From our friends at Giant Food...
Giant Barbecue Battle Marks Memorial Day and America 250 by Honoring Veterans
As the nation gathers over Memorial Day weekend and prepares to mark its 250th anniversary, the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle, America’s Food & Music Festival, will honor service members and spotlight veteran initiatives and businesses during its 34th annual edition on June 27-28 on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC.
Officially part of the DC250 festivities, the Giant Barbecue Battle has long seen barbecue as more than food: an occasion that brings people together in community and celebrates the shared bonds and traditions that unite the country.
This year, the festival will partner with Eat Your Feelings, a cooking show created and co-hosted by Cory Brown and Sam Nathews, to help raise awareness of veteran mental health through food and conversation. The event will also highlight veteran-owned businesses, including Arbo's Cheese Dip, founded by U.S. Army veteran and former Apache helicopter pilot Andrew “Arbo” Arbogast.
While the Giant Barbecue Battle takes place in late June, support for these initiatives begins now. The festival’s “Salute to Service” 25% discount for veterans is officially live through June 28.
“As we approach Memorial Day and America’s 250th anniversary, we are reminded that the freedom to gather on Pennsylvania Avenue is made possible by the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes. We aren’t just celebrating BBQ; we are also recognizing the spirit of service. By partnering with businesses and initiatives led by veterans, we want this year’s festival to include a strong salute to those who serve and have served,” said Allen Tubis, President of the Giant National Barbecue Battle.
Proclaimed the “National Barbecue Championship” on the floor of the U.S. Congress, the Giant Barbecue Battle draws more than 100,000 attendees annually. This year’s theme, “American Cuisine Is World Cuisine,” celebrates the many traditions and cultures that continue shaping American food and music.
The festival will feature competitions with top pit-masters from across the country, more than 100 free food samples, live music across six stages, family-friendly activities, and the Giant World of Flavors Sampling Pavilion, with participation from DC-based embassies and international food brands. Easy to get to by Metro.
Event Details:
Dates: June 27–28, 2026
Location: Historic Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (3rd to 7th Streets), Washington, DC
Hours: Saturday, June 27 (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.); Sunday, June 28 (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Tickets: www.bbqindc.com and visit Giant Stores for Free Admission Offer.
For more information, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and X at @bbqindc, and on TikTok at @bbqindc0.
About the Giant Barbecue Battle:
Taking place on the first weekend of summer each year, the Giant Barbecue Battle has been recognized by the U.S Congress as both the Official National Barbecue Championship and “the official kick-off of summer in our Nation’s Capital.” The event is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, as the world’s largest competitive barbecue organization.
About Giant Food:
Since opening its first location in Washington, D.C., in 1936, Giant has been an integral part of the communities and customers it serves. Giant is committed to being a Better Neighbor and has designated four main giving pillars that address local Food Insecurity, Military Support, Pediatric Cancer Research, and Social Equality. Giant is headquartered in Landover, Md., and operates 163 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia with approximately 20,000 associates. Included within the 163 stores are 153 full-service pharmacies. Giant fits all the way today's busy customers want to shop - in-store or online. With 161 Giant Pickup locations and delivery options available in all its markets, customers have even more convenient options to get the best products and prices whenever and however they choose. For more information on Giant Food, visit giantfood.com.
