Grammy Award-winning hip-hop group The Roots and Live Nation Urban announced the 2026 installment of Roots Picnic, a two-day festival set for May 30-31 at the Belmont Plateau.
Presale tickets are available. General ticket sales begin March 17 at 10 a.m. Eastern.
The May 30 lineup features Jay-Z headlining, marking his first performance with The Roots in more than a decade. On May 31, Erykah Badu will close the festival.
Organizers said the lineup also includes Kehlani, returning to the event after 10 years, and Brandy, making her debut. Additional performers include T.I., De La Soul, Mariah the Scientist, and DJ Jazzy Jeff. A tribute marking the 50th anniversary of go-go music will feature an all-star band.
The 2026 event marks the festival’s first year at Belmont Plateau, a site known for skyline views and ties to the city’s hip-hop culture in the 1980s and early 1990s.
“Moving the Roots Picnic to Belmont Plateau and bringing Jay-Z and The Roots together to perform are both bucket-list moments for us,” said Shawn Gee, manager of The Roots and president of Live Nation Urban. “After meeting with Mayor Cherelle Parker and hearing her vision for Philly 250, she truly inspired us to dream even bigger.”
Roots Picnic began in 2007 and has grown into a major summer music event tied to Philadelphia’s music scene. Past performers include Lenny Kravitz, GloRilla, Tems, Latto, Kaytranada, Jeezy, Pusha T, 2 Chainz and Musiq Soulchild.
Over the years, the festival has earned recognition as a leading event for hip-hop audiences across generations.
Organizers said the event continues to highlight the genre’s evolution and influence while drawing fans from across the country.
