For the past 30 years, tens of thousands of people have flocked to our nation’s capital to celebrate the “Official Start of Summer” at the Giant® National Capital BARBECUE BATTLE®, one of the largest and most unique food and music festivals in the country. It’s a celebration of unity, community, inclusiveness, and cooperation in our Nation’s Capital.
On June 25th & 26th, 2022, Historic Pennsylvania Avenue, between 3rd & 7th Streets, NW, Washington, DC will become the epicenter of BBQ perfection, bringing together delicious BBQ, delectable summer specialties, nationally recognized BBQ contests, popular bands, celebrity chefs & more.
Washington’s tastiest summer celebration pays tribute to everything barbecue and truly embodies the best that America has to offer. In addition to bringing together thousands of BBQ fans from around the country, the Giant® BARBECUE BATTLE® has raised millions of dollars for area charities. This year’s event will benefit the USO and Capital Area Food Bank.
For two days, amazing sights, sounds, and the sweet hickory aroma of mouth-watering barbecue replace the usual hustle & bustle of city life. Enjoy live music throughout the weekend with 30 great bands playing rock, reggae, jazz, blues, R&B and DC’s own go-go music on three stages.
This year’s entertainment highlights include American Authors, Laine Hardy, DJ Envy, DJ Stakz, USO Show Troupe, and much more on the Monster Energy Stage, Vertical Horizon, Jordy, Trevor Daniel, See-I, The Night Hawks, Bad Influence and more on the Pepsi Stronger Together Stage, and Experience Unlimited, Chuck Brown band, Bela Dona, Back Yard band, Soul Searchers, DJ Rico, DJ Shablast, and others on the Pepsi-lay’s Sound stage. In addition, BBQ cooking demonstrations, celebrity appearances, and an array of unique exhibits and activities round out a weekend of fun. Special attractions include the beloved Oscar Mayer Wiener Mobile, Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, Mr. Peanut Tour, Comcast Xfinity Techno Pavilion and more. There will also be plenty of summer sports action from Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, Mystics, and Baltimore Brigade in the Monumental Sports Zone. New this year, “Taste of the UAE” featuring Master BBQ Chef Hattem Matter.
Make sure to arrive hungry as the event offers plenty of free BBQ & Grilled Food Samples in the Taste of Giant® Sampling Pavilion, Giant® Local Flavors and the new Giant® Taste of the Season Pavilions as well as throughout the event site. Popular BBQ Restaurants from around the country like Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster BBQ Restaurant will also be on-hand serving up delicious BBQ chicken, pork, ribs and brisket.
To quench everyone’s thirst, the event offers lots of summertime favorites and popular non-alcoholic Pepsi Products. You can SAMPLE Fine Wines and Micro-Brews in Giant® Corks to Caps, Wine and Micro-Brew Sampling Tent, ENJOY your favorite Beer or Hard Seltzer in the Anhauser-Busch Libation Station, RELAX at Claffey’s Cocktail Beach (a virtual oasis where you can relax and sip your favorite Claffey’s Cocktails), along with Q Tonics Mixology Station.
The high-stakes Giant® National Barbecue Championship Cooking Contest takes place all weekend long. Barbecue legends like Myron Mixon, Tuffy Stone, and Moe Cason from TV’s “BBQ Pit Masters Show” compete side-by-side with other top BBQ chefs and teams from around the country and the world. Teams cook off in multiple cooking contests including Giant National BBQ Championship (KCBS Sanctioned, Beef, Chicken, Pork), Beyond Meat BBQ Championship, National Steak Cookoff presented by Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative, Smokin’ with Smithfield, Perdue Sizzlin’ Chicken Contest, National Pork Championship, Cookery 202 Jr. Chef Competition presented by Kingsford and the Pepsi Stronger Together Restaurant Rebuild.
The 30th Annual Giant® National Capital BARBECUE BATTLE® is heating up to be the Biggest and Best Tasting Yet! You can purchase tickets in advance at BBQDC.com or at the Gate, Day of Show so mark your calendar for June 25th and 26th and bring the whole family to DC’s Favorite Food & Music Celebration. We’ll See You at the B-B-Q!
Learn More at Washington.org.
