Now in its 31st year, the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle continues to be a fan favorite with DC area residents and tourists alike. The Giant BBQ Battle will take place on Saturday, June 24 (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.) and Sunday, June 25, 2023 (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) on Pennsylvania Avenue, between 3rd and 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC.
In 2023, Festival goers will have the opportunity to experience all things BBQ as Pennsylvania Avenue will become the epicenter of BBQ pork-fection. Top BBQ legends from across the country will compete in multiple contests like the Perdue Sizzlin’ Chicken Contest, National Pork Championship, Smokin’ with Smithfield, PA Steak Cook-off Kingsford Kids Que.
There’s even a plant based Beyond Beef Cooking Contest and Military Chef Cook-Off benefiting USO. Meet celebrity chefs & TV Personalities like Pitmaster Tuffy Stone, and TV Personality Chef Ming Tsai and celebrate the weekend with special attractions like the Monster Energy 90’s Block Party featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff, Giant Corks to Caps Tasting Tent, and the Monumental Sports Zone featuring Washington Wizards, Capitals, Mystics and Capital City Go-Go.
Is it a street festival? Is it a trade show? A music fest? Or a fundraiser for good causes? What you really need to know is it’s outdoor fun for all on the first weekend of summer each year in the heart of the nation’s capital, shared with family, friends and friends you haven’t met yet.
It’s the 31st Annual Giant® BBQ Battle and there’s more to taste, experience and enjoy than you can fit into a summer weekend in DC! This year’s Giant® BBQ Battle is even bigger and better than ever celebrating 31 wonderful years of bringing people together in the spirit of BBQ, enjoying the best of summer fun with delicious food, refreshing libations, fabulous music and two days of non-stop entertainment for all!
Enjoy a plethora of delicious free BBQ and grilled food samples and summer treats in the Taste of Giant Sampling Pavilion and the Giant Taste of the Season and Alliance Smoke Show Pavilions and learn from BBQ Pitmasters on the Giant Fresh Ideas Stage. Then check out the Giant Chill Zone featuring kid’s activities, rides, games ice cream and more. Dance to great bands playing non-stop all weekend long on the Pepsi Lay’s Go-Go Stage, the Pepsi Stronger Together World Music Stage and the Monster Energy 90’s Block Party featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff and more. Stop by the Pepsi Stronger Together Empowerment Zone with community-focused non- Witness the Giant National BBQ Championship sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS,) Perdue Sizzlin’ Chicken Contest, Smokin’ with Smithfield Rib Contest, National Pork BBQ Championship Contest, National Turkey Federation Turkey Smoke Contest, National Beef Steak Cook- Off, the Beyond Meat BBQ Championship and the Jr. Chef Contest – presented by Kingsford. Be sure to vote for your favorite team in the USO Military Chef’s Cook-Off.
To quench your thirst, head over to the Giant Corks to Caps Micro-Brew and Wine sampling tent or the Budweiser Beverage Garden, then get some sports action on with the Washington Capitals, Wizards, Mystics and Capital City Go-Go’s. Enjoy lots of free product & food samples in the Taste of Giant Sampling Pavilion, Alliance Smoke Show, Giant World of Flavors, Taste of Summer, Health & Wellness & Giant Chill Zone Tents.
Enjoy live entertainment on two stages including the Pepsi Stronger Together World Music Stage featuring International music and dance and the Pepsi-Lay’s Go-Go Stage starring Raheem DeVaughn and The Crank Crusaders, EU, Chuck Brown Band, Mambo Sauce, Be’la Dona, BYB, Black Alley & many more.
Be sure to check out Nathan’s World-Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, Planter’s Nutmobile, the Oscar Mayer Weiner Mobile, and lots more interactive exhibits. You can even learn how to cook like a pro from celebrity chefs on the Giant Fresh Ideas Stage The Giant BBQ Battle celebrates community, unity and inclusiveness and has raised millions of dollars for District charities over the years including the USO, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Capital Area Food Bank.
Bring friends and family and enjoy this one-of-a-kind weekend long, food and music festival. It’s sure to be the best event of the summer. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to BBQDC. com.