The South is known for many things. Sweet iced tea. That classic Southern hospitality. A slower pace that makes you long to sit back in a rocking chair on the front porch and chat with family and friends. Cool fall days. Hot summer nights. Hearty comfort foods. The music of the mountains. And at one festival in downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia, two of these favorite Southern staples come together for the quintessential North Georgia experience. It’s the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ festival in the downtown Blue Ridge City Park!
When the leaves begin to change and the temperature drops north of Atlanta, downtown Blue Ridge becomes host to the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ fall event. This fall North Georgia event perfectly pairs the crisp air and vivid colors of autumn with the incredible smells — and tastes — of Southern BBQ AND the mountain music we know as bluegrass!
Local and regional BBQ masters will come together to offer an impressive lineup of BBQ dishes for visitors in the area, and talented musicians will set the perfect musical lineup for this classic Blue Ridge, GA, event!
12th Annual Blues & BBQ | 2023 MUSIC
Bluegrass will fill the air at the 10th annual Blues & BBQ event in Blue Ridge. You’ll be tapping your toes to the sounds of the mountains all day, with a great lineup of bluegrass bands. The 2023 music festival bands include the following:
- Breaking Point Band | 12:00-1:00 PM
- Frankie’s Blues Mission | 1:30-3:00 PM
- The Crossroads Band | 3:30-5:00 PM
- Ghost Town Blues Band | 5:30-7:00 PM
- Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers | 7:30-9:00 PM
BBQ at the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival
The 2023 festival is bringing 10 BBQ vendors — both local and regional — to downtown Blue Ridge. Along with tasty BBQ, enjoy ice-cold beer, wine, water, and sodas. The BBQ masters and more food vendors for 2023 are below.
- Angelfire 7 BBQ
- Chatter Box Cafe
- Choate BBQ
- Mercier Orchards
- Snowie (shaved ice)
- Wawa Sauce
- Smokin’ E’s BBQ
- My Pop-Pop’s Nuts
- Soul Truckin’ Good
- Sweet Cheeks Bar-B-Que
- The Inked Pig BBQ
- Mutt & Jeff’s Smokehouse
- Sauce on the Side
- Sharpe’s Southern Smokeshack
- Mr. Nice Guy Authentic Soul Food
- Island Creek Seasoning
What YOU Need to Know
Ready for bluegrass, BBQ, and beer? Here’s what you need to know for this fun North Georgia event! An official kickoff party offers FREE food and beverages on Thursday, Sep 14. And you can hop aboard the Kiwanis Blues Train — a live entertainment train ride with the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway — and jam at a block party on Friday, Sep 15. Both events lead up to the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival 2023 on Saturday, Sep 16!
Date for the Main Event
Sep 16, 2023 — Saturday
Opens at 11:30 AM (rain or shine!)
Location of Festival Grounds
Downtown Blue Ridge — extending to Blue Ridge City Park
400 West Main Street
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Admission
Pre-order tickets online, get cash at the ATM on site, or use a credit card (available at all gates) to enter this Blue Ridge BBQ event.
- $10/person — kids 12 and under get in FREE
Parking + FREE Shuttle
Parking is available across downtown Blue Ridge. And if you’ve been to this popular Blue Ridge, GA, event before, you’ll really appreciate additional parking this year — for only $5! There will also be a free shuttle service to both parking lots from 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM during the festival.
Parking Lot #1
Fannin County Middle School
4584 Old HWY 76
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Parking Lot #2
Fannin County Farmers Market
787 Summit Street
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Supporting Local Children
Part of the proceeds will be donated to Habitat for Humanity, the Boys & Girls Club of North Georgia, Shop with a Cop, Ferst Readers, and Snack in a Backpack — so it’s good food for a great cause!
A Few Rules
Coolers, pets, and smoking are not allowed inside the bbq and music festival.
MORE Great BBQ in Blue Ridge, Georgia
Can’t get enough BBQ when you’re in the Blue Ridge Mountains? No worries! North Georgia boasts plenty of great places to grab your smoky favorites. Here are a few local options when you’re in the mood for pulled pork, ribs, and other mouthwatering Blue Ridge BBQ.
Blue Ridge Mountain Barb-B-Q
3870 E 1st St
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Carroll’s Barbeque
39 Lance St
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Mike’s Trackside BBQ
3950 E 1st St
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Pink Pig
824 Cherry Log St
Cherry Log, GA 30522
Stateline BBQ
47 Toccoa Ave, Suite A
McCaysville, GA 30555
Live Music in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Want some live music to go with that delicious BBQ in Blue Ridge? Check out these live music venues in North Georgia!
The Blue Coyote
Along with hot wings and cold beer, enjoy trivia nights, TVs playing top sports, and live local bands throughout the week.
The Dogwood Hangout
Another laid-back spot with live music, The Dogwood Hangout sets a unique atmosphere. It features 100+ year-old trees, no TVs, outdoor seating, a beer garage with 70+ options, sharing-style dishes, and the feeling of community.
Fightingtown Tavern
This local spot mixes farm-to-table dishes with small-batch whiskey, 70s rock all the time, and a family-friendly atmosphere. They boast no freezer and no microwave — meaning fresh food always.
Vine
Enjoy a glass of wine paired with a cheese plate, appetizers, and live music at this favorite local spot on East Main Street in Blue Ridge, Georgia.
Misty Mountain Hops
This Vinyl Pub is focused on small events with live music. Menu items at Misty Mountain Hops include fried pickled okra, fried deviled eggs, a nice lineup of sandwiches and burgers, craft beers, and more.
Where to Stay in North Georgia
Need a comfortable, fun place to stay on your North Georgia getaway after the barbecue festival? Georgia Cabins for YOU has you covered — with a wide variety of vacation rentals in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our gorgeous cabin rentals offer all you need for a wonderful stay, including fully equipped kitchens and grills so you can host your own Appalachian barbecue. Then, slip into a steamy hot tub with mountain views at every glance, unwind with a glass of sweet tea in the rockers, or head inside to watch movies in your home theater or shoot pool in the game room!
Book your Blue Ridge cabin rental for the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival 2023 today!
