Tennessee knows how to throw a party, especially when food is involved. From smoky barbecue battles to spicy chicken showdowns, the Volunteer State hosts some of the most delicious festivals in the South.
Whether you’re a dedicated foodie or just love trying new flavors, these celebrations offer incredible tastes, live entertainment, and memories you’ll treasure forever.
1. World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest — Memphis
Memphis in May brings the ultimate barbecue showdown right to the banks of the Mississippi River. Pitmasters travel from every corner of the globe, hauling their secret recipes and custom smokers to compete for bragging rights and championship titles.
You’ll smell the hickory smoke before you even arrive. Rows of cooking teams work through the night, tending their low-and-slow creations with dedication that borders on obsession. Judges taste hundreds of entries, scoring everything from ribs to whole hogs.
Beyond the competition, live music fills the air while vendors sell everything barbecue-related you can imagine. Families spread blankets on the grass, soaking up the festive atmosphere and sampling incredible food from championship-level cooks.
2. Music City Food & Wine Festival — Nashville
Nashville’s culinary scene explodes into full view during this annual celebration of taste and talent. Celebrity chefs share their techniques through hands-on demonstrations while local restaurant stars showcase signature dishes that have put Music City on the foodie map.
Wine flows freely as sommeliers guide tastings from vineyards around the world. You’ll discover perfect pairings and maybe find your new favorite bottle.
Cooking classes let you learn directly from the pros, picking up tips you can recreate at home. Live entertainment keeps energy high between tastings, making this festival as much about the experience as the exceptional food itself.
3. Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival — Portland
Portland’s springtime tradition has celebrated local strawberry harvests for generations. When May arrives, the entire town transforms into a strawberry lover’s paradise with fresh-picked berries taking center stage in every imaginable form.
Strawberry shortcake stands compete for your attention alongside strawberry pies, jams, ice cream, and even strawberry pizza. Local farmers bring their sweetest crops, often still warm from the Tennessee sun. The parade winds through downtown, featuring elaborate floats decorated with thousands of paper strawberries.
Carnival rides keep kids entertained while live bands perform on multiple stages throughout the weekend. Craft vendors sell handmade goods, and the friendly small-town atmosphere makes everyone feel like a welcomed neighbor rather than just another festival visitor.
4. National Cornbread Festival — South Pittsburg
South Pittsburg takes cornbread seriously, hosting the nation’s premier celebration of this Southern staple. Competitors bring their grandmother’s recipes and innovative twists, all vying for the title of best cornbread in America.
Cast iron skillets sizzle as contestants prepare everything from traditional buttermilk cornbread to wild creations featuring jalapeños, cheese, or sweet additions. The smell of baking cornbread fills the streets while crowds gather to watch the drama unfold. Tastings let visitors sample championship-worthy entries and vote for their personal favorites.
The festival happens in the hometown of Lodge Cast Iron, so you’ll find plenty of cookware for sale alongside live music and arts and crafts.
5. RC Cola & MoonPie Festival — Bell Buckle
Bell Buckle embraces its Southern roots by throwing a party for the most iconic snack pairing in the region. RC Cola and MoonPies might seem like an odd combination to celebrate, but this tiny town proves it’s a match made in heaven.
The MoonPie eating contest draws brave souls willing to stuff their faces with marshmallow-filled treats while crowds cheer them on. Live bluegrass and country bands provide the soundtrack as vendors sell everything from vintage RC memorabilia to handmade crafts.
Free MoonPies get handed out generously, and you’ll leave with a sugar rush and appreciation for simple Southern traditions.
6. Memphis Italian Festival — Memphis
Marquette Park transforms into a little slice of Italy each spring when Memphis celebrates its Italian heritage. Massive portions of authentic Italian cuisine flow from kitchen tents as families gather around picnic tables, sharing meals and stories.
Pasta gets tossed in enormous pans while pizza ovens work overtime producing thin-crust pies topped with fresh mozzarella. Cannoli shells get filled to order, ensuring maximum crispness with every bite. The aroma of garlic, tomato sauce, and fresh basil creates an intoxicating cloud over the entire festival grounds.
Italian music fills the air between bites, and cultural demonstrations teach visitors about traditions passed down through generations.
7. Bacon & Barrel Festival — Chattanooga
Chattanooga combines two of life’s greatest pleasures into one unforgettable weekend celebration. Bacon takes every form imaginable while craft beers and spirits flow freely, creating flavor combinations that range from traditional to wildly experimental.
Local chefs compete to create the most creative bacon dishes, wrapping the smoky meat around everything from dates to doughnuts. Breweries pour their finest creations while distillers showcase Tennessee whiskeys that pair perfectly with salty, crispy bacon.
Live bands keep the party atmosphere going strong while the scenic riverfront location provides gorgeous views between bites.
8. Music City Hot Chicken Festival — Nashville
Independence Day in Nashville means one thing: fiery hot chicken that’ll make your taste buds celebrate and your forehead sweat. This free festival honors Nashville’s most famous culinary export with tastings, competitions, and enough heat to light up the Fourth of July sky.
Restaurants bring their hottest recipes, ranging from mild warmup levels to challenge-your-sanity spice. Live music keeps the party rolling between bites while brave souls compete in hot chicken eating contests that test both speed and pain tolerance.
The festival atmosphere feels genuinely Nashville, mixing tourists with locals who debate which restaurant serves the city’s best version.
9. Chattanooga Chili Cook-Off — East Ridge
East Ridge heats up when chili enthusiasts gather to prove whose recipe reigns supreme. Home cooks and restaurant chefs alike bring their secret ingredient combinations, simmering massive pots of chili while hoping to impress judges and win over the crowd.
Visitors receive tasting cups to sample dozens of entries, voting for their favorites in categories ranging from traditional red chili to experimental white chicken versions. Some recipes pack serious heat while others focus on complex flavor layers built from hours of slow cooking.
The friendly competition brings out creativity as cooks reveal their techniques and swap stories about chili-making traditions.
10. Panda Fest — Nashville
Food trucks line up offering everything from Asian fusion to unexpected flavor combinations that surprise your palate. Local restaurants set up booths to introduce festival-goers to dishes they might not encounter during regular dining. The relaxed atmosphere encourages exploration, making it easy to try something completely new without pressure or pretension.
Live performances keep energy levels high while families spread blankets and enjoy the outdoor setting. Craft vendors sell handmade goods, and the whole event feels refreshingly different from typical food festivals.