Mesa Music Festival fans must wait longer

Mesa Music Festival Pushed Back Again, Now Eyes Fall Return

If you've been waiting to hear your favorite up-and-coming bands rocking Main Street in downtown Mesa this spring, you'll need to keep waiting a little longer. The Mesa Music Festival, Arizona's largest free emerging artist showcase, has shifted its 2026 return from the traditional April window to October 15-17.

The postponement extends a frustrating dry spell for MMF fans. The festival skipped 2025 entirely after promoters announced in October 2024 that the edition typically held each April would not happen. No specific reasons were given at the time. Before that, the event went dark for three years during the pandemic. If you're keeping score, that means downtown Mesa hasn't hosted this thing since April 2024.

When it debuted in 2015, the festival quickly became a beloved East Valley tradition. Produced by New Jersey-based Motor Media, the free three-day event features more than 200 performances across multiple stages and venues along Main Street. Past headliners have included Everclear and Hoobastank, and the lineup spans everything from rock and punk to hip-hop and R&B. Beyond the music, attendees enjoy vendor villages, food trucks, and industry workshops where aspiring artists can network with professionals.

The good news is that the festival website currently shows submissions are open for the October dates, which suggests organizers are actively planning the seventh annual edition. Visit Mesa still lists the next dates as to be determined, so fans should keep an eye on the official channels for confirmation.

For a city that's invested heavily in revitalizing its downtown arts and entertainment corridor, getting MMF back on the calendar matters. Here's hoping October delivers the goods.

Sources: Phoenix New Times | Mesa Music Festival | Visit Mesa | Instagram @mesamusicfest