Central Florida BBQ Festivals – Treats for Your Taste Buds

If you like a good BBQ blow-out, then you’ll love all the Central Florida BBQ festivals, contests and cook-outs. 

Due to year round sunshine, professional pit masters and amateurs alike cook up a storm in Florida all year, but especially between November and April.

Central Florida BBQ festivals give you the chance to pig out on Pitmaster specials. What better way to enjoy this classic American cuisine? Treat your taste buds to mouth-watering, award-winning ribs, championship brisket and piggylicious pulled pork.

Central Florida BBQ festivals don’t just stop at BBQ staples though. Fancy a little heat? Try deep-fried jalapeño’s. How about that sweet tooth craving? Deep fried Oreos and deep-fried strawberries will give you the perfect sugar rush.

You’ll find smothered nachos, loaded tater tots and smokin’ sliders amongst other tasty treats. And traditional sides like Southern-Style Collard Greens, sweet beans, green bean casserole and Mac n Cheese.

Family Friendly Central Florida BBQ Festivals

Virtually all Central Florida BBQ festivals are family friendly events and perfect for all ages. Adults will appreciate the quality of food and live entertainment. There’s usually live outdoor concerts and beer tents.

For kiddos, there’s often a bounce house and games. You’ll also often find craft and art vendors.

And did we mention mouth-watering competition level food?

Sanctioned Florida BBQ Contests

Some of the Central Florida BBQ festivals are contests that are sanctioned by Florida BBQ Association. Does being a sanctioned event make a difference to you and I? Well it does, and it doesn’t, kind of!

Health regulations mean we, the public, aren’t able to sample food created for the competition. The food is prepared, presented and judged. Then family and friends of competing teams get to gorge on the goodies.

The winners (Grand Champions) of top-level sanctioning associations, like Florida BBQ Association, qualify for an invitation to larger and more prestigious world championships. They’ll be invited to compete in world championships such as The American Royal, Houston Rodeo Show and the Jack Daniels BBQ World Championship.

That means a sanctioned BBQ contest will attract top-level Pitmasters. And lots of these guys have trucks and stands where you can purchase this delicious award-winning food.

A sanctioned contest generally gives you a lot more choice from top-level BBQ. But don’t let that put you off a good old regular BBQ or backyard get together though.

2026 Central Florida BBQ Festivals

Lakeland PigFest

Join in the good eating and good music for a weekend of fun and food.

When: Friday January 23 2026 – 5pm-10pm | Saturday January 24 2026 10am – 5pm
Where: SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus, 4175 Medulla Rd, Lakeland, FL 33811
Admission: $5 per person, Kids 12 and under free with adult entry.
Web: Lakeland Pigfest

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival

Two days of delicious BBQ, beers, bourbon and fun is coming to Tampa in February.

• BBQ Selection: Pulled pork from whole hogs, ribs, brisket, chickens, sausages and any fixin’ you could imagine.
• Seminars: With Master Distillers, Brewmasters, and Pit Masters From the Deep South.
• Live Rock & Blues Music
• Contests: Tampa’s Best Beer Belly; Drink Like A Lady; Bacon Eating Competition
• All You Care To Taste Beer and Bourbon Tastings: Bourbons and Beers on Tap.
• Games: Giant Jenga, Cornhole and More

Check out the video from a previous event:

Tickets start at $25 for entry only sold on-site, or purchase packages in advance starting at $39 (+ $4.10 fees) which include exclusive tasting experiences, a souvenir tasting glass, unlimited sampling of beer and bourbon, all live entertainment and more. VIP admission starts is $69 for Friday and $89 for Saturday.

When: Friday February 13 2026 – 6pm – 10pm General & VIP Admission | Saturday February 14 2026 – 2pm – 6pm General Admission, VIP Admission Noon – 6pm
Where: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Tampa, Florida
Web: Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Tampa

Ribs on The Ridge

One of the popular local Central Florida BBQ contests, Ribs on the Ridge offers endless food varieties, live music, arts and craft vendors and fun for all the family. Professional and backyard BBQ teams from across Florida and the southeast compete for cash prizes and bragging rights.

When: February 20 & 21 2026
Where: Lake Eva Park, 555 Ledwith Ave Haines City, FL 33844 
Admission: Free
Info: Ribs on the Ridge

Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival

As well as a BBQ competition, there’s live music, a cornhole tournament, classic car show and a kid zone. Great fun event for the whole family.

2026 Festival Events:

• Live Concerts – 11am – 5pm
• Vendors featuring arts & crafts and more
• Cornhole Tournament
• Kidz Fun Zone
• Kidz Grillin’ Competition
• Backyard BBQ Contest
• Hog Calling Contest
• Wing Eating Contest

When: Saturday February 28 2026 9am to 5 pm
Where: Downtown 5th Avenue, Zephyrhills, Florida
Web: Pigz in Z’Hills

Shamrockin’ Fest BBQ & Beer Festival

Sanctioned FBA Event

You’ll get the best of both worlds with this family BBQ & Beer festival. As well as sampling mouthwatering BBQ, chili and sauces from top teams, you’ll enjoy live music, a kids play area, Irish Parade, fire trucks and plenty more vendors. Plus over 20 beers and wines from around the world.

And the proceeds go to the Firefighter Charity of Central Florida, which helps local firefighters who are battling medical issues.

When: Friday March 13 & Saturday March 14 2026
Where: Gator Harley-Davidson, 1745 U.S. Highway 441, Leesburg
Web: Shamrockin’ Fest

Pig on The Pond

Enjoy this 3 day festival in Clermont, with BBQ, a carnival, live music and entertainment, kids zone, competitions and fireworks.

This is the 27th annual Pig on the Pond Festival, which raises funds for local students. Tickets are $3.00 for children, $5 for adults, children under 2 are free. The event is pet friendly for dogs under control and on a leash.

When: March 27 2026: 5-10pm, March 28 2026: 10am-10pm, March 29 2026: 11am-5pm
Where: Waterfront Park, Clermont
Web: Pig on the Pond

Sizzle and Splash BBQ Cook-Off and Festival

Sanctioned FBA Event

Head over to Winter Springs for a festival full of food and fun. There’s live music, food, craft and business vendors, bounce houses for the kids, VIPs and People’s Choice Tasting and more.

When: May 15 & May 16 2026
Where: 1000 Central Winds Dr. Winter Springs, Fl 32708
Web: Sizzle and Splash BBQ Festival

Central Florida BBQ Festivals: Tampa PigJig

What started out as a small fundraiser backyard cook-off in 2011 is now one of the most popular Central Florida BBQ festivals and has raised millions for local causes. Check out their story here.

The event includes live music from headline acts, delicious BBQ and kids games.

When: October 17 2026
Where: Julian B Lane Riverfront Park, 1001 N Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606
Web: Tampa PigJig

Big Belly BBQ Battle

Sanctioned FBA Event

As well as pitmasters competing in chicken, pork, ribs and brisket, there’s also a dessert competition too. There will be lots of vendors to sample delicious eats along with live music and lots of family fun. Proceeds go to local charities, so you can chow down and do some good too!

When: November 12/13 2026
Where: 2525 Frontage Road, Davenport , FL 33837

South Daytona’s BBQ and Bluegrass Festival

Sanctioned FBA Event

South Daytona is host to this annual BBQ festival featuring live music, delicious BBQ and family friendly events

When: November 20/21 2026
Where: 919 Reed Canal Rd, South Daytona, FL 32119

Orange Blossom Revue

Head to the shores of Lake Wailes in Lake Wales and you’ll find delicious food, live music and craft beers. This festival features an array of BBQ and food trucks for every taste.

When: December 4/5 2026
Where: 33 N Lakeshore Blvd. Lake Wales, FL 33853.
Web: Orange Blossom Revue

2026 Central Florida BBQ Festivals
To Be Confirmed

Planes, Tunes & BBQ

Take the whole family along to this kid-friendly event. Not only is there delicious food to tuck into, but there is lots of entertainment, a drone show and Seaplane-A-Palooza flying competitions. Seating is limited, but you are welcome to take chairs or blankets to sit on.

• Friday, February 28th: 4pm – 9pm
  • BBQ, Food & Merch Vendors
  • Live Music
• Saturday, March 1st: 11am– 10pm
  • Live Music
  • BBQ, Food & Merch Vendors
  • Seaplane Contests (11AM)
  • Drone Show

Free Parking Garage: 200 N. Sinclair Ave. Tavares.

When: 
Where: Wooten Park, 100 E Ruby St, Tavares, FL 32278
Admission: Free

Heart of Florida Health Center BBQ Bash

Sanctioned FBA Event

Get ready for the first annual Heart of Florida Health Center BBQ Bash is being held in Ocala in April.

When: 
Where: 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd Ocala, FL 34470
Web: HFHC

Clermont Main Street Brews & BBQ

Downtown Clermont is host to this fun day filled with delicious BBQ and craft beers accompanied by live music and entertainment.

• Craft Beer Tastings
• BBQ competitions
• Classic Car Show
• Local Vendors & Food Trucks

When: 
Where: 756 W. Montrose Street, Clermont, FL 34711
Web: Clermont Brews & BBA

Rock N Brews BBQ Festival

Professional and Backyard Divisions, Kids Cook-off, Ancillary Contest, Bonfire Party and more. There will be live music from local bands on Friday and Saturday, plus a Craft Fair on Saturday. Proceeds are raised for the Freedom Tour for mobile relief for those in need in Polk County.

Free general entry, plus tickets on sale for People’s Choice BBQ Tasting at the Riverfront. People’s Choice Tent is $20 a ticket and includes tastings of pork shoulder from all the BBQ Teams.

When: 
Where: Camp Mack, a Guy Harvey Lodge, Marina & RV Resort
Web: 

Plant City Pig Jam

There will be some of the best Southern finger lickin’ barbecue around, live music, kids play area, rock climbing wall, face-painting, moon walk and other family activities. A great day out for all the family.

When: 
Where: 1401 Gordon Food Service Dr, Plant City, FL 33563
Website: Plant City Pig Jam

Did we miss any Central Florida BBQ events or contests? Let us know and we’ll add them to the list!

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An awesome alternative to hotels for comfort, space and privacy!