42nd Lexington Barbecue Festival / Lexington, NC

Celebrate Lexington-style barbecue with vendors, live music, family fun, street performers, car shows, and more in Uptown Lexington.

The 42nd Lexington Barbecue Festival returns to Uptown Lexington, North Carolina on Saturday, October 24, 2026, celebrating one of the region’s most beloved food traditions: Lexington-style barbecue. This free, all-day festival features more than 250 vendors, six entertainment stages, street performers, a children’s area, car shows, stunt shows, a pig-themed sand sculpture, and plenty of barbecue served Lexington-style. Festival hours are 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with activities taking place along Main Street and adjoining side streets.