The Long Beach BBQ Festival

The Long Beach BBQ Festival 2026 is one of Southern California’s major food and barbecue events, bringing together pitmasters, live entertainment, and waterfront festival activities in downtown Long Beach.

Event Details

• Dates: Saturday, May 23 – Sunday, May 24, 2026
• Time: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• VIP Entry: 11:00 AM early access
• Location: Rainbow Lagoon, 400 E. Shoreline Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802

Website: https://longbeachbbqfest.com/

What to Expect

• BBQ vendors and pitmasters serving:
  • Smoked ribs
  • Pulled pork
  • Brisket
  • BBQ chicken
  • Burgers
  • BBQ sides and desserts
• Live music performances
• Craft beverages
• Shopping vendors
• Family-friendly activities
• BBQ cooking demonstrations and pitmaster showcases
• VIP tasting experiences with additional food access and perks.

Featured BBQ Vendors (examples)

The festival lineup includes vendors and BBQ teams such as:

• Axiom Kitchen
• Big Brian’s Meats
• Big Rah’s BBQ
• Big Sal’s Up In Smoke
• Big J’s SoCal BBQ
• Bully’s Craft BBQ
• Califas BBQ
• Casey Family BBQ and more.

Festival Atmosphere

The event combines waterfront Long Beach views, barbecue culture, music, and community activities, making it popular for families, food enthusiasts, and visitors during Memorial Day weekend. Part of the event also supports community initiatives through organizers and nonprofit partnerships.