MATI Festival and Conference Moves to July; Adds The Fabulous Fox Theatre as a Main Stage
The 6th annual music festival, now July 17-19, 2026 in Grand Center Arts District to feature five main stages, expanded free Washington Avenue block party. Blind pre-sale weekend passes on sale today starting at $99.
St. Louis, Mo. – February 13, 2026 – MATI (Music at the Intersection) is moving. Beginning in 2026, the festival and conference will take place the third weekend in July, exiting St. Louis’ increasingly crowded September events calendar, as well as avoiding future Rosh Hashanah and high holiday conflicts.
Save the date. MATI returns July 17-19, 2026, with five main stages, including The Fabulous Fox Theatre (new), The Sovereign, The Big Top, Jazz St. Louis, and Sophie’s Artist Lounge. MATI is taking full advantage of Grand Center Arts District’s world-class music and art infrastructure to deliver a fully walkable indoor-outdoor summer festival experience.
Beginning today at 10 a.m. CT, MATI is offering $99 (all fees included) weekend GA passes as a blind pre-sale at www.MATIstl.org or direct through MetroTix. With the new indoor main stages format (The Fabulous Fox Stage replacing the Field Stage), weekend pass sales are capped at a lower capacity for 2026, meaning those who purchase early - before the artist lineup drops and fans rush to buy - are guaranteed access to the full three-day experience. Buying blind in February also earns MATI fans insider status, with first access to upgrades and add-ons that will be announced in the spring.
One of the to-be-announced add-ons is a special “MATI presents” concert hosted by The Fabulous Fox on Thursday, July 16. The event will serve as a kickoff to MATI weekend.
“Grand Center is a top arts district in the nation,” said Chris Hansen, Executive Director of Kranzberg Arts Foundation. “As MATI continues to grow and evolve, we’re thrilled to welcome The Fabulous Fox Theatre and Jazz St. Louis as official festival main stages. Utilizing the existing infrastructure of world-class venues allows us to deliver a high caliber, fully walkable indoor-outdoor festival experience at an affordable price. And for those without a festival pass, the District is still for you. We’re going even bigger with the free community block party this year. Washington Avenue is coming alive, with rides, roller skating, art, music and more. MATI has something for everyone.”
MATI Weekend Pass + Free Community Block Party
MATI’s weekend GA pass, priced at just $99, includes select orchestra or balcony seating at The Fabulous Fox on Sunday, July 19 for festival headliner performances. Fans get to choose their seats at The Fabulous Fox, meaning blind pre-sale purchasers get dibs on best available. At purchase, festivalgoers can also upgrade to premium orchestra seating. Passes go on sale 10 a.m. CT today at www.MATIstl.org or direct through MetroTix.
A special MATI Weekend Delux Pass, as well as a limited number of MATI single-day passes are expected to go on sale after the artist lineup drops in the spring.
With a continued focus on accessibility and inclusivity, MATI’s outdoor community block party - connecting its five main stages down Washington Avenue - will be free and bigger than ever in 2026. MATI is activating Grand Center Arts District with live music (including national DJs), a performance art stage, a roller skating rink, carnival rides, pop-up fashion shows, mural and art exhibits, the blooming business market, tastes of St. Louis’ favorite culinary dishes and incentives to visit Midtown’s many bars, restaurants and retailers.
Additionally, MATI Places, which include The Key, Urban Chestnut and High Low, will feature performances, clinics and workshops throughout the weekend. MATI’s annual thought leadership conference returns to .ZACK, providing panels, keynote discussions and networking opportunities targeted at artists, creatives and entrepreneurs. The conference and MATI Places are also free.
Join the MATI Movement
At checkout, MATI pass buyers will be prompted to donate and join the MATI Movement. The MATI Members program asks attendees to become patrons, helping ensure that the festival - created and funded by St. Louis non-profit and civic organizations - grows and thrives for generations to come.
As part of a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, MATI is about more than entertainment. The festival and conference is about accessibility, community and ensuring the arts remain central to St. Louis’ identity, tourism and growth. MATI Member contributions go to fund:
Access for all. Last year, MATI provided more than 3,000 free festival tickets to community members who may not have otherwise afforded to attend.
Supporting artists. MATI fuels the work of musicians, visual artists and thought leaders. The event also creates job opportunities within the arts and entertainment sector of St. Louis, from performance to production.
Building community. The festival and conference ensures a space where ideas, creativity and connections thrive, establishing St. Louis as a premier arts and entertainment destination while building civic pride.
Fans can join the MATI Movement at a variety of levels, making them not only a generous patron of the St. Louis arts, but also a MATI Member with insider access to festival weekend and year-round programming, special perks, and more. Learn more at www.MATIstl.org.
In addition to the MATI festival weekend in July, fans can look forward to music, art, and conference programming year-round, including the return of Free 4 All music showcase. Additional programming partners include The Fabulous Fox, The Sovereign, Atomic by Jamo, The Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis, Delux Magazine, Evntiv, and The Recording Academy.
Since its inception in 2021, MATI has grown in size and ambition year-over-year, garnering rave reviews from attendees, as well as attention from The Recording Academy and national press outlets - including PEOPLE, The Source, Billboard, Essence, VIBE, Ebony, Live for Live Music, SPIN and Forbes.
MATI is presented by Kranzberg Arts Foundation in partnership with Steward Family Foundation and The Regional Arts Commission (RAC) of St. Louis.
About MATI:
MATI is a civic-led effort presented by Kranzberg Arts Foundation in partnership with Steward Family Foundation and The Regional Arts Commission (RAC) of St. Louis. First held in 2021, the festival tells the story of St. Louis’ musical, cultural and artistic heritage. It celebrates the city’s imprint on the American songbook, as well as the relationship St. Louis has with its Mississippi River roots. The festival aims to celebrate musical heritage, from the West African coasts to the Caribbean islands, up through the Mississippi Delta. Music at the Intersection honors the giants who shaped genre and sound - across blues, jazz, soul, R&B, hip-hop and rock n' roll - as it also calls up and gives platform to a new wave of artists.
For updates and additional information, visit Music at the Intersection at www.matistl.org or follow the festival on social media: Facebook (www.facebook.com/matistlouis), Twitter (www.x.com/matistl), Instagram (www.instagram.com/matistlouis) and TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@matistl).