New Jersey State Barbecue Championship and Anglesea Blues Festival

Indulge in ribs, chicken, brisket, and pork while enjoying some of the best blues music at the Jersey Shore during the 27th Annual New Jersey State Barbecue Championship and Anglesea Blues Festival.

The event will take place at 2nd and Olde New Jersey avenues and the surrounding pubs in the North Wildwood Entertainment District.

The three-day festival will feature barbecue teams from around the country showing off their grill skills in a quest for the best BBQ. There will be teams competing for glory and 1st through 5th places in pulled pork, ribs, chicken, and brisket. The top overall scorer will be named the Grand Champion, and the second overall scorer will be designated the Reserve Grand Champion. The official judging is conducted by the Kansas City Barbecue Society. The Grand Champion of the New Jersey State Barbecue Championship is eligible to compete in the invitation-only American Royale World Championship held annually in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Anglesea Blues Festival will feature both national and regional blues musicians and is held in conjunction with the New Jersey State Barbecue Championship. Top blues acts are featured on the free outdoor main stage, as well as in neighboring clubs and pubs.

The festival kicks off Friday, July 11, from 4-11 pm and features The Outcrops from 4-7 pm on the mainstage, followed by The Michael Allman Band from 7:30-10:30 pm.

Saturday, July 12, festival hours are 10 am to 11 pm and will include an open-air market featuring lots of food and merchandise vendors. Enjoy free live Blues music featuring Bluestime from 11 am to 1 pm; Four On The Floor from 1:30-3:30 pm; The Billy Walton Band from 4-7 pm; and SlideWinder Blues Band from 7:30-10:30 pm.

The festival concludes on Sunday, July 13, with an open-air market from 10 am to 6 pm and judging for the 2025 Barbecue Grand Championship. Free live Blues performances continue with Slim & The Percolators from 11 am to 1 pm and Zydeco Go-Go from 1:30 – 4:30 pm.

Admission is free.

The New Jersey State Barbecue Championship and Anglesea Blue Festival benefit the Anglesea Volunteer Fire Company, serving the community since 1897.

Take the Jitney shuttle for a $3 one-way fare per person. The Wildwoods Island Shuttle will be running its usual route from Olde New Jersey Avenue in North Wildwood to Diamond Beach in Wildwood Crest. Scheduled times are Friday 5 pm to 2 am; Saturday 5 pm to 2 am; and Sunday 5 pm to midnight. Download the Jitney Surfer App for live tracking, a route map, and to purchase tickets online.

Visitors can book their stay for the BBQ and Blues Festival here.