31st Annual Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle - America's Food & Music

31st Annual Giant National Capital BBQ Battle “America's Food & Music Festival”

Pennsylvania Ave, NW (3rd to 7th Streets) * Washington, D.C.

Saturday June 24th 11 AM to 9 PM & Sunday June 25th 11 AM to 7 PM

This year's Line-Up includes Hundreds of Free Food Samples (while supplies last), Best BBQ from DC and across the country, Microbrew & Wine Tastings, Cooking Demonstrations, Interactive Exhibits, Kids Rides & Games, National Championship BBQ Contests, Sports Action from Washington Wizards, Mystics, Capitals, and Capital City Go-Go, Monster 90's Block Party starring DJ Jazzy Jeff with Dancing in the Streets, and So Much More! Event benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters, USO, and the Capital Area Food Bank

One of the Country's Largest Annual Food and Music Festivals and the Only BBQ Event proclaimed "America's National BBQ Championship" on the floor of Congress, the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle officially kicks off the 2023 Summer Season on June 24th and 25th, 2023. For over Three Decades, The Barbecue Battle has been cooking up lots of great food, music & fun on America’s Main Street, Pennsylvania Avenue. This Tasty Event offers area residents and visitors alike, a two-day line-up of Tempting BBQ & Grilled Specialties, Free Food Samples, Cooking Demonstrations, Interactive Exhibits, and non-stop live entertainment on multiple music stages. This year’s event features non-stop musical & culinary entertainment on the Giant Fresh Ideas Stage, Pepsi-Lay's Go-Go Stage, Pepsi Stronger Together World Music Stage, and the Monster 90's Block Party Stage.

“One of America’s Best Barbecue Competitions.” —SAVEUR Magazine “Top Five Can’t Miss Summer Festivals in the Country.” —CNN Travel “One of the Nation’s Best Food Festivals.” —The Huffington Post

Now celebrating its 31st year, The Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle has become one of the largest and most unique food & music festivals in the country. Celebrating the art of cooking and the joy of eating, the Barbecue Battle offers residents of the Greater Washington area and throughout the east coast, the chance to enjoy America’s favorite pastime in our Nation’s Capital. The event has received numerous awards such as being named “One of Five Can’t Miss Summer Festivals in the Country” by CNN, “Top 10 BBQ Event” by The Travel Channel, “One of America’s Best BBQ Competitions” by Saveur Magazine and “An Event Worth Traveling To” by American Bus Association, just to name a few.

Pennsylvania Avenue will be smoking with lots of great BBQ cooked up by America’s Top Chefs from across the country. This two-day festival features teams competing for their share of Cash & Prizes throughout the weekend. Contests include Military Chef Cook-Off benefiting the USO Military Chef cook-off in which attendees will be given the opportunity to taste and vote for their favorite BBQ prepared by Military Chef representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. Other contests include the National Pork BBQ Championship, Smithfield Rib Contest & Perdue Sizzlin' Chicken Contest.

Lots of interactive activities & attractions for families & kids of all ages to enjoy including popular "Giant Kids Zone" featuring Rides & Games, Prizes, Free Ice Cream, Candy & more!Don't miss the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest featuring World Champion Eaters like Joey Chestnut, Oscar Mayer Wiener Mobile, Planters Nutmobile, Sports Action from the Washington Wizards, Mystics, Capitals, Valor, Capital City Go-Go and so much more! PLUS: Giant Cork's to Cap's Microbrew and Wine Tasting and Anheuser-Busch Beer Gardens.

The Taste of Giant Sampling Pavilion, Alliance Smoke Show and Giant Taste of the Season Tent offers a line-up of delicious and tempting free BBQ & Grilled food samples, while Cookbook Authors and Celebrity Chef’s entertain and educate with cooking demonstrations on the popular Giant Demonstration Stage. There’s something for everyone’s musical tastes with an eclectic mix of more than 30 bands on three stages performing Rock, Reggae, Jazz, Blues, R&B and Go-Go. While entertaining so many food, music and fun-lovers, the Giant Barbecue Battle has raised millions of dollars for Washington area Charities and donated tons of food to area Food Banks. This year's Giant BBQ Battle will raise funds for the USO of Metropolitan Washington with the Capital Area Food Bank.

For more information, visit www.BBQDC.com We’ll See You, at the B-B-Q!

KIDS 12 AND UNDER ARE FREE!

See your local Giant Food Store for Free Adult Admission Offer!

Sorry, no pets (service dogs welcome), No bikes/scooters, No food or beverages other than baby formula, water or dietary need requirements.

Event is held Rain or Shine, all sales are final, Sorry No Refunds.