Skip to main content
Meetings
search search search search search search
search
Home

MAP IT

mapit icon close icon
2025 Giant BBQ Battle

Reasons to Attend the 33rd Annual Giant BBQ Battle



The annual Giant BBQ Battle is back on Pennsylvania Avenue, June 21-22.

Kick off summer at one of the largest food and music festivals in the country: the 33rd Annual Giant BBQ Battle. Join foodies, families and friends as you eat your way down Historic Pennsylvania Avenue at the legendary two-day festival. Whether you're a die-hard BBQ fan or just looking for a weekend full of flavor and fun, the Giant BBQ Battle promises an unforgettable experience for the entire family.

01

A Foodie’s Dream

Sampling Pavilion: A large crowd gathered around a sampling pavilion at the Giant BBQ Battle, watching a cooking demonstration under a white tent.

Ultimately, your taste buds are going to be the winners of the Giant BBQ Battle. Take advantage of plates and plates of free food samples from more than 100 brand names at the Taste of Giant Sampling Pavilion, the Giant World of Flavors, the Giant Taste of Summer, Giant Treat Street, the Alliance Smoke Show and more. With a variety of delicious foods available all weekend long, it's a foodie’s dream come true.

New this year, the Battle is proud to support the incredible work of José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen (WCK) with an exclusive WCK Restaurant Row featuring five hugely popular Washington eateries: Yellow, Chiko, Joia Burger, Colada Shop and Falafel Inc. Each restaurant has pledged 20% of their proceeds from the entire weekend to WCK.

02

BBQ Showdown

2025 Giant BBQ Battle

Witness pitmasters from across the country compete in live cooking competitions: The USO Military Chef Cook-Off sponsored by the National Pork Board, the Roseda Best Beef Contest, the National Pork BBQ Championship, the Bachan’s Chef’s Choice BBQ Contest, the Impossible Foods BBQ Championship and the DC City Wide First Responder Cookoff.

03

Live Music

Live Performance by Black Alley: A singer from the band Black Alley performing energetically on stage, holding a microphone, with musicians in the background.

Get ready to bite to the beat at the Giant BBQ Battle, where you can dance to non-stop live music. Performers have included EU with Sugar Bear, Junkyard Band, Big Tony & Trouble Funk and many more. Expect a variety of genres such as rock, reggae, go-go, R&B and world music, which means there's something for everyone's musical taste buds at this festival too.

04

Monster Energy Dance Party Stage

BMX Stunt Show: A BMX rider performing a mid-air stunt over a ramp in an urban setting, with high-rise buildings and a blue sky in the background.

The packed entertainment schedule includes live rock, reggae, go-go, R&B and electronic dance music performances across three stages: the Pepsi Lay's Art to Go-Go Stage, the Pepsi Summer Grilling Stage and the Monster Energy Dance Stage.

05

Enjoy Libation Stations

Casual Dining at the Event: A group of six diverse people, smiling and waving, seated around a table enjoying barbecue.

Indulge in a variety of micro-brews and wines from well-known brands like Corona and Clos Du Bois at the Giant Corks to Caps Tent, the Corona Beach and the Pepsi Refreshment Zone.

06

Family Fun

A lively group of eight people posing happily on stage at the Giant National BBQ Battle, with some holding microphones and one flashing a peace sign.

Explore DC's vibrant community at the Art to Go-Go Village, where you can enjoy live artist painting, a Jumbotron Screen and the Go-Go Museum Bus. Dive into creativity with a 360 Photo Booth and relish the excitement of poetry at the Spoken Word to Go-Go Finals. Plus, kids under 12 enjoy free admission.

07

Ultimate Sports Experience

Festival Scene with Capitol Building: A busy festival scene on a sunny day with crowds of people walking between vendor tents and booths, the U.S. Capitol visible in the distance.

The Monumental Sports Zone is a fan's dream, with opportunities to play as well as catch live action from athletes, including local pro teams such as the Capitals, Wizards, Mystics, Capital City Go-Go and D.C. United. Sports enthusiasts will not want to skip this area. This year’s festivities also include live break-dancers and Country Line Dancing sponsored by Monster Energy as well as a Nathan’s World Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.

08

Live Cooking Demos

Cooking Demonstration: Two chefs, one male and one female, conducting a cooking demonstration at a BBQ event, with a crowd of spectators watching from shaded seating.

At the Giant Fresh Ideas Cooking Demo Stage, get ready for an exciting lineup of cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs alongside cookbook authors. Don’t miss a chance to learn their best tips and tricks.

09

Bike to the Battle

Bicycle Valet Service: Rows of bicycles parked neatly in a valet service area at an outdoor event, with people milling about in the background.

As always, food fans can also enjoy the DC Restaurant Row or sample microbrews and delicious wines in the Giant Corks to Caps area, while those looking to immerse themselves in arts and culture will find it at the Art to Go-Go Village, with its special artists painting live on-site and a 360-degree photo booth. The battle is also once again partnering with Bike to the Battle to encourage biking to the event.

Partner Content
Partner Content