BBQ Fest on the Neuse returns to downtown Kinston May 1-2
BBQ Fest on the Neuse will return to downtown Kinston May 1-2, bringing barbecue, live music, vendors, carnival rides, family activities and the Hog Happenin’ BBQ Cook-off back to the city’s downtown district.
The 2026 festival will be open to the public from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 1, and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 2. Festival activities will take place across several blocks of downtown Kinston between Pearson Park and Queen Street, with the festival’s main GPS point listed as 100 N. Herritage St.
Admission is free, though visitors are encouraged to bring money for food, drinks, arts and crafts, and other items from local businesses and festival vendors. The event is expected to include more than 150 vendors, live music, a Kid’s Fest, carnival rides, a car show, a bike show, a BMX stunt show, dance demonstrations and a wine, beer and spirits garden.
“This event is about more than competition barbecue,” said Tammy Kelly, Hog Happenin’ Cook-off chair. “It brings cooks, families, visitors and local businesses together in downtown Kinston. The cook-off is a tradition people look forward to every year, and we are excited to welcome teams and the community back for another great BBQ Fest on the Neuse.”
Festival activities begin Thursday, April 30, with a pre-festival partner event, So Fun Amusements Carnival, scheduled from 5 to 10 p.m. in Pearson Park.
Friday’s schedule includes vendors, carnival rides, Kid’s Fest activities, a cruise-in for vehicles 2001 and older, and the wine, beer and spirits garden. Shuttle service from Historic Grainger Stadium, 400 E. Grainger Ave., will begin at 4:45 p.m. Friday. The opening ceremony is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on the Herritage Street Stage, followed by the welcome and announcement of cook teams and sponsors at 6 p.m.
Friday night entertainment includes country recording artist Jay Tyndall at 7 p.m. and Nashville recording artist Dylan Schneider at 8:30 p.m. on the Herritage Street Stage. The festival closes at 10 p.m. Friday, with shuttle service running until 10:30 p.m.
Saturday’s schedule begins with Carolina Classic Cruisers Car Show registration at 7:30 a.m., followed by shuttle service beginning at 8:45 a.m. from Historic Grainger Stadium. Vendors open at 9 a.m., along with the open car and truck show, CSS Neuse Museum Free Day, CSS Neuse II tours, Farmers Market activities and tours of The O’Neil.
Kid’s Fest, carnival rides, the wine, beer and spirits garden, dance entertainment and the Bikers for Christ Bike Show are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. BBQ sandwiches will be available for sale beginning at 11 a.m. and continuing until sold out.
The keys to the city will be given by the mayor of Kinston at noon. The Hog Happenin’ BBQ Cook-off Awards Ceremony is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday on the Herritage Street Stage, along with the Paint the Town Awards. Additional Saturday events include the Carolina Classic Cruisers Awards at 2 p.m., the Bikers for Christ Awards Ceremony at 3 p.m., and No Quarter Brass Band at 4 p.m.
BBQ Fest on the Neuse is a rain-or-shine event. Festival parking will be outside the closed festival area, with shuttle service available from Historic Grainger Stadium on Friday and Saturday. Handicap parking will be available on West Blount Street and East Caswell Street. Pets, golf carts, four wheelers, and ATVs are not allowed at the festival, except for service animals.
For more information, visit kinstonbbq.com.
