BBQ Festivals in Tennessee

The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest takes place May 13-16, 2026 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.

• Parking Information: Festival parking passes are available for a day pass at $18 USD or 4-day pass at $50.
   
• Accessibility Information: Memphis in May strives to be accessible for all patrons, in addition to various other accessibility initiatives, this May festival's events are all wheelchair accessible, people with dietary restrictions can bring in their own food, and ASL interpretation is available upon request.
   
• Ticketing: Tickets are available as single-day passes, VIP passes, and day passes + BBQ experience packages. 

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. This food-filled-fest is the perfect May festival for your Tennessee bucket list.

• Dates: May 29th - 30th, 2026

Over $10,000 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 at this BBQ fest near Memphis. 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. 

The Chester County BBQ Festival occurs each year on the last Friday and Saturday of September. This year’s festival takes place Sept. 25-26, 2026 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.

• Ticketing: There is no admission, this BBQ festival is free to all.
   
• Dates: Chester County BBQ festival will be held from September 25th - 26th, 2026

Bring the family to experience the Bartlett Festival, BBQ Contest & Car Show Oct. 2nd-3rd, 2026 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. Try USA BBQ at its finest and participate in a 5k on Saturday morning to walk-off all the yummy, smoky goodness.

• Ticketing: Admission to the Barbecue contest, festival and car show is free. 
   
• Parking Information: There is a free shuttle bus that runs on Friday, from 5:00 to 10:00, to the lot at Stage Road. There is an additional lot on Saturday at 3465 Kirby Whitten Pkwy, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

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 20-21, 2026 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.

• Dates: This BBQ Competition near Nashville begins on March 20th and lasts through March 21st of 2026. 
   
• Ticketing: Registration for the competition ranges from $100 to $275. 

Oaklands Mansion in Murfreesboro hosts some of the top ‘cuers in Middle Tennessee during Boro BBQ Festival on May 2nd, 2026 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.

• Ticketing: This BBQ festival in May is free and open to the public.

The small town of Lynchburg becomes the largest site for barbecue Oct. 9th-10th, 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 USA barbecue vendors, buck dancing, butt bowling, the Country Dog Show and more. 

• Ticketing: Admission is free and all ages are welcome.

The 5th annual Hendersonville Pig Fest takes place Oct. 22-24, 2026 at Veteran’s Park in Hendersonville near Nashville. 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.

The Bloomin’ BBQ Music & Food Festival occurs May 15-16, 2026 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.

• Ticketing: This BBQ cookoff offers free admission and free concerts
   
• Parking: Free parking is available throughout downtown Sevierville.

The Big BBQ Bash is a Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned competition that brings teams from across the U.S. together September 25th-26th, 2026 at 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.

The Blooms, Bluegrass & BBQ Festival takes place September 18-19, 2026 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.