Beer, bourbon, barbecue and live music are coming together for two days at Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre. The 2026 Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival takes place Friday, July 31, and Saturday, August 1, with more than 60 beers, over 40 bourbons, smoked meats, tasting seminars, games and live entertainment.

Festival admission includes a souvenir tasting glass and all-you-care-to-taste beer and bourbon samples. Here is what attendees should know before heading to the 2026 Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival in Cary.

2026 Cary Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival Details

• Dates: Friday, July 31, and Saturday, August 1, 2026
• Location: Koka Booth Amphitheatre
• Address: 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary, NC 27518
• Friday hours: 6–10 p.m.
• Saturday VIP hours: Noon–6 p.m.
• Saturday general admission hours: 2–6 p.m.
• Age requirement: Guests must be 21 or older to sample alcohol
• Tickets: Available through the official Cary Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival website⁠

More Than 100 Beer and Bourbon Options

The festival is expected to feature more than 60 beers and over 40 bourbons. Guests with tasting admission receive a souvenir glass that can be used for all-you-care-to-taste samples throughout their session.

Attendees can move from table to table, learn about different products and discover new favorites. The festival is structured around sampling, so guests are encouraged to drink responsibly and request half-pours when trying an unfamiliar beverage.

A new Local Beer Garden will put a spotlight on nearby breweries and regional flavors. Other beverage selections may include whiskey, spirits, wine and seltzers.

The festival’s official menu page currently says the complete 2026 beverage and food menu is still coming soon, so the final vendor and product lineup may continue to change. Check the official menu page⁠ for updates.

Plenty of Barbecue and Smoked Meats

The food is a major part of the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival experience. Vendors are expected to serve a broad selection of barbecue, including:

• Pulled pork
• Whole hog
• Ribs
• Brisket
• Chicken
• Sausages
• Traditional barbecue sides and fixings

Food sold by festival vendors is generally separate from admission. However, Friday VIP, Saturday VIP and Grand Poobah tickets include a barbecue dinner platter.

The Shrine of Swine also returns with whole-hog presentations from Redneck Scientific. Scheduled Shrine of Swine times are Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 1:30, 3 and 4 p.m.

Live Music Schedule

The festival’s Main Stage will feature rock, blues and bluegrass performances throughout the weekend.

Friday, July 31

CRUSH

• Performance time: 7:30–9:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 1

The Pheobes

• Performance time: 12:30–2 p.m.

Chris Taylor & The Rumor

• Performance time: 3–6 p.m.

The festival says schedule updates are continuing, so review the official entertainment schedule⁠ before attending.

Bourbon and Distilling Seminars

Guests can learn more about bourbon production, blending and barrel finishing during seminars in the festival’s Tasting Theatre. Presenters include master distillers, distillery owners and other beverage-industry professionals.

Friday Tasting Theatre Schedule

• 6 p.m. — The Magic of Cask Finishing: Beyond the Barrel with Charlotte’s Oaklore Distilling Co.
• 7 p.m. — Pouring History: The Harlem Hellfighters with Old Hillside Bourbon Company

Saturday Tasting Theatre Schedule

• 1 p.m. — The Art of the Blend: Inside Ole Raleigh Distillery with Master Blender Brandon McCraney
• 2:30 p.m. — From the Ship to the Shore with Hidden Ships Distillery owner Andy Szwejbka
• 3:30 p.m. — The Art of Blending and Finishing Bourbons with Liberty & Plenty Distilling
• 4:30 p.m. — We Serve Those Who Serve with On Your 6 Bourbon

Seminar space may be limited, so arriving early is a good idea for anyone interested in a particular presentation.

Games, Shopping and Festival Activities

Beer and bourbon are only part of the experience. The Cochon Carnival will feature oversized and outdoor games such as cornhole, giant Jenga and Connect Four.

Festivalgoers can also shop for breweriana, hot sauces, cookware, barbecue accessories and other specialty products from participating exhibitors.

2026 Ticket Prices

Ticket

Admission period

Advance price

Grand Poobah two-day pass

Friday, 6–10 p.m.; Saturday, noon–6 p.m.

$165 plus fees

Friday VIP

Friday, 6–10 p.m.

$79 plus fees

Friday general admission

Friday, 6–10 p.m.

$45 plus fees

Saturday VIP

Saturday, noon–6 p.m.

$79 plus fees

Saturday general admission

Saturday, 2–6 p.m.

$45 plus fees

Designated driver

Sold on-site only

$25

The limited Grand Poobah pass includes entry to every session, express admission, a souvenir tasting glass, unlimited sampling, Friday dinner, live entertainment, a special ticket-holder area and a merchandise bag.

VIP admission includes a barbecue dinner platter. Saturday VIP guests also receive two additional hours of festival access before general admission begins.

On-site tickets are expected to be available, but organizers warn that prices will be higher to cover taxes and fees. VIP tickets are limited and may sell out.

What to Bring

Guests participating in alcohol sampling must bring a valid photo ID. Everyone sampling alcohol will have their identification checked.

Other permitted items include:

• A clear bag no larger than 12 by 12 by 9 inches
• A small clutch no larger than 6 by 8 inches
• One factory-sealed plastic water bottle per person
• An empty reusable bottle
• A standard lawn chair without a canopy or footrest
• Raincoat or poncho
• Umbrella
• Stroller

Free water is available at rinse stations, and refill stations are located in the Cobblestone Courtyard.

Koka Booth Amphitheatre is primarily a cashless venue, and there are no ATMs on-site. Some independent festival vendors may accept cash, but guests should bring a debit or credit card.

What Not to Bring

Festival policies prohibit several items, including:

• Pets, except qualifying service animals
• Weapons
• Outside alcohol
• Coolers
• Outside food
• Drones
• Fireworks
• Grills or open flames
• Professional cameras with detachable lenses
• Audio or video recording equipment
• Wagons
• Tents
• Yoga mats
• Tables
• Large bags and backpacks

All bags are subject to inspection. Review Koka Booth Amphitheatre’s clear-bag rules and the festival’s complete FAQ and prohibited-items list⁠ before leaving home.

Parking and Transportation

Complimentary parking is available for most events in Koka Booth Amphitheatre’s venue-owned lots. The lots typically open one hour before the event.

Nearby private businesses may charge between $5 and $15 for parking. Those private parking operations are not endorsed by Koka Booth Amphitheatre or the Town of Cary.

A limited number of accessible parking spaces are available across from the main gate and box office. A valid accessible license plate or hang tag is required, and spaces are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

The venue also has a designated pickup and drop-off area for Uber, Lyft and taxi passengers. Complete transportation information is available on the festival’s directions and parking page⁠.

Tips for Attending the Festival

• Buy tickets in advance to avoid higher on-site prices.
• Bring a valid ID if you plan to sample alcohol.
• Arrive early for parking, security screening and popular seminars.
• Eat before and during the festival.
• Ask for half-pours when sampling unfamiliar products.
• Alternate alcoholic samples with water.
• Bring a permitted lawn chair if you want seating.
• Use a designated driver or rideshare service.
• Check the weather and bring a poncho if rain is possible.
• Review the clear-bag policy before packing.

Re-entry is permitted as long as guests receive a hand stamp when exiting. Last call takes place approximately 20 minutes before the session ends, and alcohol service stops 15 minutes before closing.

Is the Cary Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival Worth Attending?

The festival offers more than a standard tasting event. Between its large beer and bourbon selection, smoked meats, live bands, educational seminars, whole-hog presentations and outdoor games, the weekend provides several ways to enjoy the experience.

Bourbon enthusiasts may get the most value from the Tasting Theatre and unlimited samples, while barbecue fans can explore food vendors and the Shrine of Swine. Music fans can spend much of the day near the Main Stage.

A portion of the event’s proceeds benefits the Spirit of Hope Children’s Foundation.

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Published by Bryan Tomlinson | BTDesigns.pro |