MEMPHIS, Tenn. — For the second year in a row, the Beale Street Music Festival will not take place in Memphis.

A spokesperson with Memphis in May told WREG that the pause will continue in 2025 so that organizers can focus on the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, which is held May 14-17 at Liberty Park, and the Great American River Run on Memorial Day weekend.

“That gives us a chance to really grow and improve the experience of these two events for consumers before 2026,” said a spokesperson.

Reports say plans are already in the works for the Beale Street Music Festival’s return in 2026, which organizers are saying will have a “greater impact to the city than it previously had.”

“You know it’s kinda strange,” said Founding member of Bar-Kays James Alexander. “For as long as I can remember, we’re just so used to the first weekend of May doing the Beale Street Music Festival.”

“The festival industry itself has seen major challenges since COVID but is currently seeing lots of new trends and opportunities that would allow music festivals to continue thriving in the years ahead. The pause on BSMF is temporary as it allows us to take a step back and reimagine the event to ensure we are providing the same premier experience for festival attendees as they have received in the past,” said Memphis in May in a statement.

Memphis in May went on to say that the BSMF is the only festival created and founded to celebrate the city of Memphis “and all the good things this city has to offer.”

“We plan to continue that tradition for years to come,” said a spokesperson.

Alexander says his band has played the festival at least 10 times over the years. In 2023, his band did he BSMF with Earth, Wind and Fire.

“In some shape, form or fashion because you know we played the Sunset Symphony, you know we played some of the galas, you know when they were honoring the countries,” said Alexander.

“Well the impact right now is not as severe because we do have a music festival that is going on in that first week of May, that Memphis and May has been for the last 40 years,” said President and CEO of Memphis Tourism Kevin Kane.

A new event that will be the first weekend of May in Tom Lee Park boasting big names this year like The Killers, Missy Elliott, Ludacris and recent Grammy-nominated artist Benson Boone. 

“I think they will bounce back, you know there is another festival here but I think there’s room for both festivals, you know we live in a music town so people here love music so I think there’s enough people in town to support both of them,” said Alexander.

“I’m excited about what’s going on now on the river and I’m excited about what Memphis in May will do in the future,” said Kane.