32nd Annual Giant BBQ Battle - Food Festival with Live Music

  • America's Food & Music Festival

The 32nd Annual Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle Returns to Pennsylvania Ave on June 22-23 with free food samples, live music, & more!

By 32nd Annual Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle

Date and time

June 22 · 11am - June 23 · 7pm EDT

Location

Giant National Capital BBQ Battle

555 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004

Performers

Headliners

  • 32nd Annual Giant BBQ Battle

More Performers

  • White Ford Bronco
  • EU featuring Sugar Bear
  • Be'la dona
  • Defadi
  • The Crank Crusaders & Raheem Vaughn
  • Black Alley
  • The Chuck Brown Band
  • Dupont Brass Band
  • Soul Searchers
  • Juice
  • Jimmie's Chicken Shack
  • I & I Riddim
  • Shi-Queeta Lee
  • Nathan's World Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest
  • The Reagan Years
  • Dr. Bacon
  • Image Band
  • Tina Turner Celebration Show
  • Whitney Houston Celebration Show
  • Bad Influence
  • BMX Pro Stunt Show
  • Skateboard Stunts

Refund Policy

No Refunds

About this event

The 32nd Annual Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle is back on June 22-23!

Kick off summer and eat your way down Historic Pennsylvania Avenue at one of the largest weekend summer celebrations in the country! Foodies, families and friends will taste the triumph at this legendary two-day festival of flavors and fun.


Your taste buds are going to be the champion at the 32nd annual Giant BBQ Battle - so get ready to enjoy free product & food samples from over 100 free food samples in multiple pavilions, including the Taste of Giant Sampling Pavilion, the Giant World of Flavors, Alliance Smoke Show, Taste of Summer and more. Don't forget to wash it down with micro-brews and wines in the Giant Corks to Caps Tasting Tent and beverage stations located primely across the event. Don't forget to stop by for a little aloha at the all new Tiki Bar with George's Mixes frozen drinks to fight the heat. You will also witness some serious feats of flavor live as pitmasters from all over the country compete for glory and prizes in the ultimate test of BBQ mastery with $45,000 in prizes to be won. Also witness the scholarship announcement of the winners of the Pepsi Future Chef Contest!


Across three entertainment stages (Pepsi Passport to Summer stage, Pepsi-Lay’s DC Go-Go stage and the Monster Energy 80s Block Party), there will be live music performances including Experience Unlimited, White Ford Bronco, The Reagan Years, The Crank Crusaders, Be’la Dona, Chuck Brown Band, and many more. And don't forget about the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, olympic BMX performances, Art to Go-Go’s Spoken Word to Go-Go contest finalists, BBQ competition award ceremonies, Afrobeats, rock, reggae, jazz, blues and the list goes on! On the Giant Fresh Ideas Cooking Demo Stage, top chefs will provide live cooking demonstrations. There will also be medal-worthy BMX and Skateboarding freestyle shows all weekend long on the Monster Energy quarter-pipe. Talk about a concert with a view!


It'll be an unforgettable weekend filled with fun, music, community and delicious BBQ. So mark your calendar for Saturday, June 22 (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.) and Sunday, June 23, 2023 (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)! America's Food and Music Festival awaits you! The full schedule of events can be found at BBQDC.com.

Frequently asked questions

What day is the ticket for?

Your ticket is good one day, either Saturday June 22 or Sunday June 23.

What are the event hours?

Saturday June 22, 2024 - 11am to 9pm Sunday June 23, 2024 - 11 am to 7pm

Can I bring my pet?

Although we love pets, due to the crowds and hot asphalt surface, pets are not permitted on the event site. Service Animals are always welcomed with proper documentation!

Can I bring my Bike?

This year we are promoting Bike to the Battle by offering free Bike Valet Parking. See event site map for Bike parking location, email info@bbqdc.com for details.

Can I get a refund?

All ticket sales are final, and the event is held rain or shine. You can use your ticket either day of the event weekend or gift it to a friend.

Will beverages be available for sale?

Yes, Microbrews, Wine, Prepared Cocktails, Sodas, Lemonade and Water will all be available for sale.

Can I bring a lawn chair, cooler, bottles?

This year we will have extra seating near our stages and dining areas. We do not allow chairs, coolers or glass bottles on the event site to ensure compliance with DC health and safety code.

What samples are free?

Literally, (metric) tons of free food and beverage samples will be given away free of charge. All sampling is while supplies last. There will be numerous sampling tents throughout the event site providing BBQ & Grilled Food samples along with all your favorite salty snacks, deserts, drinks & more.

Can I try the competition BBQ?

Some of the best BBQ restaurants in the country will be selling at the event, including some who are also competing! While BBQ Teams will be cooking for certified judges throughout the weekend DC Health Code doesn't permit them to sell or sample to attendees.

What's the best way to get there?

Metro is by far the easiest way to get to the event. Closest stations are Smithsonian or Archives. You can also Bike to the Battle, with free valet bike parking. If driving use 555 Pennsylvania Ave, NW as a navigational destination. Visit BBQDC.com for a list of parking garages near the event.

How can I get more information?

Visit www.BBQDC.com or email us at info@BBQDC.com

Can I volunteer, sponsor or get involved in other ways as an event participant?

We'd love to have you involved! Please go to our site (bbqdc.com) and clock the "get involved' form.

How do I enter the contest?

You can visit www.bbqdc.com for detailed information to download a contest application.

Are there things for kids to do at the event?

Yes! This is a family friendly event, kids 12 & under are free! Kids will enjoy sports activities from the Washington Capitals, Mystics, Wizards, DC United and others. There will be exciting BMX stunt bike & skateboarding shows, free food, candy & ice cream samples, fun arts activities & more!

Tags

Organized by

32nd Annual Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle

Let the Games Begin!!!

Be entertained and amazed by everything BBQ, music and fun this June 22nd and 23rd at the 32nd Annual Giant Barbecue Battle in downtown DC. The 2024 Giant BBQ Battle will be pulling out all the stops to mark three decades of bringing together the best BBQ from around the country, celebrity and competitive pitmasters, chefs and cookbook authors, tempting microbrews and vintage wines, plentiful free food samples, and great music, entertainment and fun for all on Pennsylvania Ave.

Whether your pleasure is smokey ribs, juicy brisket, BBQ chicken, succulent pulled pork or plant-based BBQ, you’ll find all your favorites at the Giant BBQ Battle. The competition will be fierce as teams face off in their quest for big cash prizes and bragging rights in the heart of the Nation’s Capital. This year’s BBQ Battle is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet so stay tuned and visit bbqdc.com for updates on all the fun to come. We look forward to seeing you at the BBQ!

$10 – $225