What’s your favorite thing to eat or cook at a barbecue or cookout? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Grilled slow and low on an open flame, with a sweet or spicy sauce, dry rubbed, wet rubbed or marinated, barbecue means something different for everyone. The styles of barbecue, types and cuts of meat, and sauce variations are endless. If you’re into grilled meats sauced to perfection, why not check out a barbecue festival? Festivals are the best place to try different styles of barbecue (a.k.a BBQ), get advice and ideas, and try or buy sauces, rubs and marinades. Find the right combination of tender, grilled and sauced meat to make you swoon.
Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival’s BBQ at the Beach - Fort Lauderdale, Florida
When: January, now in its 6th year
Local and nationally known celebrity pitmasters converge upon Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park for this festival presented by the Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival. Enjoy a waterfront evening breeze, a cocktail, and expertly prepared BBQ, as pitmasters vie for the title of “BBQ Champion.”
Website: https://vlfoodwine.com/bbq-at-the-beach/
IG: @Vlfoodwine
The Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival - New Orleans, Louisiana
When: October, since 2006
Presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, this weekend-long, award-winning event features a selection of the best barbecue vendors in the region, two stages of music, and a local arts market. It is free and open to the public. VIP experience passes are available, which include seating, a private lounge, complimentary bars, indoor bathrooms, and air conditioning.
Website: crescentcitybluesfest.com
IG: @jazzandheritage
Carolina BBQ Festival - Charlotte, North Carolina
When: April, since 2022
This two-day weekend event honors the tradition of whole-hog BBQ and supports the charitable organizations Operation BBQ Relief and Hungry Heroes. Sample BBQ from 17 Pitmasters, enjoy DJs and listen to a mix of funk, soul and bluegrass live music. Shop local vendors for BBQ rubs, sauces and other merchandise. Desserts, fresh lemonade, beer, wine and kid-friendly activities are also available.
Website: carolinabbqfest.org
IG: @carolinabbqfestival
3rd Annual Fayetteville Black BBQ Cookoff - Fayetteville, North Carolina
When: August
Celebrate the rich history of Black BBQ cooking with food vendors, music and much more. Enjoy soulfully prepared Southern BBQ, live music and DJs, dancing and games while hearing from local area authors and speakers. Also look for youth scholarships and internship opportunities, wellness events, job opportunities, resources, free food, backpacks and school supplies.
Website: L3Brand.com
IG: @L3ceo
The Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue- Lynchburg, Tennessee
When: Held in October for 30+ years
Known as simply The Jack, this competition is considered one of the most prestigious in the world. It is held in Lynchburg, the home of distillery founder Jack Daniels. Spectators come to taste BBQ from 15 or more competitors from around the world, as well as music, a dog show and other family-friendly activities. Admission is free.
Website: jackdaniels.com/en-us/TheJack
IG: @jackdaniels_us
Houston Barbecue Festival - Houston, Texas
When: April, since 2013
With an all-star lineup of legendary and up-and-coming pitmasters, this festival recognizes and celebrates Houston BBQ and the people who make it. It’s all about tasting BBQ. There’s no competition, rankings or prizes. Sample BBQ from 33 or more top grillers from around Texas. Visit craft and national beer stations to wash it down.
Website: houbbq.com
IG: @houbbq
Texas Monthly BBQ Festival - Lockhart, Texas
When: November, for the past 16 years.
From Texas Monthly magazine, the event welcomes visitors to taste barbecue from 35 or more pitmasters, hear live music, and drink adult beverages while benefiting the charity Feeding Texas. The festival has a ton of sponsors, so there’s likely to be lots of freebies. Tickets generally go on sale in June. Buy early if you want to snag VIP access level tickets.
Website: texasmonthly.com/event Click on BBQ Fest
IG: @tmbbqfest
Annual Long Beach BBQ Festival - Long Beach, California
When: May
Enjoy two smokin’ days of BBQ, music, entertainment, games, shopping and fun. Indulge and savor delicacies like BBQ ribs, juicy burgers, and tender pulled pork from the best BBQ vendors in the area. Enjoy live music from local bands, DJ dance sets, art exhibits and carnival games.
Website: longbeachbbqfest.com
IG: @longbeachbbqfest
BBQing While Black - Oakland, California
When: July, since 2018
This event was born as a response to yet another viral video of the police being called on a Black person minding their own business. An observer called the police on two black men for cooking out at Lake Merritt in Oakland, California, in 2018. The outrage and the conversation on race that it sparked gave birth to the BBQing While Black picnic. Come and grill, picnic, shop for merchandise at 30+ vendors and listen to hip hop and R&B DJs.
Website: Facebook.com/bbqnwhileblack
IG: @bbqnwhileblack
Bbqnwhileblack@gmail.com
Giant National Capital BBQ Battle - Washington, D.C.
When: Every June since 1992
Enjoy one of the country’s premier food and music festivals while raising funds for local charity and savoring sweet BBQ and live music. The BBQ battles at this festival are legendary and happen in the heart of DC. They include the ongoing competition between the RNC and DNC pitmasters, vying for the title of the best BBQ in town. Enjoy BBQ samples, food from Restaurant Row, libation stations and more.
Website: bbqindc.com
IG: @bbqindc
National BBQ Festival - Long Island, New York
When: Held in June. Kicked off in 2002
With a $100,000 Grand Prize, this three-day festival draws top pitmasters from across the globe. After sampling lots of BBQ, festival-goers can enjoy a wine and beer garden, celebrity MCs, a BBQ marketplace, family-friendly fun and live music from top hip-hop artists. Last year, hip-hop artist Warren G regulated the mic as well as the grill.
Website: nationalbbqfest.com
IG: @nationalbqfest
What’s your favorite thing to eat or cook at a barbecue or cookout? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
