SmokeSlam Returns: Bringing BBQ, Bands & Big Appetites to the River

At the heart of SmokeSlam are the Live Fire Activations, where 10 rotating pitmasters (think: Al Frugoni, Thyron Matthews, Sunny Moody, Peg Leg Porker, and more) will be cooking up all kinds of smoky goodness from morning to night.

And here’s the best part: general admission ticket holders can sample straight from the pits! You’ll get to taste a constantly changing lineup of brisket, pulled pork, ribs, wings, and more, while soaking up expert tips at live demos from some of the best in the BBQ world.

And yes, there are two major barbecue festivals happening the same weekend. If you're interested in comparing the two, check out our World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest guide. Support both or one–we're not here to pit (pun-intended) them against each other but rather lay out the overview of both events to help you decide what's more appealing for you. 

On Saturday at 4:15 p.m., the festival turns up the heat with a Major League Eating competition: a pulled pork slider world record attempt. Top-ranked eaters like Patrick Bertoletti, Miki Sudo, and James Webb will take the stage, going head-to-head for $10,000 in prize money and BBQ glory. Beroletti is currently ranked the #2 competitive eater in the world.

Of course, no Memphis festival is complete without a killer music lineup. SmokeSlam delivers with three days of performances on the Main Stage, including:

• Thursday: Shane Smith and The Saints, Waylon Wyatt, Mark Edgar Stuart
• Friday: The Revivalists, Southern Avenue, The MDs, Jombi
• Saturday: Big & Rich, Neon Mooners, Cyrena Wages

You can also hop on carnival rides, play games, browse the BBQ Bazaar for artisanal goodies, or catch the nightly fireworks show.

Ticket Options:

• 3-Day General Admission: $68.34
• Single Day General Admission: $31.89
• 3-Day VIP Passes: $226.88
• Single Day VIP Pass: $81.09

*All fees included in price

Want to level up your festival experience? VIP ticket holders get all kinds of exclusive perks:

• Private meet-and-greets with stars hosted by Gina Neely with Tony Ramirez, Kirk Maizer, and more
• Priority access to Live Fire sampling
• VIP-only panels and Q&As with Melissa Cookston and Netflix BBQ Showdown cast
• Exclusive cocktails (like The Smoke Slammer)
• Ammenties like VIP lounge with seating, private and air-conditioned restrooms, exclusive bar, and more

All ticket options are available to purchase online now.