Blues, Brews, and Barbecue

Every year, over 20,000 visitors gather in the Queen City for the annual Blues, Brews & Barbecue festival. Hear incredible Blues musicians while sampling finger-lickin' BBQ from all around the country. Cool off with craft and domestic brews right in the heart of the city.

Admission to Blues, Brews, and Barbecue is free and runs from noon to 8 p.m.

$5 event parking will be available in the Spiral Deck, 940 Deck and Maple Street Deck.

Enjoy blues music, barbecue bites, and craft beer along Hamilton Street from 8th Street to 12th Street in Allentown, PA. The free family-friendly event is back with a reimagined layout featuring four stages (including one in the new Moxy Allentown Courtyard), a full day of entertainment, food, and art activations right in the heart of the Queen City!

Get ready to be in BBQ heaven! The new BBQ Tasting Contest, presented by Friends of Allentown Parks, pits top pitmasters like Atomic Hogs, Grumpy’s, Granny Jz’s, Taste Smokers, Grill N’ Chill Spot, and Lenwood BBQ against each other in a smoky showdown. New for 2025, there will be local craft brews, wine, and spirits from local favorites like Bru Daddy’s, Allentown Brew Works, Hijinx, Bovino’s Brewery, County Seats, Franklin Hill, Social Still, Hardball Cider, and more.

Headlining this year’s festival is Parker Barrow, the blazing Southern blues-rock band led by real-life couple Megan Kane and Dylan Turner. Their breakout album Jukebox Gypsies wowed critics, with Rock & Blues Muse hailing their sound as “genuine and true.” Expect powerhouse vocals, sizzling guitars, and a live show with charisma and grit. Joining Parker Barrow is Shane Guerrette, the retro soul-rocker with millions of streams and many tours under his wing, known for electrifying performances that nod to legends while forging his own path.

• Co. Spirals – Surf, psych, and twang from Lehigh Valley’s rising alt-blues scene
• Audio Files (Blues Set) – Local band bringing homegrown blues energy and soulful sounds to the stage
• Dirty Mae – A genre-bending, theatrical ride through blues, folk, and Americana
• James Supra Band – Lehigh Valley blues royalty known for explosive harmonica-fueled performances
• Mississippi Pig Farmers – Blues storytelling from a lifetime of gigs and grit
• Regina Bonelli – A powerhouse blues singer and keyboardist with soulful storytelling
• Steve Johnson – Colorado man's rock show and Lehigh Valley musical marvel
• The Blues Reincarnation Project – Youthful energy, global roots, and guitar mastery
• The Groove Merchants – High-octane funk and soul fusion from festival circuit favorites
• Tavern Tan – “Live American Music” from dive bar legends and roots-rock masters

In addition to music, there will also be live painting, chalk murals, interactive art, artisan vendors, and kids' activities. Be on the lookout for afterparties along Hamilton Street and other music events taking place at Archer Music Hall!