A new year signals the return of barbecue festivals in Central Florida. You’ll find several opportunities to experience mouthwatering barbecue during your next visit to Polk County. Plan to attend one of our popular annual competitions such as Lakeland PigFest, Smoke on the Water and Ribs on the Ridge. These annual events take place in January and February, what is considered the “unofficial” BBQ season here in Polk County. You’ll find details for each of these events and more below.
Barbecue Festivals in January
Bring your appetite, as many of the competing teams will be selling their barbecue specialties for your enjoyment.
Lakeland PigFest
Lakeland PigFest takes place on Friday evening and Saturday, January 24-25, 2025 at SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus in Lakeland. This festival is the area’s largest barbecue competition and admission is $5. Attendees exchange cash for “Pig Bucks”, the official currency of the Lakeland PigFest, to purchase food.
More than 150 teams compete during a weekend of good eating, good friends and good tunes. Professional teams travel from all over the U.S. to compete in four categories: Ribs, Chicken, Pork and Brisket. Lakeland PigFest is a Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) sanctioned event. KCBS is the largest international organization of barbecue enthusiasts.
Barbecue Festivals in February
If your schedules don’t align with the January festivals, have no fear! Below you’ll find details about barbecue events in February.
Grills Gone Wild
Grills Gone Wild BBQ Competition is sanctioned by the Florida BBQ Association.
This year’s event will be held at the Tom Fellows Community Center. Come out to enjoy vendors, entertainment and the best BBQ in the south! Vendors will be open Friday Feb 7 from 5 pm – 9 pm & Saturday Feb 8 from 10 am – 5 pm.
Ribs on the Ridge
Ribs on the Ridge takes place at Lake Eva Park in Haines City on February 14-15, 2025. The City of Haines City and Miracle Toyota present the 17th annual Ribs on the Ridge BBQ Competition, held at Lake Eva Park. This event draws professional and amateur barbecue teams from across Florida and other states to compete for cash prizes, trophies, and bragging rights. This year’s event will be the 3rd and final leg of the inaugural Triple Crown of BBQ, where teams that compete in Pig Fest, Grills Gone Wild, and Ribs on the Ridge will also vie for additional prizes.
Peebles Bar-B-Q in Auburndale
Tiger BBQ
Welcome back the Detroit Tigers to Lakeland at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium with a good old-fashion Tiger BBQ. February 20, 2025 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Enjoy a world famous menu of traditional southern BBQ along with a Souvenir Mug! This is a family-friendly event. Purchase tickets HERE!
Area Barbecue Restaurants
If you can’t make it to one of these barbecue festivals, never fear. You can feed your barbecue habit all year long in Polk County, as our area offers numerous barbecue restaurants. Well known, popular establishments that fired up in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s include Peebles Bar-B-Q and Jimbo’s Pit Bar B-Q respectively. Brock’s Smoke Hut has been recognized by National Barbecue News as one of the “Best of the Best Barbecue Restaurants in America.” Smokin Jim’s House of Bar-B-Q in Auburndale received TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence in 2014. This round-up barely scratches the surface of BBQ options so check out our Eat & Drink section for more restaurant options.
Interested in more Central Florida events? Check out our Events Calendar or follow us on Instagram!
