Tampa Bay BBQ Festival - Saturday

Description

Saturday, May 23, 2026

Get ready for a full day of smoke, music, flavor, and waterfront fun at the Tampa Bay Barbecue Festival & Competition at Vinoy Park in Downtown St. Petersburg. From 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM, festivalgoers can enjoy award-winning barbecue, craft beer, cocktails, live music, interactive art, games, and one of Florida’s top barbecue competitions — all set against the beautiful St. Pete waterfront.

Saturday’s lineup features live performances by Rodney Atkins, Austin Snell, Noah Hunton, and Owen Riegling, bringing country hits and high-energy performances to the main stage throughout the day.

The festival grounds will be packed with over 20 food vendors and some of the region’s best pitmasters serving up smoky brisket, ribs, pulled pork, chicken, sausages, mac and cheese, cornbread, and more. Guests can sample barbecue from competing teams including Big Red BBQ, Meathead’s BBQ, Southern Smoked by JP, Liberty Smokehouse, Son of a Brisket, Uncle G’s BBQ, and many more.

Saturday is also competition day, where barbecue teams compete in four judged categories:
• Brisket
• Pulled Pork
• Chicken
• Ribs

A panel of trained judges will score entries based on flavor, tenderness, and texture while guests can cast their vote for the People’s Choice Winner by scanning QR codes at each competitor booth.

Beyond the food, attendees can enjoy:
• Live mural artists creating artwork in real time
• Craft beer and cocktail bars
• Cornhole and festival games
• Live DJs and entertainment
• Waterfront views and outdoor seating areas

Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and spend the day soaking in the atmosphere. Dogs are welcome if leashed and cared for by their owners.

Festival Hours:
Saturday, May 23, 2026
1:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Vinoy Park | St. Petersburg, FL

Ticket options range from Free RSVP General Admission to VIP, Boss Hog VIP, Platinum VIP, and Pit Pass experiences.

FAQ: Tampa Bay Barbecue Festival FAQ