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Memphis CVB/Andrea Zucker
Must-Visit Tennessee Barbecue Festivals
Follow your nose to these Tennessee barbecue festivals for competitions and the best barbecue samples.
February 4, 2025
Barbecue Festivals and Competitions in and near Memphis
Tennessee knows barbecue. The state attracts top barbecue teams to compete at festivals across the state that happen throughout the year. Add these Tennessee barbecue festivals to your calendar to eat amazing barbecue, enjoy live music and community spirit.
*Events reflect the 2025 calendar year.
Barbecue Festivals and Competitions in and near Memphis
World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest - Memphis
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Memphis Travel/Mike Kerr
The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest takes place May 14-17, 2025 as part of the larger Memphis in May celebration on the Memphis riverfront downtown in Liberty Park. The contest is heralded as the “Most Prestigious Barbecue Contest” The four-day competition has teams compete for more than $150,000 in prize money. Championship pork categories include ribs, shoulder and whole hog as well as ancillary competitions of hot wings, sauce and “Anything But Pork.” Activities include sauce wrestling, live music after award presentation each day, Ms. Piggie Idol, BBQ Alley and so much more.
SmokeSlam BBQ Festival - Memphis
The ultimate barbecue showdown happens at SmokeSlam BBQ Festival May 15-17, 2025 at Tom Lee Park in Memphis. Teams from all over the U.S. will compete for over $250,000, the largest prize in barbecue history. The fully inclusive, interactive experience celebrates barbecue, music, art and all things Memphis. Pig out on barbecue and other foods from competing teams and vendors, shop locally curated goods, enjoy carnival fun with games, a carousel and Ferris wheel, and dance to live music.
Covington Bar-B-Que Festival - Covington
The KCBS sanctioned Covington Bar-B-Que Festival have teams compete in various categories for prizes and bragging rights each June. Attendees can also check out a demolition derby, truck and tractor pulls, enjoy food trucks and watch the pickleball tournament.
Tennessee River BBQ Battle & Music Fest - Saltillo
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@tnsmokeshow
Over $14,000 and the title of Grand Champion is up for grabs during the Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned TN River BBQ Battle in Saltillo. Teams will compete in chicken, pork, pork ribs and brisket categories with an overall team win available as well. Get your fill of barbecue and other food options, enjoy live music all day. The festivities are part of the larger Saltillo River Day, a celebration of the town’s river heritage that includes a parade, street dance, arts and crafts and more family-friendly activities.
Chester County BBQ Festival - Henderson
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Journal Communications Inc./Jeff Adkins
The Chester County BBQ Festival occurs each year on the last Friday and Saturday of September. This year’s festival takes place Sept. 27-28, 2025 around the Chester County Courthouse lawn in downtown Henderson. Mark your calendar to attend for lots of barbecue, live entertainment including hog calling contests, music, pig trot 5K, tractor show, children’s activities, live entertainment, Porky’s Pedal Tractor Pull, mutt strut pet parade and corn hole tournament.
Bartlett Festival, BBQ Contest & Car Show – Bartlett
Bring the family to experience the Bartlett Festival, BBQ Contest & Car Show Oct. 3-4, 2025 at W.J. Freeman Park in Bartlett. The Memphis BBQ Network Patio sanctioned barbecue cooking contest welcomes teams to compete in categories like chicken, pulled pork, ribs beef, fish/seafood, dessert, barbecue side and barbecue sauce. Live music, family-friendly games, arts & crafts and a car show are also planned.
Barbecue Competitions and Festivals near Nashville
Smoke on the Shores – Lebanon
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@fordsbbq
Smoke on the Shores, a KCBS sanctioned competition, welcomes more than 60 teams to participate in the profession barbecue competition and more than 40 teams compete in the backyard barbecue competition March 14-15, 2025 at the Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon. Prize money totals over $10,000. Additional challenges include the Allegiance Rib Challenge, Dessert Challenge and Turkey Smoke Challenge.
Boro BBQ Festival - Murfreesboro
Oaklands Mansion in Murfreesboro hosts some of the top ‘cuers in Middle Tennessee during Boro BBQ Festival April 25-26, 2025 as they compete in the KCBS Competitive Series-sanctioned Dr. George Smith BBQ Brawl. Enjoy eating some of the finest barbecue while browsing 100 vendors, artists and craftspeople, live music, petting zoo and inflatables in the Family Zone, and participate in the People’s Choice competition.
Jack Daniel World Championship Invitational Barbecue - Lynchburg
The small town of Lynchburg becomes the largest site for barbecue Oct. 10-11, 2025. Barbecue competitors from around the nation converge for The Jack to show off their grilling and smoking skills at one of the most prestigious competitions in the barbecue world. More than 40,000 people travel to witness the competition in Wiseman Park and to enjoy barbecue vendors, buck dancing, butt bowling, the Country Dog Show and more. Admission is free and all ages are welcome.
Pig Fest - Hendersonville
The 4th annual Hendersonville Pig Fest takes place Oct. 23-25, 2025 at Veteran’s Park in Hendersonville. This year’s event includes a backyard barbecue competition, Friday Night concert, food trucks, live music, kids zone, pig races and Parking Palette painting. The barbecue competition sees teams compete for cash awards in categories like pork, ribs, shrimp, chicken, desserts and more. A People’s Choice Award and Pig Master Grand Champion title are on the line.
Barbecue Festivals and Competitions in and near the Smokies, Chattanooga and Knoxville
Bloomin’ BBQ Music & Food Festival – Sevierville
The Bloomin’ BBQ Music & Food Festival occurs May 16-17, 2025 in Sevierville. Some of the nation’s best barbecue, live music and family fun can be enjoyed at one of the Southeast’s top festivals. Some of the brightest bluegrass and Americana stars are part of the live music lineup that happens across three festival stages throughout the two-day event.
Big BBQ Bash - Townsend
The Big BBQ Bash is a Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned competition that brings teams from across the U.S. together June 20-21, 2025 to the Townsend Event Center in Townsend, located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The event is a state championship, making the competition a qualifier for the American Royal Barbecue Cook-Off and Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue. Enjoy seeing the teams compete and enjoy a taste of some of the best barbecue in the South.
Blooms, Bluegrass & BBQ Festival - Sweetwater
The Blooms, Bluegrass & BBQ Festival takes place May 2-3, 2025 in quaint historic downtown of Sweetwater, about 45 miles from Knoxville. It's a fun event full of live bluegrass performances, barbecue up for tasting, local shopping vendors, a kid-friendly zone with a carnival and more. And, snap endless photos by the blooming topiaries throughout downtown.
Chattanooga Sip ‘N Que Festival - Chattanooga
The Chattanooga Sip ‘N Que Festival celebrates all things barbecue and libations. A barbecue and sides competition, beer, wine and whiskey samples, food trucks, live music and more. Choose your experience with a variety of ticket options including a general admission only, food sampler ticket, beverage sampler ticket, beverage and food sampler ticket and the VIP “I Want It All” ticket that includes early admission, food sampler ticket and a beverage sampler ticket. Stay tuned for 2025 dates.
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