2026 Pinehurst Barbecue Festival: “Pitmaster Invitational”
September 6 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The 2026 Pinehurst Barbecue Festival is a Celebration of Taste and Tradition, featuring seven of North Carolina’s most accomplished pitmasters in one of the most picturesque settings in the state. Join in the Village of Pinehurst over Labor Day weekend, Friday, September 4th-Sunday, September 6th! Presented by US. Foods, Pinehurst Resort, Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen, Lin Hutaff’s Pinehurst Realty Group and Our State magazine, the three-day festival, staged in the Village of Pinehurst, offers a unique culinary experience of mouthwatering barbecue meats and traditional Southern sides.
Pinehurst Barbecue Festival Events
Friday, September 4, 2026:
High On The Hog Gourmet
Pitmaster Dinner
Pinehurst Fair Barn
6:00pm-8:30pm
Saturday, September 5, 2026
”Q”-School Grilling Class
Moore County Airport
11:00am-1:00pm
Bourbon & Bites
Carolina Hall, Carolina Hotel
5:00pm-7:00pm
Sunday, September 6, 2026: “Pitmaster Invitational” in the Village of Pinehurst: Be a part of the the premier event for the Pinehurst Barbecue Festival will feature seven of the Carolinas’ finest barbecue Pitmasters, who will craft select barbecue samples. Each early-bird and general admission ticket includes one sample and Southern side from each Pitmaster, as well as the opportunity to enjoy craft and domestic beer, duty free spirit sampling, sauce and rub vendors from across the state, Got To Be NC Vendors, and entertainment.
Early Admission*: 11:00am
General Admission: 12pm Noon
Event Ends: 4:00pm
The Pitmaster Invitational Includes:
One Barbecue Sample & Southern Side from Seven of North Carolina’s Finest Pitmasters
Duty Free Spirit Sampling
Barbecue Sauce & Rub Sampling
Got to Be NC and Local Vendors
Craft & Domestic Beer
*Pig Out Sampling Tickets include two (2) Samples & Sides from Each Pitmaster and early entry.
Ticket Options:
General Admission Ticket: $62.45 (including $2.45 fee)
Early Entry Ticket: $72.74 (including $2.74 Fee)-Begin sampling at 11AM
Military/First Responder Ticket: $52.16 (including $2.16 fee)-Military/First Responder Ticket Can Begin Sampling at 12:00 Noon. Military/First Responder ID Required.
Kids Sampling Ticket – 12 & Under-Free
“Pig Out” Sampling Ticket: $124.19 (including $4.19 fee)- Pig Out Sampling Tickets provide entry at 11:00am, and two (2) visits to each Pitmaster. (Double Punch!)
Feel free to contact with any questions you may have about the Pinehurst Barbecue Festival at email: info@pinehurstbarbecuefestival.com. For those interested in being a vendor, email info@pinehurstbarbecuefestival.com or text 910.528.7101 for more information. For full details on each event and to secure your tickets, visit https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/PinehurstBarbecueFestival
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