Ready to win tickets to the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival in Cary, North Carolina? Keep reading because I’ll show you how! This August, enjoy the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival in Cary, North Carolina. If beer, bourbon, BBQ, and sunshine sound like your idea of a good time, mark your calendar for Saturday, August 1st, 2026. The festival returns to Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary for its 7th year. It is a summer dream come true. I have been before, and I can tell you this is so much more than just meat and drinks. Yes, there is plenty of both.
About the Festival
I’m already craving a pulled pork sliced-back-end hand and a small batch bourbon in the other. That’s exactly how this festival is meant to be enjoyed. If smoky flavors, craft drinks, and laid back Southern vibes are your love language, the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival deserves a spot on your summer calendar. I have been several times, and I am so excited it is returning to Cary in 2026.
This beloved festival brings together 60-plus beers, 40 bourbons, and all the pit-cooked barbecue your Southern heart can handle. It is set against the stunning outdoor backdrop of the Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Expect smoky air, cold drinks, live music, and a crowd that knows how to savor every bite.
This year, the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival takes place on Friday, July 31st and Saturday, August 1st, 2026. Festivities kick off Friday evening from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM with both VIP and General Admission sessions. On Saturday, VIP guests can enjoy early access from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, while General Admission runs from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, giving everyone plenty of time to sip, sample, and soak in the smoky summer vibes.
What You Can Expect
If you come hungry, you’re doing it right. The Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival serves up everything a true barbecue lover dreams of. From a tasting theater to slow-smoked brisket, saucy fall-off-the-bone ribs, juicy pulled pork, and classic Southern sides and fixings. Whether you’re devoted to tangy Carolina-style vinegar sauce or prefer a rich, thicker sauce, there’s a flavor here with your name on it. While vegetarian sides and artisan vendors are available, let’s be honest: this festival is all about the meat and the drinks. Mac and cheese, anyone? It’s truly every North Carolina resident’s summer dream!
And the drinks do not disappoint. With over 60 beers and 40 bourbons available for tasting, your souvenir glass becomes your passport to an unforgettable sampling experience. From bold, barrel-aged bourbons to crisp, refreshing craft brews, every pour is included with admission. This festival encourages you to sip your way through some of the best selections around. Want to dive deeper into the craft behind the flavors? Make time for the Tasting Theater, where Master Distillers, Brewmasters, and Pit Masters from across the Deep South host engaging, interactive seminars filled with storytelling, expertise, and plenty of Southern charm.
More to See and Do!
Beyond the tastings, the festival is packed with experiences. Each guest receives a souvenir glass for all you care to taste beer and bourbon as you move from table to table. BBQ vendors serve up generous portions at approachable prices, with everything from whole hog pulled pork and brisket to ribs, chicken, sausages, and all the classic fixings you can imagine.
A fan favorite, the Shrine of Swine, returns with whole hogs featured each session, pork worship at its finest. When you are ready for a break from eating and sipping, head to the Cochon Carnival. This lively gaming area features oversized fun like giant Jenga, cornhole, Connect Four, and more. Live rock, blues, and bluegrass music on the main stage keeps the energy going all day, making it hard not to dance on the lawn. And don’t miss the vendor marketplace, where you will find everything from breweriana and hot sauces to BBQ gear, cookware, and other foodie finds to take home.
Why You Can’t Miss It
Because summer calls for something fun, this is a festival you don’t want to miss. Where else can you sip unlimited beer and bourbon, feast on pit-smoked barbecue, catch live music, and soak up laid-back summer vibes all in one place? It’s bold flavors, good times, and a weekend you’ll be talking about long after the last bite. Want to snag your tickets? Use code LEX10 at checkout for 10% off. You can purchase tickets here.
Feeling lucky? Enter to win a pair of free tickets and see if fortune favors your taste buds. Two lucky winners will be selected. Be sure to enter below and get ready to celebrate the bold flavors, live music, and laid-back community vibes that make the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival in Cary truly unforgettable.
ENTER THE CONTEST HERE
With Love,
Lex Paige
