Tennessee cook-offs
Tennessee BBQ centers on Memphis, where the Memphis Barbecue Network (MBN) sanctions the regional whole-hog and pork-shoulder calendar. The Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest each May is one of the country's marquee BBQ events. Beyond Memphis, KCBS-sanctioned contests run from Nashville to the eastern mountains; outdoor season is May through October.
TN Whiskey Trail Chili Cook-off
Fri, Jul 10, 2026
Historic Uptown Shelbyville
Shelbyville, TN
Tennessee State Chili Championship
Sat, Jul 11, 2026
Tennessee State Chili Championship
Shelbyville, TN
Grillin' on the River Steak Cookoff
Sat, Jul 11, 2026
Sugar Tree Steak Grounds
Sugar Tree, TN
TN State Chili Cook-off
Sat, Jul 11, 2026
Historic Uptown Shelbyville
Shelbyville, TN
Big BBQ Bash
Sep 25 – Sep 26, 2026
Townsend Trail
Townsend, TN
Bartlett Festival, BBQ Contest & Car Show
Oct 2 – Oct 3, 2026
Bartlett BBQ Grounds
Bartlett, TN
Hub City BBQ Fest
Oct 2 – Oct 3, 2026
Hub City Brewing
Jackson, TN
Arlington BBQ Burnout
Fri, Oct 2, 2026
Arlington Steak Grounds
Arlington, TN
Arlington BBQ Burnout
Sat, Oct 3, 2026
Arlington Steak Grounds
Arlington, TN
Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue (Competitor's Series)
Oct 9 – Oct 10, 2026
Tanyard Hill Road
Lynchburg, TN
The Lodge Steak Cookoff
Fri, Oct 16, 2026
Gray Steak Grounds
Gray, TN
Whole Hog Festival Cookoff
Sat, Oct 17, 2026
Spring Hill Steak Grounds
Spring Hill, TN
The Lodge Steak Cookoff
Sat, Oct 17, 2026
Gray Steak Grounds
Gray, TN
Bolivar BBQ Blowout
Oct 23 – Oct 24, 2026
Bolivar BBQ Grounds
Bolivar, TN
Red White & Que - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (Day 1)
Oct 23 – Oct 24, 2026
Hub City Brewing
Jackson, TN
Red White & Que - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES
Fri, Oct 23, 2026
Hub City Brewing
Jackson, TN
Humboldt, TN Veterans Home Activities Fundraiser
Fri, Oct 23, 2026
Humboldt Steak Grounds
Humboldt, TN
Red White & Que - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (Day 2)
Oct 24 – Oct 25, 2026
Hub City Brewing
Jackson, TN
Humboldt, TN Veterans Home Activities Fundraiser
Sat, Oct 24, 2026
Humboldt Steak Grounds
Humboldt, TN
Big Kahuna Wing Festival
Sat, Oct 24, 2026
World's Fair Park
Knoxville, TN
Frosty Butts BBQ Throwdown
Nov 6 – Nov 7, 2026
Hub City Brewing
Jackson, TN
Warriors & Wisdom 4: Return the Favor Steak Cookoff
Fri, Nov 6, 2026
Collierville Steak Grounds
Collierville, TN
Warriors & Wisdom 4: Return the Favor Steak Cookoff
Sat, Nov 7, 2026
Collierville Steak Grounds
Collierville, TN