The Holy Smokes Lowcountry Barbecue Festival will return for its fifth annual event Saturday, Nov. 8, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Riverfront Park in North Charleston, featuring more than 50 of the nation’s most acclaimed pitmasters and chefs for a one-of-a-kind culinary experience.
The event features four unique barbecue “villages” — Texas, Traditional, New School, and Coastal — where guests can taste the full spectrum of American barbecue. Expect legendary names like Rodney Scott, Chris Lilly, Pat Martin, and Jonathan and Justin Fox firing up alongside new faces such as Dave Bonner (Green Street Smoked Meats), Jill Mathias (Chez Nous), and Mike Lata (FIG and The Ordinary).
From slow-smoked whole hog and Texas-style brisket to grilled Lowcountry seafood fresh off the coast, the festival has something for everyone. General admission tickets include all-you-can-eat access across all four villages and live music. VIP guests can enjoy an exclusive experience featuring specialty dishes, craft drinks and access to an all-inclusive lounge and bar.
Since its inception, Holy Smokes has been about more than just great barbecue. Over the past five years, the event has raised more than $400,000 for its charity partners, Hogs for the Cause and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston.
Hogs for the Cause is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports families facing the unimaginable, helping cover expenses for children battling pediatric brain cancer. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston provides a “home away from home” for families whose children are receiving treatment across the street at MUSC’s Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital.
For more information and tickets, visit www.holysmokeschs.com.
EVENT DETAILS
Tickets:
- General Admission: $95 (includes food and entertainment; drinks available for purchase)
- VIP: $250 (includes all food and drinks, special VIP bites and private bar)
- Kids ages 7–13: $25 | Ages 6 and under: Free
2025 CULINARY LINEUP
TRADITIONAL
Bessinger's BBQ | Michael Bessinger, Charleston, S.C.
Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q | Chris, Jacob and Andrew Lilly, Decatur, Ala.
Bobby’s BBQ | Tay Nelson, Fountain Inn, S.C.
Fork Grove Barbecue | Dylan Cooke, Anderson, S.C.
Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint | Pat Martin, Nashville, Tenn.
Peg Leg Porker | Carey Bringle, Nashville, Tenn.
Rodney Scott's BBQ | Rodney Scott, Charleston, S.C.
Sam Jones BBQ | Sam Jones and Michael Letchworth, Winterville and Raleigh, N.C.
Swig & Swine | Anthony DiBernardo, Charleston, S.C.
TEXAS
Evie Mae's Pit Barbecue | Arnis and Mallory Robbins, Wolfforth, Texas, and Miramar Beach, Fla.
Feges BBQ | Patrick Feges and Erin Smith, Houston, Texas
Green Street Smoked Meats | Dave Bonner, Chicago, Ill.
Hoodoo Brown Barbeque | Cody Sperry, Ridgefield, Conn.
Moo's Craft Barbecue | Andrew and Michelle Muñoz, Los Angeles, Calif.
Truth BBQ | Leonard Botello IV, Houston, Texas
Wright’s Barbecue | Jordan Wright, Fayetteville, Ark.
ZZQ Texas Craft Barbeque | Chris Fultz, Richmond, Va.
NEW SCHOOL
Fox Bros Bar-B-Q | Jonathan and Justin Fox, Atlanta, Ga.
Holy City Hogs | Tank Jackson, Charleston, S.C.
Home Team BBQ | Aaron Siegel, Taylor Garrigan and Jonathan Banta, Charleston, S.C.
Mama Jean's Barbecue | Madison Ruckel, Roanoke, Va.
Pig Beach BBQ | Matt Abdoo and Shane McBride, Queens, N.Y.
COASTAL
Blue Oak BBQ | Ronnie Evans and Philip Moseley, New Orleans, La.
City Limits Barbeque | Robbie Robinson, West Columbia, S.C.
DAS BBQ | Stephen Franklin, Atlanta, Ga.
Elliott’s BBQ Lounge | Elliott Moss, Florence, S.C.
Southern Smoke BBQ | Matt Register, Garland, N.C.
Southern Soul Barbeque | Harrison Sapp and Griffin Bufkin, St. Simons Island, Ga.
Three Forks BBQ and Catering | Capt. Jamie Hough, Charleston, S.C.
Ubon's Barbeque | Leslie Roark Scott, Yazoo City, Miss.
VIP
17th Street Barbecue | Amy Mills, Murphysboro, Ill.
Chez Nous | Jill Mathias, Charleston, S.C.
Chubby Fish | James London, Charleston, S.C.
FIG & The Ordinary | Mike Lata, Charleston, S.C.
Fugazzi, Porchetta Shop, Le Farfalle & da Toscano | Michael Toscano, Charleston, S.C., and New York, N.Y.
King BBQ | Shuai and Corrie Wang, North Charleston, S.C.
Lola Rose & The Grocery | Kevin Johnson, Charleston, S.C.
PITMASTER VILLAGE EXPERIENCES
Hog & Hominy | Michael Hudman and Andy Ticer, Memphis, Tenn.
Helen | Rob McDaniel, Birmingham, Ala.
Pêche & Cochon | Ryan Prewitt and Stephen Stryjewski, New Orleans, La.
