Bloomin’ BBQ and Bluegrass 2026

Smell that intoxicating mix of sweet, mesquite and charcoal in the air? Hear those banjo-strings arpeggiating and those mandolins a’twinkling? That blissful bit of Smoky Mountain culture is coming up from Sevierville just a little ways south of Forest Grove RV and it is worth a visit between May 15th and May 16th as Sevierville holds their annual Bloomin’ BBQ and Bluegrass festival for 2026!

Centered on the historic downtown section of Sevierville surrounding the courthouse, the Bloomin’ BBQ and Bluegrass is, you guessed it, lots and lots of BBQ food and Bluegrass music performances. There are also local artists and crafters setting up shop throughout the streets as well. BBQ and Bluegrass and local arts and crafts around a courthouse? You can’t get any more Southern than that!

Here’s what the event is writing this year on their official website:

“FREE ADMISSION | FREE CONCERTS

Friday, May 15, 2026 | 5pm – 10pm
Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 10am – 10pm

Live music. Delicious food. Awesome fun.

Whether you’re enjoying toe-tapping tunes, devouring the nation’s best BBQ or simply enjoying the sights and sounds of one of the southeast’s top festivals, Bloomin’ BBQ is a weekend of fun for the whole family.

Golly, Dolly!
This year marks the 80th birthday of Sevierville’s own Dolly Parton so we’re celebrating with special events and performances on Saturday, May 16! Catch the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition and listen as finalists from around the nation perform one of Dolly’s 3,000+ songs in their own style. Then stick around for cousin Richie Owen’s original show, Appalachia: Ballads, Bloodlines, & the Long Journey Home – a roots-music and storytelling experience blending songs and spoken stories from the Owens and Parton families right here in Sevier County. Finally, see Here I Come Again, a Dolly Tribute featuring the band Run Katie Run.

Crafts, Donuts, + Mini Golf
Explore new fun in the Crafter’s Village. Play a round of mini golf (kids under 5 play free with a paying adult), and indulge in those fluffy, glazed donuts that have become a festival favorite.

Then browse from over 70 local and regional craft booths. Everything from wood working, crochet, leather goods, handmade jewelry, and boutique clothing to hand crafted candles, soaps, lotions, ands scrubs will be available at the Crafter Village near the Bush’s Best Community Stage.

Jam Sessions
Musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments and music fans are encouraged to bring their ears to two open musician jams during Bloomin’ BBQ Music & Food Festival.

On Friday, May 15, be part of the Late Night Jam, located on the festival grounds. Led by 5-time national champion banjo picker Gary “Biscuit” Davis, this jam welcomes musicians of all skill levels to create music together. The Late Night Jam begins at 10pm and goes until Midnight.

Saturday, May 16, Bloomin’ BBQ Music & Food Festival will also have a Daytime Jam from 2pm-4pm on the Smoky Mountain Farmer’s Co-Op Lawn Stage. Led by bluegrass musician Evie Andrus, this jam is also open to musicians of all skill levels and is a fun opportunity to meet and learn from other musicians.

No registration is required to be part of either jam. Simply show up ready to pick – or listen!”

And there’s still a lot more to the event that they talk about on https://www.bloominbbq.com/.