Charleston’s biggest smoke show is back — and this year’s Holy Smokes BBQ Festival looks like the most mouthwatering yet.
On Saturday, Nov. 8, more than 50 pitmasters and chefs from across the country will descend on Riverfront Park, turning the place into a one-day flavor carnival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets? $95 for general admission, $250 for VIP — both promising a smoky, all-you-can-eat dream featuring legends like Rodney Scott, Pat Martin, Sam Jones, and Leonard Botello IV, plus South Carolina favorite Robbie Robinson and a wave of next-gen firemasters.
VIPs will taste an extra tier of indulgence, with Charleston heavyweights James London (Chubby Fish), Mike Lata (FIG), and Shuai Wang (King BBQ) adding special dishes that’ll have foodies fanning themselves between bites.
Four Villages, One Big Fire
Each year, co-founder Aaron Siegel — also the co-owner of Home Team BBQ — and his crew tweak the setup, aiming to make the festival even better.
“We continue to try and tweak it and make it better each year,” Siegel told The Post and Courier.
This year’s format stays true to what’s made Holy Smokes a can’t-miss event: pitmasters join forces across four “villages” — Texas, Traditional, New School, and Coastal — each serving its own brand of barbecue brilliance.
The result? A living, breathing map of America’s smoke culture, from brisket and pulled pork to creative collabs that blur the lines of region and tradition.
“I love watching everybody’s methods,” Siegel said. “It’s such a learning experience every time.”
Where the Smoke Meets the Soul
Holy Smokes isn’t just a celebration of barbecue — it’s a celebration of giving back.
Since its start five years ago, the festival has raised more than $400,000 for two beneficiaries: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston and Hogs for the Cause, which supports families facing pediatric brain cancer.
And the giving continues: 100% of proceeds after expenses will again be donated in 2025.
The Flavor Forecast
Expect the air to smell like hickory, oak, and community. Lines will be long, but spirits (and plates) will be full.
It’s not just about barbecue — it’s about connection, craft, and cause.
And if history’s any guide, Charleston’s Riverfront Park will be the best-smelling five acres in America come Saturday.
🎟️ Holy Smokes BBQ Festival
📍 Riverfront Park, North Charleston
📅 Saturday, Nov. 8 | 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
💲 $95 GA | $250 VIP
🎗️ Proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston & Hogs for the Cause
