The Carolina BBQ Festival - 2026
Schedule
Fri, 17 Apr, 2026 at 06:00 pm to Sat, 18 Apr, 2026 at 04:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Victoria Yards | Charlotte, NC
Celebrate the Tradition of Whole Hog BBQ and so MUCH MORE. Tastings from 30+ Pitmasters + Chefs at the 5th annual Carolina BBQ Festival.About this Event
Join us at the Carolina BBQ Festival, April 17–18, 2026, at Victoria Yards and the adjacent parking lot in Uptown Charlotte, NC — all in support of our friends at Operation BBQ Relief.
Our 2026 pitmaster + chef lineup features 30+ friends from the Carolinas & beyond, coming together to celebrate the rich tradition of whole hog BBQ (and so much more). Your festival tickets include tasting plates from all of our friends - that’s 30+ tastings of BBQ goodness if you hang with us all weekend. Come hungry.
Friday, April 17 – The Kickoff
We’re kicking off festival weekend on Friday, April 17, celebrating all things CHARLOTTE BBQ.
Enjoy:
• Tastings from 5+ local BBQ spots. Live Music + DJ.
• A chance to watch the pits get set up for festival day
• All the eats + drinks to kick off the weekend in true #CLT fashion
Saturday, April 18 – The Festival
Spend Saturday soaking in the full Carolina BBQ Festival experience.
Your day includes:
• Tasting plates from each of our 25 pitmaster stations
• A mix of whole hog, brisket, chicken, hash & rice, seafood, and more
• Local vendors + sponsor activations
• Beer, wine, cocktails, and a variety of non-alcoholic options available for purchase
• An on-site brick pit showcasing the heritage of whole hog cooking
BBQ for a Cause
Let’s #BBQforaCause by supporting our friends at Operation BBQ Relief. Our amazing sponsors will once again be donating grills and all kinds of BBQ-related tools & swag for our onsite raffle benefiting OBR.
We’re bringing the BBQ community together again to celebrate the whole hog tradition - festival style.
Divided by Sauce, United by Coal.
Find us at carolinabbqfest.org and @carolinabbqfestival on Instagram.
Tickets are non-refundable; this is a rain-or-shine event.
Ticket Overview
The Kickoff – $35
Friday, April 17 • 6:00–10:00 PM
Celebrating all things #CLT
• Local pitmaster + chef tastings
• Live music + DJ
The Festival: General Admission – $75
Saturday, April 18 • Entry at 12:00 PM
• Tasting plates from 25 pitmasters
• DJ, vendors + sponsor activations
• Access to a variety of drinks: cocktails, beer, wine, and NA beverages
• Join our raffle & #BBQforaCause
• Shop our exclusive 2026 Carolina BBQ Festival merch
The Festival: VIP – $125
Saturday, April 18 • Entry at 11:00 AM
• Everything included in General Admission
• Early VIP entry at 11:00 AM, including early access to our Swag Station
• Access to VIP area, including oysters + champagne
• $10 voucher for Carolina BBQ Festival merch (shirt or hat)*
Kids Tickets (ages 7–13) – $25
Piglet Tickets – $0
• Kids 6 and under receive free admission
• A ticket must be selected for them at checkout.
*Merch voucher only applies to the Carolina BBQ Festival merch tent and does not include merch, goods, wares, foods, or drinks from vendors.
Where is it happening?
Victoria Yards, 209 East 7th Street, Charlotte, United StatesUSD 0.00 to USD 133.59
