15 of the Best BBQ Festivals Across the U.S.

If you’re on an eternal quest for the best ‘cue around (beyond what you’re grilling up in your backyard, of course), you’ve officially found it. We’re sending you on a trail of the hottest hog fests, best barbecue parties and smokiest battlefields that America has to offer. We’ve hooked you up with the best grills, BBQing gadgets and oodles of hot-hot-hot recipes, but now it’s time to watch and learn from the greats. National BBQ parties kick into high gear in May and sizzle along through October. Taste a slice of Americana and hit up these BBQ fests, offering great local food, showcasing smoky traditions and bringing together community. Smokin’.

1. International Bar-B-Q Fest (Owensboro, KY): Since 1979, the Owensboro riverfront has become a mecca for pitmasters everywhere. Local restaurants, grilling teams and “backyard bar-b-q chefs” (hey, that could be you!) gather to compete in The Backyard Cookoff and show off top secret barbecue recipes. Over 80,000 people will be able to sample their masterpieces. On top of eating world famous barbecue, festival goers can indulge in live music, arts and crafts, a car show and good Southern hospitality. (via What’s Up Owensboro)

2. Memphis in May World Championship BBQ Contest (Memphis, TN): If you happen to be in Memphis during the month of May, you are in for the party of a lifetime! That’s right, this festival kicks up its hooves and makes sure it’s filled with enough barbecue, revelry and fun to make anyone go hog wild. For those participating in the barbecue contest, it’s not taken lightly. These pitmasters sweat over hot grills and go all out to create clever and creative kitchens that double as party booths outfitted with disco balls, DJs and drinks. Don’t miss out on the famed Miss Piggie Idol; it’s sure to instigate a lot of squeals! (via Too Sauced to Pork)

3. Houston Livestock Show + Rodeo World’s Championship Barbecue (Houston, TX): In Texas, it’s all about pork ribs, beef brisket and chicken, all flavored with aromatic woods like hickory, mesquite, oak and the skills of fierce barbecue masters. So why the choco-dipped jalapeños? Before the bucking broncos take to the arena and rodeo competitors dust off their chaps, about 300 teams prep to heat up the heart of Texas with some mouthwatering barbecue and innovative treats to be crowned the most delicious in categories like Most Creative Food, Best Fried Food, Best Breakfast Food, Best Food-on-a-Stick, Best Dessert — do you think they need judges next year? (Photo via Chron)

4. Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue (Lynchburg, TN): Considered one of the most prestigious barbecue competitions in the world, smoke masters come to Jack Daniel’s Hollow to compete for $10,000, and it’s no walk in the park to get there. Culinary categories for the coveted title of Grand Champion include chicken, pork ribs, pork shoulder, butts, beef brisket, dessert, Cook’s Choice and Jack Daniel’s sauce. 25,000 discerning fans from around the world gather to celebrate the tradition of barbecue and sample local yums from across the country. A full day of smoking, seasoning, searing and indulging in world-class barbecue is sure to satisfy your ‘cue cravings. (via Jack Daniel’s)

5. Big Apple Barbecue Block Party (New York, NY): Bring an empty stomach and a picnic blanket to celebrate some of America’s best culinary and musical traditions, right in the heart of the Big Apple. Madison Square is where you get a weekend’s worth of peace, love and barbecue, attracting some of the country’s top pitmasters and local NYC comfort food hotspots to dish out their award-winning barbecue. Take home more than a full tummy, and hit up the cooking stages and seminars to learn how to make Austin-inspired BBQ tacos and hearty summer salads. (photo via TimeOut)

6. The Barbecue Festival (Lexington, NC): North Carolina is known as the “cradle of ‘cue,” and Lexington is the barbecue capital of the world. No wonder this fest doesn’t need a catchy name, it’s simply the best barbecue you can get. The main street is closed off for over 400 exhibitors to showcase anything from arts and crafts to down-home cooking, six stages are set for entertainment, three main tents are chopping up barbecue, fixin’ slaw and frying up pigtail fries and the kids can get rowdy at the BBQ Carnival. Come see what the “cradle of the ‘cue” has to offer (including annual “pig-themed sand sculptures”) and you may never want to leave. (via The Barbecue Festival)

7. Beach, Boogie and BBQ Festival (Myrtle Beach, SC): As the race to see who has the best food in the state heats up Labor Day weekend, be sure you hit the beach on an empty stomach. This two-day festival is filled with mouthwatering barbecue, live entertainment and a rousing cornhole match. (Time to start practicing in your backyard now, we reckon.) Competitors can showcase their smoking skills in the Barbecue Championship, Sauce Competition and Wing Competition. Even kids can compete in a junior competition. (via Think Myrtle Beach)

8. Big Pig Jig (Vienna, GA): Welcome to Georgia’s oldest barbecue contest, packing a porky punch in down-home Vienna. The Big Pig Jig was born in 1982 when “a group of self-professed gourmets made wagers on who among them could cook the most succulent pig.” That year, only whole hogs were cooked and teams competed for $1,000 in prize money. Today, the Big Pig Jig is really getting piggy with it with over 400 entries of hogs, shoulders, ribs, barbecue sauce, barbecued chicken, $16,000 in prize money and over 10,000 festival goers… all in the name of pork! (via Hungry Passport)

9. The American Royal World Series of Barbecue (Kansas City, MO): This festival really knocks BBQ outta the park! The American Royal is an annual eight-week season of rodeo, livestock shows, agricultural activities and the world’s largest barbecue competition — with over 500 teams competing and 70,000 spectators. If you’re serious about ‘cue this prestigious world series is a championship you want to see. For those of you competing, may the smoke be ever in your favor, and for those who just want some good ‘cue, Kansas City is where it’s at! (Photo via The Cooking Channel)

10. Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival (On tour throughout the U.S.): At the Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Fest, you’re invited to pick your pleasure, kick back and relax, ’cause this tour makes its rounds across the country. Admission buys you a glass so you can enjoy an all-you-can-taste sampling of over 60 beers and 40 bourbons, and don’t forget to wash it all down with some Southern-loving barbecue. Even learn some DIY butchering tips with classes from local masters o’ meat. (via Leigh Brown and Associates)

11. Cochon 555 (Kicking off in Chicago, IL): This annual touring event, focused on bringing heritage pigs to dinner tables across America, is true pig love. Cochon555 features five chefs, five pigs and five winemakers to promote sustainable farming of heritage breed pigs and whole animal utilization. This one-of-a-kind traveling competition is not to go untasted; eat good food, drink fine wine and get to know good swine in a sustainable way. (via The Village Voice)

12. Hogs for The Cause (New Orleans, LA): This re-creation of a traditional Southern pig roast invites prized pork gourmands and amateur BBQers and bakers (yes, those are pig macarons pictured above) to battle it out in categories such as Whole Hog, Porkpourri, Ribs, and Shoulder all for the sake of raising funds to support families and research for pediatric brain cancer. Louisiana’s Pork Champion is decided by festival goers who deposit donations into the piggy banks of their favorite team. Hogs for The Cause may put on the best cocktail and barbecue party in NOLA, but they are also a premier funding source for pediatric brain cancer and outreach services in the United States. (Photo via Nola.com)

13. Stumptown BBQ Smoke Off (Whitefish, MT): The great Smoke Off takes place under the stunning peaks of Glacier National Park in “big sky” country. Brought to barbecue lovers by Montana’s only authentic pit BBQ joint Piggyback BBQ, this festival is a pork-tastic time! Whether you’re competing or simply want to get your barbecue fix, Stumptown turns into the greatest smoketown two nights outta the year. (Photo via Piggyback BBQ)

14. Oinktoberfest (Clarence, NY): Just outside of Buffalo, you’ll find a festival that celebrates America’s traditions in barbecue. From the Carolina’s vinegar-based sauces to Texas’s beef brisket, Oinktoberfest has something for everyone to love. Competitors take on the following food categories: chicken, pork ribs, pork butt/shoulder and beef brisket to tally up their scores and determine the Grand Champion. New this year is a whole hog competition along with entertainment. In the great outdoors with great barbecue, this is one festival you can pig out at. (via Oinktoberfest)

15. Ohio Smoked Meat and BBQ Festival (Nelsonville, OH): For a dose of small-town Americana, get yourself to the Ohio Smoked Meat and BBQ Fest and sample some of the best chicken, ribs, pork and brisket in the Midwest. Competitors sling their meat for a chance to win over $10,000 in cash money. You could say the winner is really brining home the bacon.

‘Cue us in on your fave fests that pack a porky punch, in the comments below!

Nothing says reality TV like drama, intrigue, and betrayal. At least, according to The Traitors! The hit TV show is back for season 3 and the star-studded cast is so good, I'm sure this will be the best season yet. Host Alan Cumming returns, along with 21 reality TV stars who will be competing for up to $250 thousand.

But according to the official synopsis, "hidden amongst the Faithful contestants are the Traitors, whose goal is to eliminate the Faithful and claim the prize for themselves. Under the cover of darkness, the Traitors ‘murder’ contestants one by one, but if the Faithful can banish all the Traitors before the end of the game, they’ll split the incredible prize." Here's everything you need to know about The Traitors season 3.

  • The Traitors season 3 coming back to Peacock with Alan Cumming as host.
  • The show will premiere in January 2025.
  • The Traitors cast includes Dylan Efron, Dorinda Medley, Chrishell Stause, Tom Sandoval, and Gabby Windey.

When can I watch The Traitors season 3?

Chris Haston/NBC

The Traitors Season 3 Release Date

The Traitors season 3 premieres on Peacock on January 9, 2025. Season 1 premiered in January 2023, while season 2 premiered in January 2024, so the timeline makes sense!

Who is on Traitors season 3?

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The Traitors | Season 3 Cast Reveal | Peacock Original

The Traitors Season 3 Cast

The Traitors season 3 cast includes Bachelor in Paradise's Wells Adams, actor Sam Asghari,The Real Housewives of Dubai's Chanel Ayan, RuPaul's Drag Race's Bob the Drag Queen, Real Housewives of New Jersey's Dolores Catania, Survivor's Jeremy Collins, Real Housewives of Potomac's Robyn Dixon, Dylan Efron, Total Divas' Nikki Garcia, The Biggest Loser's Bob Harper, Big Brother's Britney Haynes, Survivor's "Boston" Rob Mariano,Real Housewives of New York City's Dorinda Medley, Summer House's Ciara Miller, Royal Lord Ivar Mountbatten, Big Brother's Danielle Reyes, Vanderpump Rules' Tom Sandoval, Selling Sunset's Chrishell Stause, Survivor's Tony Vlachos, Survivor's Carolyn Wiger and The Bachelorette's Gabby Windey.

What is The Traitors about?

Peacock

The Traitors Season 3 Plot

The Traitors is all about who can out-trick their components in the dreamiest murder mystery game. A variety of celebs gather in a Scottish castle, along with host Alan Cumming, to complete a series of missions and have the chance to win up to $250 thousand. While the Traitors are trying to "murder" the Faithful one by one, the Faithful work to unmask and banish the Traitors. Only one team can win!

How many seasons of Traitors are there?

Chris Haston/NBC

There are currently two seasons of The Traitors available to stream on Peacock now. You can stream season 3 starting January 9!

Let us know your thoughts and hopes for The Traitors season 3 on Facebook and check out The Best Reality TV Shows To Watch Right Now!

This post has been updated.

Out of all the celebrity breakups I wasn't expecting, Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes definitely tops the list. They were clearly very close, and Shawn even admitted that all of his songs are about Camila, even the ones he released before they dated! (Okay, cute). The couple split at the end of 2021, but after a very buzzy summer following rumors that Sabrina Carpenter's Short 'n Sweet references their love triangle, Shawn Mendes revealed Camila is still one of his closest friends.

  • Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes dated from 2019-2021, then reportedly reconnected in 2023.
  • Shawn recently opened up about how Camila is "one of my closest best friends."
  • He also reveals she's still the first person he would call in an emergency.

What does Shawn Mendes say about Camila Cabello?

Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for MTV

In a new interview with The New York Times, Shawn Mendes reveals just how much Camila Cabello means to him, and that it “bugs” him that the internet thinks they're “against each other in a weird way.”

"[She's] one of my closest best friends...I have nerves just even speaking about it, just what people would say," he reveals. “But honestly, if something was to happen in my family and if something was to happen to me, she’d probably be the first person I call, to this day...Our relationship is teaching me what love means, in a big way.”

The interview comes after Shawn Mendes spoke on his sexuality (something that, for some reason, has been a topic of conversation on the internet for years), and after the duo was in the spotlight following the release of Sabrina Carpenter's Short 'n Sweet, which seems to reference a love triangle between the three of them. Fans analyzed lyrics like "Oh I leave quite an impression" in "Taste" after Camila Cabello dyed her hair blonde, and "Your car drove itself from L.A. to her thighs" in "Coincidence" when Camila teased a lyric from "June Gloom" that says "If she's so amazing, why are you on this side of town?"

Have Shawn Mendes and Camila broken up?

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This isn't the first time the pair has broken the internet, and one of my favorite moments was when they performed "Señorita" at the AMAs in 2019. The chemistry! The vocals! The audience reactions!

And in November of 2021, the pair made a joint statement (which was posted to their individual Instagram stories) announcing their breakup.

"Hey guys, we’ve decided to end our romantic relationship but our love for one another as humans is stronger than ever,” the statement said. “We started our relationship as best friends and will continue to be best friends. We so appreciate your support from the beginning and moving forward. Camila and Shawn.”

Are Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello together again?

Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes might have broken up, but they're definitely still in each other's lives. And there were rumors in 2023 that they had romantically reconnected. “They’ve practically moved in with each other,” an US Weekly sourcesaid last summer. “They each have their own places, but they’re spending every day they can together and traveling together.”

The pair has been spotted together more and more frequently, at Coachella, then at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, and even in the middle of New York City. The Us Weekly source also mentions that “it feels like a new relationship.”

However, according to a new source, the pair has broken up again — this time for good. “Shawn and Camila have a lot of history and they tested the waters again after coming back into each other’s lives," the source told The Sun. "In reality, both of them know they aren’t right for each other romantically and now they just want to move on.”

Despite the will-they-won't-they of it all, it seems like Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello will always be in each other's lives!

When did Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello date?

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After being friends for years (and that steamy VMAs performance), Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello dated from 2019-2021.

How old are Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello?

JC Olivera/Getty Images

Shawn Mendes is 26 years old and was born on August 8, 1998, while 27-year-old Camila Cabello was born on March 3, 1997. There's just a one-year age gap between them!

What do you think about Shawn's comments on his relationship with Camila? Let us know in the comments and follow us on Facebook for more breaking celebrity news.

This image has been updated.

For Thanksgiving entertaining, we are all in on easy appetizers – AKA finger foods – you can nosh on so you won’t be starving while you wait for the main event. These Thanksgiving finger foods are delicious, easy to make, and are sure to be crowd pleasers. Whether you choose to serve them as side dishes or starters, everyone will want a bite! Here are some Thanksgiving finger food ideas for not getting hangry as those final dishes finish cooking.

Our Favorite Thanksgiving Finger Foods

Brit + Co

Crescent-Roll Cornucopia

This board might be full of good eats, but the handmade cornucopia is definitely the main focal point. We're obsessed. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Mediterranean Chicken Skewers

Bring some summer flavor into Thanksgiving Day with these delicious skewers. We'd recommend serving it with tzatziki sauce and fresh veggies. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Bacon Pastry Twists

These savory pastry twists are super easy to make, thanks to the store-bought dough. Extra points if you make them with a coordinating cheese dip! (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Easy Fig + Brie Crostini

All you really need for this delicious Thanksgiving finger food is bread + jam + cheese. Not only is it easy and delicious, but it looks way fancier than it truly is, which is always a good idea. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Sweet Potato + Goat Cheese + Honey Bites

The nuttiness of the sweet potatoes, the creamy finish of the goat cheese, and the sweet honey here make for a delicious appetizer you can make no matter the time of year. Add a dash of sea salt for an unexpected touch! (via Brit + Co)

StableDiffusion

Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip

Because everyone loves a good Buffalo dip – pair it with chips and veggie sticks to make this snack a certified Thanksgiving finger food. (via Brit + Co)

Parmigiano Reggiano

Chocolate-Covered Cheese Bites

Get a head start on dessert with a dish that brings two of our favorite foods together: chocolate and cheese. It doesn't get better than this. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Mini Baked Potatoes

Thanksgiving isn't complete without baked potatoes, but if you're maxxed out on side dishes, add the starch to your appetizers instead! Sour cream, cheese, and bacon are still definitely encouraged. (via Brit + Co)

Ron Lach / PEXELS

The Easiest Baked Brie

Baked brie is a fancy addition to any table, but unlike a lot of our favorite upscale dishes, it's easier than you might think to add to your menu. Here's how to hack it. (via Brit + Co)

The Gourmet RD

Beet Hummus

Bright and cheery, this festive dip just needs carrot sticks or pita triangles for the appetizer to truly be one of the best Thanksgiving finger foods. (via The Gourmet RD)

Healthy Maven

Rosemary Cashew Bar Nuts

Savor these cashews that can be made ahead of time, and then pulled out at the last minute. (via the Healthy Maven)

The View from Great Island

Baked Brie with Maple, Apples, and Pecans

We're suckers for baked brie, especially one that screams 'holidays' like this one that could easily double as dessert. (via The View from Great Island)

Full of Plants

Vegan Pesto Swirl Cream Cheese

This pretty dish is the kind of make-ahead appetizer that will appeal to all kinds of eaters. Swap in store-bought vegan cream cheese to save some time. (via Full of Plants)

Chelsea’s Messy Apron

Pistachio Crusted Goat Cheese Ball

Fresh herbs and toasted nuts make this goat cheese log an easy make-ahead Thanksgiving appetizer to serve with crackers. (via Chelsea’s Messy Apron)

Host the Toast

Pesto Parmesan Spinach Balls

All that these vegetarian balls need to start the party is to be speared with toothpicks. We love Thanksgiving finger foods like this for serving a crowd! (via Host the Toast)

Damn Delicious

Maple Bacon Cheddar Biscuits

Snack on these sweet and savory biscuits as an appetizer on Thanksgiving. Then, slice them for leftover turkey sandwiches the next day! (via Damn Delicious)

SweetPhi

5-Ingredient Buffalo Cauliflower Nuggets

No need to worry about eating too many veggies when you make these savory bites as a starter! (via SweetPhi)

A Magical Mess

Garlic and Onion Pull-Apart Cheese Bread

We think everyone can get behind bread and cheese before a Thanksgiving feast. (via A Magical Mess)

Spicy Southern Kitchen

Warm Turnip Green Dip

Get some extra greens in (with bacon on top, of course) in a dip to scoop up with crackers before starting the big feast! (via Spicy Southern Kitchen)

Peace, Love, and Low Carb

Keto Sausage Balls

Trying to keep up with keto during the holidays? This is one easy appetizer that will set you up for success. (via Peace, Love, and Low Carb)

The Cookie Rookie

Baked Ham & Cheese Mozzarella Sticks

Bake and pull — that’s the idea behind this cheesy winning appetizer. (via The Cookie Rookie)

Completely Delicious

Pecan and Gouda Cheese Ball with Cranberries

A cheese ball is always a good idea! It'll be gone and scooped all the way up before you know it. (via Completely Delicious)

Garnish with Lemon

Candied Bacon

Okay, there's nothing nutritious about candied bacon, but it sure guarantees the meal begins with a bang. (via Garnish with Lemon)

Vanilla and Bean

Mushroom Crostini with Whipped Goat Cheese

The savory mushrooms on these crostinis work so well with the lighter, creamier goat cheese spread. (via Vanilla and Bean)

How Sweet Eats

Maple Cream & Apple Butter Brie Cheese

Maple, melty brie, and apple butter? Thanksgiving finger foods don't get more autumnal than that. (via How Sweet Eats)

Make sure to plan your Thanksgiving & holiday parties with Brit + Co on Pinterest, and check out our Easy Thanksgiving Desserts piece for even more ideas for the table!

This post has been updated.