TrekUnity
When
May
Attendance
~100,000
Admission
Ticketed
Setting
Outdoor
The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest — the centerpiece of Memphis in May — is the largest pork barbecue competition on earth, drawing hundreds of teams to the banks of the Mississippi to smoke ribs, shoulders, and whole hogs for glory over a long May weekend.
Part cook-off, part riverfront party, it's a smoky, festive celebration of Memphis's barbecue soul, easily paired with Beale Street music, Graceland, and the city's deep musical history.
Want to go? Turn Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
A weekend in mid-May (Wed–Sat)
Admission
Ticketed grounds · many teams are invite-only for tasting
Parking
Downtown garages plus the trolley; the riverfront park is walkable from downtown hotels.
Nearest airport
Memphis International (MEM) — ~15 min
Typical weather
Warm, humid Memphis May — 80s °F; sun and a chance of a river-valley thunderstorm.
Official website
Location
Memphis, TN
Where to stay
The Peabody Memphis
Historic hotel famous for its lobby ducks.
Central Station Hotel
Stylish hotel in a restored train station.
Downtown / South Main stays
Walkable base near Beale and the river.
Where to eat & drink
Central BBQ
A top Memphis barbecue spot for ribs.
Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous
Iconic dry-rub rib institution.
Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken
Hot fried chicken landmark.
Nearby attractions
Beale Street
The legendary home of the blues.
Graceland
Elvis Presley's mansion, a Memphis pilgrimage.
National Civil Rights Museum
Powerful museum at the Lorraine Motel.
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + Beale
- •Fly into MEM
- •Afternoon: National Civil Rights Museum
- •Evening: Beale Street music
2BBQ contest
- •Afternoon: the riverfront cook-off
- •Evening: ribs at Rendezvous
3Graceland + depart
- •Morning: Graceland
- •Lunch: Gus's fried chicken
- •Head to MEM
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Buy grounds tickets ahead and ride the trolley from downtown.
- Eat your way through Memphis's legendary rib joints too.
- Add Graceland and the Civil Rights Museum for a full Memphis weekend.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Memphis in May BBQ contest?
A long weekend in mid-May on the Memphis riverfront.
Can the public taste the barbecue?
Public grounds tickets get you into the party; the competition tasting itself is largely invite-only among teams — though Memphis's restaurants more than deliver.
What else should you do in Memphis?
Beale Street, Graceland, and the National Civil Rights Museum are all essential.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.