One Of The Largest BBQ Festivals In The U.S. Takes Place Each Year In This Tiny City In Nevada
The Best Dam Barbecue Challenge in Boulder City is a free, annual Memorial Day weekend festival featuring BBQ competitions, live entertainment, and family-friendly attractions.
We look forward to barbecuing season each year. We can't think of a better way to celebrate than by attending one of the nation's best BBQ festivals. Taking place every year in Boulder City, the Best Dam Barbecue Challenge attracts thousands of visitors to this quaint city every Memorial Day weekend. Filled with delicious eats, live entertainment, and plenty of attractions to keep you busy, this festival is not to be missed. The best part? Admission is free of charge, so be sure to mark your calendars for this amazing event.
Taking place every Memorial Day Weekend is one seriously tasty event that every carnivore can appreciate. The Best Dam Barbecue Challenge is an amazing festival dedicated to all things BBQ, and you'll definitely want to check it out.
Located in Boulder City's historic Bicentennial Park, this fun-filled festival has been a beloved attraction since it first began in 2005. It's a tradition that thousands of people attend every single year, traveling from all over the country in order to participate in the BBQ challenge or just indulge in some mighty fine eats.
Every year, 30 to 40 barbecue teams roll into Boulder City and set up their smokers. They'll work for two days to come up with their own culinary masterpieces, which are then given to the festival's panel of judges to taste.
This festival is no joke for hardcore barbecuers! The event is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, and teams compete for their share of $8,500 in cash prizes that are awarded to only the best of the best.
Of course, visitors to the festival get to enjoy all of the sights, sounds, and delicious smells that come with the barbecue contest. Whether you prefer a smothered rack of ribs or a juicy pulled pork sandwich, this festival has all the fixins. All you have to do is bring a hearty appetite!
Additionally, the festival also boasts attractions like a family fun zone, the "Best Dam Car Show", and live musical entertainment. It's a weekend filled with non-stop fun, and there's something for everyone to appreciate.
Take a peek at previous event footage from Mary's What's Up With That?:
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Each year, this BBQ challenge in Virginia City takes place at the end of May on Memorial Day weekend. This is one epic festival that you definitely don't want to miss out on, so check out all the details on the Rotary Club of Boulder City website.
Have you attended Boulder City's famous Best Dam Barbecue Challenge before? Let us know your favorite part of your experience at this epic Nevada BBQ festival in the comments section!
Our state is chock full of amazing events and you can learn about more of them by checking out our list of unique festivals everyone in Nevada should experience once.
If you are looking for a nice way to recover from a day of BBQ decadence, take a drive on the scenic Valley of Fire Scenic Byway. See why this is one of our favorite scenic roads in Nevada in this video:
If you've been looking for the best festivals during fall in Nevada, you've landed in the right place. Our list of events includes Nevada fall festivals all over the state during the months of September, October, and November of 2024. So, you may wonder, "Where is there a fall festival near me?" Well, read on - you're sure to find something that will interest you among those listed, and they'll certainly help you get into the autumnal spirit!
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1. Great Reno Balloon Race - Reno, September 6-8, 2024
There are a number of fall festivals near Reno that are worth checking out and one of them is the Great Reno Balloon Race! This hot air balloon festival happens every year and it's one of the nation's largest. Best of all, it's free!
2. Hofbrauhaus Oktoberfest - Las Vegas, Weekends, September 13 - October 31, 2024
If you're looking for fall events near Las Vegas, there are plenty of those to choose from, too! Fall is a great time for drinking beer and celebrating Oktoberfest in various ways, and you can do exactly that on weekends in September in October at Las Vegas' Hofbrauhaus Oktoberfest!
3. Pahrump Fall Festival - Pahrump, September 19-22, 2024
Another great fall festival in Nevada is the annual Pahrump Fall Festival in Pahrump! This fall festival includes a parade, carnival rides, a rodeo, food and drinks, vendors, and hot air balloons. Don't miss it!
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4. Street Vibrations Motorcycle Festival - Reno, Tahoe, Carson City, & Virginia City, September 26-29, 2024
Street Vibrations Motorcycle Festival is a huge annual event that attracts over 35,000 motorcycle enthusiasts. It includes lots and lots of motorcycles, poker tournaments, live music, and more, in several Nevada cities.
5. Life is Beautiful Music and Arts Festival - Las Vegas, September 27-28, 2024
Life is Beautiful Music and Arts Festival is a large-scale, annual music and arts festival in Las Vegas! This year, headliners include Justice, Peggy Gou, and LCD Soundsystem, plus Toro y Moi, Thundercat, and dozens of other national and international acts.
Las Vegas PRIDE is celebrating its 41st year this year, and it's going to be an incredible celebration. Enjoy pool parties, a parade, music, trivia, food, and general camaraderie. This is always a ton of fun and one of the best festivals in October in Nevada.
7. The Great Italian Festival - Reno, October 12-13, 2024
The 42nd Annual Great Italian Festival is going to be spectacular - and filling, too. Dine on incredible Italian food while you celebrate Italian-American heritage!
8. Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival - Las Vegas, October 11-13, 2024
The Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival is now in its 30th year in Las Vegas! You'll love interacting with the costumed performers and checking out all the unique vendors and shows. If you want to stay overnight, there are camping options, too.
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9. Las Vegas Book Festival - Las Vegas, October 19, 2024
Do you love books? Then you'll love the Las Vegas Book Festival! Enjoy presentations by authors from all genres, and geek out with other readers about the books you love best.
10. Beatty Days Festival - Beatty, October 25-27, 2024
Beatty Days is an annual festival in Beatty that celebrates everything about this small Nevada town. Enjoy music, a 5k run, cornhole and horseshoe tournaments, a car show, a parade, a chili cookoff, vendors, and so much more. This event is fun for the whole family!
Nevada Day has been happening in Carson City every year since 1938 to celebrate Nevada's statehood. In fact, it's the largest statehood celebration in the nation! Enjoy hot air balloons, a parade, contests, vendors, and food, and celebrate Nevada with your fellow Nevadans!
12. Dia de los Muertos Festival at Springs Preserve - Las Vegas, November 1-3, 2024
The best Day of the Dead event in Nevada is, without a doubt, the Dia de los Muertos Festival at Springs Preserve. This event includes altars, artists, costumes, food, music, and so much more to celebrate this very special holiday.
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13. Vegas Valley Comic Book Festival - Las Vegas, November 2, 2024
Comic book enthusiasts from all over the state and the nation come to Las Vegas for the Vegas Valley Comic Book Festival every year. If you haven't been, but love comic books, you should go. You'll meet artists and will have the opportunity to buy more comic books for your collection.
As you can see, there are lots of awesome festivals during fall in Nevada. Which will you attend? Let us know in the comments! If you need a place to stay for any of these exciting events, check out Hotels.com, or VRBO.com to find the perfect spot. Have fun!
These 14 Unique Festivals Are Something Everyone In Nevada Should Experience Once
Nevada hosts a variety of exciting festivals throughout the year, attracting thousands of visitors with unique cultural, culinary, and entertainment experiences.
Nevada traditions are full of exciting adventures, especially those planned throughout the towns and cities in the Silver State. The festivals in our state pull in thousands of people from all over the world, offering a variety of things to do in Nevada. Join in the fun at these 14 action-packed celebrations!
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1. Best Dam Barbecue Challenge, Boulder City: May 24 and 25, 2024
One of the best Boulder City events is having its 21st Annual celebration this year. Pitmasters from all over the country come to compete in a professional contest for a spot at the Jack Daniels World Championship Invitational. This is also the primary fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Boulder City. Admission to this spring festival is free for spectators, and there’s plenty of delicious food, live entertainment, and kids activities. Find out more on the Best Dam Barbecue Challenge Facebook page.
2. Winnemucca Basque Festival, Winnemucca: June 7-9, 2024
This free cultural event showcases the colorful traditions of the Basques, a welcoming people from a region on the northern border between Spain and France who first came to search for gold in the 19th century. Try a variety of delicious foods, such as braised lamb, juicy steaks, and their signature dish - chorizo. Read all about it on the Winnemucca Basque Club Facebook page.
Celebrate at one of Reno’s largest, most popular festivals in May. In addition to tons of live entertainment, music, and food, several events are particularly fun and interesting. Decorate your bike, don a costume, and ride in the Reno River Roll. The whitewater events include kayak races, paddleboard races, and boatercross. For further details, visit the Reno River Festival website.
This 24th annual celebration offers Shorts Programs, Movies Under the Pines, and more. Come out and meet some of the independent moviemakers while enjoying some of the most entertaining films, delicious food, and drinks. For more information, visit the Nevada City Film Festival website.
If you’re a fan of vintage cars, this is the festival for you. Watch the parade go by, the drag races, the displays, and live entertainment. Oh yeah - and tons of beautifully restored cars are why we attend this fantastic event. See other exciting photos on the Hot August Nights Facebook page.
This is quite possibly the most beautiful festival in the state. Thousands of festival-goers release lanterns into the night sky. Enjoy music, dancing, s’mores, and a general feeling of community and love at Sparks Marina. Read the schedule on the Water Lantern Festival website.
7. Burning Man, Black Rock Desert: Aug. 25–Sept 2, 2024
This is the biggest party ever held in the middle of a desert! Burning Man focuses on a commodity-free event, meaning that it doesn’t have corporate sponsors. It relies on donations. And remember: This isn't a festival, it's a city created by its citizens offering non-stop fun and entertainment. We love the art! See the lineup on the Burning Man website.
The bi-annual event is in honor of Saint Gennaro, the Patron Saint of Naples, Italy, and one of the largest celebrations of Italian food and music. The fun-filled event offers something for everyone with ethnic food vendors, home exhibits, arts and crafts, face painters, and live acts from Italy and the Las Vegas Strip on the main concert stage!
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Plus, you can take a spin on a thrilling amusement ride. For more information, visit the San Gennaro Feast Facebook page.
This will be the 60th Anniversary and is sure to bring thousands of spectators - some events have brought in more than 150,000 - from around the country. You’ll see air shows, military displays, and performers, including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. The Reno Air Show website has more details.
A celebration of LGBTQIA+, the Las Vegas event is a family-friendly PG-rated experience until 7 p.m. when PRIDE After-Dark becomes an adults-only party. Folks will enjoy tons of entertainment, food vendors, beer gardens, and a Family Activity Zone for kids. Ongoing events throughout the year can also be found on the Las Vegas PRIDE website.
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11. When We Were Young Festival, Las Vegas: Oct. 19 and 20, 2024
Each General Admission ticket will get you into the Las Vegas Festival Grounds to enjoy all-day live performances on multiple stages. Enjoy delicious food and drinks from regional and local vendors.
Nevada Day celebrates Nevada’s statehood with a four-day celebration that includes a parade, run/walk, chili feed, beard contest, balloon launch, and tons of free entertainment. Read further details on the Nevada Day website.
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13. Pahrump Social Powwow, Pahrump: Nov. 22-24, 2024
Did you know that Pahrump is home to the Western Shoshone and Paiute tribes? Pictured is Chris and Candice, the 2019 Head Man and Head Lady of the event. Paiute and Western Shoshone tribes come together during this powwow. Dance competitions and exhibitions show tribal traditions, and there’s plenty of authentic food and crafts available. The festival takes place every November on the weekend before Thanksgiving. Watch for updates on the Pahrump Social Powwow website.
14. Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend: April 24-28, 2025
One of the biggest Las Vegas events includes four days of music and fun. Events include car shows, a tattoo lounge, bowling, pool parties, a guitar festival, and burlesque classes. Look for the schedule on the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend Facebook page.
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Nevada traditions are inclusive of these fun-filled festivals. Which festival in Nevada do you look forward to every year? Please share in the comments below.
