Music At The Intersection is officially shifting its 2026 edition from its traditional early autumn slot to the height of summer, with organisers confirming new dates of 17th - 19th July, 2026 in St. Louis’ Grand Center Arts District. The festival, now branded MATI Festival and Conference, had previously been scheduled for 11th - 13th September, 2026, but will now occupy the third weekend of July in a strategic calendar move.

Festival organisers say the change avoids clashes with other major fall events and the Jewish High Holidays, while also positioning MATI more comfortably within peak touring season. The new dates allow the event to better integrate with the surrounding arts precinct, including expanded use of The Fabulous Fox Theatre as a primary indoor main stage. Four of the festival’s key stages will now be indoors or covered, reflecting evolving audience demand for comfort-focused experiences.

The Fabulous Fox replaces the previous outdoor field stage, joining venues such as The Sovereign, The Big Top, Sophie’s Artist Lounge and Jazz St. Louis as part of the weekend pass programming. Alongside ticketed performances, the free community block party will return with DJ sets, performance art, roller skating, carnival rides, fashion pop-ups and local food vendors, while workshops and panels take place at The High Low and .Zack.

Launched in 2021 by the Kranzberg Arts Foundation, Music At The Intersection has hosted artists including Erykah Badu, Patti LaBelle, Herbie Hancock and Thundercat, cementing its place as a cultural highlight for St. Louis. Blind presale weekend General Admission passes for the 17th - 19th July, 2026 edition go on sale at 10am on 13th February, 2026, with the full lineup set to be revealed in March.