Rib Fest

2026 Dates : Sept 11-13 2026
Esquimalt Ribfest 2026: Your Guide to Ribs, BBQ, Live Music & More

Get ready for one of the smokiest weekends of the year! 🔥🍖

Esquimalt Ribfest returns to Bullen Park September 11–13, 2026, bringing three days of BBQ, food trucks, local craft beverages, live music and family-friendly fun to Greater Victoria.

Whether you’re there to compare ribs from every pitmaster, grab a cold local beer, discover something from one of the food vendors or settle in for an afternoon of live music, there’s a LOT happening over the weekend.

Even better? Admission to Esquimalt Ribfest is free, with donations encouraged in support of the event’s charitable initiatives.

Here’s what you need to know before you go.

Esquimalt Ribfest 2026

📅 September 11–13, 2026
📍 Bullen Park — 527 Fraser Street, Esquimalt, BC
🎟️ Admission: FREE

Esquimalt Ribfest is a community fundraiser organized around a pretty simple combination: BBQ, drinks, music and a whole lot of people getting together in Bullen Park.

Funds raised through Ribfest support charitable projects and organizations in the community, including efforts connected to the Esquimalt High School Community Field Collaboration and other local initiatives.

Meet the 2026 Ribbers 🍖

Obviously, the ribs are the main event.

Six professional BBQ teams are firing up their smokers for Esquimalt Ribfest this year, each bringing their own sauces, rubs, cooking styles and personalities.

Boss Hog’s

With more than a decade on the Canadian Ribfest circuit, Boss Hog’s is all about classic smoked BBQ. Expect plenty of ribs and BBQ favourites from this longtime touring team.

GrillBilly Willy’s BBQ

Championship BBQ meets a healthy dose of hillbilly humour at GrillBilly Willy’s. The team brings smoke, spice and big BBQ flavours to the competition.

Prairie Smoke & Spice

Coming from Saskatchewan, Prairie Smoke & Spice specializes in genuine pit-smoked BBQ inspired by traditional Texas-style barbecue and has collected numerous awards on the competitive BBQ circuit.

Gator BBQ

The Smith family behind Gator BBQ has been serving ribs, pulled pork and chicken at Ribfests throughout Canada and the northern United States for more than 30 years.

Jack the Ribber

With more than 20 years of BBQ experience and hundreds of awards under their belt, Jack the Ribber travels the Ribfest circuit serving ribs, chicken and all the fixings.

Grizzly BBQ

Vancouver Island’s local contender, Grizzly BBQ is led by Chef Ollie, a fifth-generation Vancouver Islander. Expect plenty of smoke, spice and BBQ alongside popular sides like tallow-fried baby potatoes and honey butter cornbread.

Our suggestion? Arrive hungry, try a few different teams and decide for yourself who gets your vote.

It’s Not Just Ribs

Not feeling ribs? Bringing someone who isn’t BBQ obsessed?

There are plenty of other options around Bullen Park throughout the weekend, from savoury meals to desserts, coffee and festival snacks.

The 2026 food lineup includes:

Churros & Mor — Fresh churros served warm with cinnamon sugar and a selection of dips and toppings.

Hazel’s Ice Cream — Victoria-made hand-dipped ice cream bars.

Florish Beau Tea — Fruit teas, sparkling fruit-ades and Japanese-style mochi balls.

Greek N’ Go — Greek cuisine made with ingredients sourced from local markets, including a kids’ menu.

L’Authentique Poutine — Hand-cut fries topped with fresh cheese curds for classic Quebec-style poutine.

Lebanese Cuisine — Kafta, taouk, hummus, Lebanese breads and more.

Steve O’s Deep Fried Sweets and Treats — Deep-fried chocolate bars and other festival treats.

Esquimalt Lions Club — Hot dogs, burgers and corn on the cob.

Hotdog Hustlin’ — Smokies, sausages and skewers.

Candytime Concessions — Cotton candy, snow cones, popcorn and mini donuts.

Country Crepes — Sweet and savoury crepes with around 15 flavours, including gluten-free options.

Aerobic Geisha Coffee — Fresh coffee, espresso drinks, cold brew and specialty beverages.

Frosana — Frozen chocolate-dipped bananas and other plant-based desserts.

Lemon Heaven — Freshly squeezed lemonade.

Noel’s Donuts — Mini donuts and french fries.

Kuku’s on the Run — East Indian cuisine with plenty of bold, authentic flavours.

Bite Me Cookie Company — Locally made cookies and frozen yogurt.

Mom’s Cake Cafe — Homemade cakes, cupcakes, croffles, Filipino entrées and specialty drinks.

So yes, you could very easily spend the entire weekend eating.

What to Drink 🍻

You’ll also find a mix of beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink cocktails available throughout Ribfest.

The 2026 beverage lineup includes Lighthouse Brewing Company, Hoyne Brewing, Driftwood Brewery, Phillips Brewing, Howl Brewing, Merridale Cider, Strait & Narrow, along with wines from Gray Monk, Good Natured and Peller Estates.

Beverage Tokens

Beverage tokens are $8 each or two for $15.

Token sales end at 9 PM Friday and Saturday and 8 PM Sunday.

Last call is 9:30 PM Friday and Saturday and 8:30 PM Sunday.

Three Days of Live Music 🎶

Ribfest isn’t just about what’s coming off the smokers. The main stage has a packed schedule of live music running throughout all three days.

Friday, September 11

11:15 AM — Jonny and the King Bees
12:30 PM — Rock of Ages
1:45 PM — Soul Shakers
3:00 PM — Deb Rhymer Band
4:15 PM — Carla Rugg Band
5:30 PM — Blood Warmers
6:45 PM — Deep Sea Gypsies
8:30 PM — Brass Camel

Saturday, September 12

11:30 AM — Thick as Thieves
12:45 PM — Vanilla Riot
2:00 PM — JamiesonRhy
3:15 PM — St. Cecelia
4:15 PM — Rib Judging
4:30 PM — BCPFFA Surrey Pipe & Drum Band
5:30 PM — Bi-Polar Bear
6:45 PM — Bobby Dazzler
8:30 PM — Tight Hair

Sunday, September 13

11:15 AM — Brittany Dale Band
12:30 PM — Large Font
1:45 PM — Rock Yacht
3:00 PM — Naden Band
4:15 PM — Big Hank & the Smokin Hot Toasters
5:30 PM — Luke Lampard Band
6:45 PM — Lovecats
8:00 PM — Old School

Shop the Vendor Market

Between bites, take some time to browse the craft and community vendors popping up throughout Ribfest.

You’ll find handmade toys and gifts from Lil Chunky Monkey & Friends, locally made hair accessories from Vancouver Island Scrunch, pet gear from Party Animal Pets, 3D-printed creations from Nostalgic 3D Printing, Vancouver Island-made rubs and seasonings from Vanilla Blossom Spices, tie-dyed clothing from Dyety, fandom-inspired accessories from Chaos Creations, and more.

Want the VIP Ribfest Experience?

The Blue Buffalo Saloon VIP Tent is also returning for 2026.

Tickets are $120 and include pork ribs and sides from all of the professional BBQ teams, along with beer, wine or cider.

The tent sits alongside the main stage, so you’ll also have a great spot to catch the live music.

Best of all, net proceeds after expenses support local charities, including the Q! TLC Fund for Kids and Esquimalt High School.

VIP seating is available in scheduled time slots throughout the weekend, with advance booking recommended.

Ribfest With a Purpose ❤️

Behind all that BBQ is a community fundraiser.

One of the major projects supported by Esquimalt Ribfest is the Esquimalt High School Community Field Collaboration, an initiative working toward creating an all-weather playing field for the community.

Plans for the multi-million-dollar project include a synthetic turf field, resurfaced or repurposed track, lighting for year-round use, grandstand and field house.

Ribfest also supports other charitable initiatives within the Esquimalt community.

Before You Go

Esquimalt Ribfest 2026
📅 Friday, September 11 – Sunday, September 13
📍 Bullen Park, 527 Fraser Street, Esquimalt, BC
🎟️ Free admission
🍖 Six professional BBQ teams
🍻 Local beer, cider, wine and cocktails
🍴 Food trucks and vendors
🎶 Three days of live music
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly

Come hungry, give yourself plenty of time to wander, and don’t commit to your favourite ribs until you’ve done some serious research.

After all, comparing BBQ is very important work. 🔥🍖

See you at Ribfest!