Date and Time
October 10, 2025 | 4 – 10 p.m.
October 11, 2025 | 12 – 10 p.m.
Location
2 S Bond St
Bel Air, MD 21014
Admission
Free!
Food, Drink, and More Available for Purchase
As Seen On
About the Event
Harford County MD’s most anticipated event of the year is the MD State BBQ Bash. Named as one of Harford County’s best events, the MD State BBQ Bash is a barbecue themed street festival featuring the Maryland State BBQ Championship, with more than 25 competition teams from the Mid-Atlantic area and beyond competing for cash prizes and the chance to compete in the annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg, TN and The American Royal in Kansas City, MO.
In addition, 40 amateur teams will compete in the MD State BBQ Bash Tailgate Challenge to see who has the best ribs and chicken while competing for cash, prizes, and bragging rights. For more than 20 years, the MD State BBQ Bash has grown to be one of the largest, most fun, and most anticipated events of the year in Downtown Bel Air. Great food, great music, great people, the Maryland State Barbecue Championship, and the MD State BBQ Bash Tailgate Challenge have combined to create a tradition that we hope you will want to be a part of this year and in the years ahead.
The MD State BBQ Bash is being brought to you by the Bel Air Downtown Alliance, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, Main Street Maryland organization dedicated to creating a vibrant business community and visitor friendly destination in Downtown Bel Air, MD. This event is the largest fundraising effort for the Bel Air Downtown Alliance and 100% of the proceeds benefits the mission and is reinvested locally.
2024 competition results
Championship Competition
GRAND CHAMPION: SweetBelly’s BBQ
RESERVE CHAMPION: B’s Que
3rd: Smokin with Pops BBQ Team
4th: Menke Boys BBQ
5th: Piggy & Swine
6th: Susquehanna Smokers
7th: All Fired Up BBQ
8th: Up in Smokers
9th: Team Meat Coma
10th: Hoos Smokin’
Tailgate Challenge
Results TBA
2024 event map
Music Line Up
The MD State BBQ Bash partners with WXCY Radio to deliver an incredible music experience at the Bash.
2025 Music Schedule
Friday, October 10
5 – 7:30 p.m.: TBD
8:30 – 9:45 p.m.: TBD
Saturday, October 11
2 – 4 p.m.: TBD
5 – 7:30 p.m.: TBD
8:30 – 10 p.m.: TBD
Seating
Looking for a place to sit back, relax, and enjoy your fresh BBQ? Here is a list on seating options for the event!
- High Top Tables along Thomas St. and in the Crafter’s Area in Event Central
- Picnic Tables in the Courthouse Patio, Park Area, and behind Vagabond Sandwich Co.
- BYOS! Come with foldable chairs to sit throughout the event, including near the stage!
Parking
Plenty of parking is available throughout Downtown Bel Air. All parking is free in Downtown Bel Air on weekends and after 5 p.m. weekdays, including the Bel Air Parking Garage (located at 6 S. Hickory Ave).
Handicapped Parking for the Event
Handicapped parking lots can be found close to the event in the parking lot on W. Pennsylvania Ave. (between S. Bond and S. Hayes Streets), the Harford County Chamber of Commerce Parking Lot located at 38 S. Bond St., the top half of the Bond/Thomas Lot (125 Thomas Street – enter on Bond), and select bagged spaces on the street on Pennsylvania Ave. Handicapped parking is strictly enforced, and all violators will be towed.
Shuttle Bus Parking
2025 Locations TBD
Kids Tent Schedule
The Kids Tent is located in the Artisan Vendor section in Event Central behind the courthouse – scroll up for the event map!
Friday, October 10
4 – 6 p.m.: TBD
6 – 8 p.m.: TBD
Saturday, October 11
12 – 2 p.m.: TBD
2 – 4 p.m.: TBD
4 – 6 p.m.: TBD
6 – 8 p.m.: TBD
2025 Food Vendors
TBD
2025 Activities
TBD
2025 Food Trucks
October 10 TBD
October 11 TBD
2025 Cornhole Competition
Organized and ran by Old Line State Cornhole! Check back for 2025 details.
2025 benefitting non profit groups
All tips made in each section from alcohol sales will be donated to the following nonprofit groups!
Friday, October 10
Main Beer Garden TBD
Auxiliary Beer Garden TBD
Saturday, October 11
Main Beer Garden TBD
Auxiliary Beer Garden TBD
Frequently Asked Questions
Please scroll up to the blue Resources section to navigate to the correct application!
The MD State BBQ Bash partners with WXCY Radio to deliver an incredible music experience at the Bash. Please scroll up to the “Music Line Up” section for this year’s performers.
Admission into the MD State BBQ Bash is free.
Beer, wine, and more are available for purchase for $6 per drink – you MUST receive a wristband to purchase a drink ticket, and you MUST have a drink ticket to get your beverage. Wristbands are dispensed at the beer garden and auxiliary cart, which is also where tickets are purchased. One ticket equals one drink.
BBQ, food, and more also available for purchase – prices vary and are not controlled by the Bel Air Downtown Alliance.
For their safety, no pets/dogs allowed.
Plenty of parking is available throughout Downtown Bel Air. All parking is free in Downtown Bel Air on weekends and after 5 p.m. on weekdays. Please scroll up for recommended parking locations and to see this year’s shuttle bus spots.
No weapons of any kind will be permitted in the event. This event is held on government-owned land, so this is very strict – knives/etc. may be confiscated, or you will need to take anything back to your vehicle for storage. Security will provide screening upon entry.
Hilton Garden Inn – Bel Air is the preferred hotel of the Maryland State BBQ Bash. It is located at 4160 Philadelphia Road, Bel Air, MD 21015. Convenient to I-95, there are over a dozen hotels in Edgewood (21040) and Aberdeen (21001) Maryland.
