Holy Smokes BBQ Festival

Holy Smokes brings more than 50 pitmasters and chefs from around the country to North Charleston's Riverfront Park for five hours of barbecue, live music, and fundraising for families affected by pediatric brain cancer.

Your ticket covers all-you-can-eat barbecue from four different pitmaster villages, making this one of the easiest ways to taste a wide range of regional barbecue styles without leaving the Lowcountry.

Four Barbecue Villages, No Competition

Holy Smokes is not a barbecue cook-off. There are no turn-in boxes or judges deciding a champion. The point is to eat, meet some of the people behind the pits, and experience several approaches to American barbecue in one place.

The festival divides the cooks among four villages: Traditional, Texas, New School, and Coastal. General Admission gives you unlimited food from all four.

Who's Cooking in 2026

The 2026 lineup mixes some of the best-known names in barbecue with cooks from here in South Carolina and across the country.

The Traditional Village includes Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, Pat Martin of Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint, Peg Leg Porker, Rodney Scott, Sam Jones BBQ, Bobby's BBQ, Fork Grove Barbecue, and Swig & Swine.

The Texas Village includes Evie Mae's Pit Barbecue, Feges BBQ, TRUTH BBQ, Moo's Craft Barbecue, Hoodoo Brown Barbeque, Green Street Smoked Meats, and Wright's Barbecue.

You'll also find Fox Bros Bar-B-Q, Pig Beach BBQ, Tuffy Stone BBQ Provisions, Three Forks BBQ and Home Team BBQ in the New School Village, along with a separate Coastal Village and an additional lineup of cooks serving inside VIP.

General Admission and VIP

General Admission is $95 and includes festival entry, live music, water, and all-you-can-eat food from the four barbecue villages. Other beverages are available for purchase.

VIP tickets are $250 and include everything in General Admission plus entry at 10:30 a.m., a separate VIP area with additional chefs and food, designated VIP parking, and all-inclusive beer, wine, liquor, water, and non-alcoholic drinks.

Tickets will also be sold on festival day if the event has not already sold out, so advance purchase is the safer choice.

Live Music

The 2026 music stage features The Whisky Biscuits and The Betsy Franck Band, with Cameron Williams serving as artist in residence.

Lawn chairs, camping chairs, and picnic blankets are allowed in the designated area near the stage.

Barbecue for a Cause

Holy Smokes started in 2021 with a mission that went beyond bringing great barbecue to Charleston. The festival raises money for families affected by pediatric brain cancer through Hogs for the Cause and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston.

Since the first festival, Holy Smokes has raised more than $460,000 for its beneficiaries. The organizers say the donations generated through Holy Smokes stay in South Carolina.

The festival was spearheaded by a group that includes Aaron Siegel and Taylor Garrigan of Home Team BBQ, Anthony DiBernardo of Swig & Swine, barbecue writer Robert Moss, John F. Davis, and Joe Norton.

Parking and Getting There

General Admission parking is first-come, first-served in lots near Riverfront Park. Because of construction in the area, organizers plan to send final parking information shortly before the festival and strongly recommend rideshare.

A dedicated Uber and Lyft drop-off area will be available. VIP purchasers receive one designated VIP parking pass per order, and accessible parking is also available.

What to Know Before You Go

• Festival: 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
• VIP early entry: 10:30 a.m.
• General Admission: $95
• VIP: $250
• Location: Riverfront Park, 1061 Everglades Drive, North Charleston, SC 29405
• Food: All-you-can-eat barbecue from 50+ pitmasters and chefs
• Weather: Rain or shine
• Allowed: Lawn chairs, camping chairs, picnic blankets, clear bags, and small clutch bags
• Not allowed: Pets other than service animals, outside food and beverages, weapons, or firearms

Details

Location and Map

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