to the American Royal and Jack Daniels World Championship.

“This festival is about more than just incredible barbecue—it’s about bringing our community together for two days of amazing live music, food and fun,” said event organizer Tim McCall. “Thanks to the Jonesboro Advertising and Promotion Commission and our incredible sponsors, all the concerts are free to the public.” 

Vendor and KCB BBQ Contest applications can be found on the Downtown Jonesboro BBQ Fest page on Facebook and at downtownjonesborobbq.com.