The annual Derby BBQ & Music Festival in Derby’s High Park is a family favorite! This FREE event will be held June 13 & 14, 2025! This annual family-friendly event includes live music, food, and kid’s activities. Admission is FREE. There are an average of about 50 professional BBQ teams from the Midwest. There will be a full slate of activities, including the People’s Choice Tasting Contest, Smile Safari and Derby Orthodontics Kids Corner, live music on the Don Hattan Mainstage, and tasty food options on the Security 1st Title Food Truck Row.
Guests can expect a fun-filled weekend at High Park in Derby! The younger attendees can enjoy the Kids Corner, which has had princesses, face painting, bounce houses, foam parties, and more in years past. The older guests can enjoy beverages from the Beer Garden and live music on both nights, along with a cornhole tournament, car show, and more.
Fun Facts about Derby BBQ & Music Fest:
- It’s FREE to attend, with FREE live music and FREE activities in the kid’s corner.
- BBQ tasting kits, drinks, and food are available to purchase.
- The BBQ competitions include the KCBS Cook-off and the Backyard BBQ Cook-off.
- Proceeds from this event benefit the McConnell Air Force Base Military and Family
Readiness Center. In the past, the City of Derby has donated $20,000 of proceeds from this event to
the center over 12 years. - The BBQ & Music Fest is Derby’s largest event, drawing thousands of people over two days.
- They average about 50 professional BBQ teams from the Midwest.
The Derby Public Library will also hold its 5th Annual Medallion Hunt. Starting Monday, June
9, look for clues at DerbyLibrary.com, and Facebook page, @DerbyLibrary. The winner will
receive a $100 gift card and BBQ prize package.
Derby BBQ & Music Fest Schedule of Events
Friday, June 13 from 6 to 10 p.m.
- BRG Precision Products Kids Que, 5:30 p.m., age groups 6-10 and 11-15
- People’s Choice Tasting Contest, 7 to 9 p.m.
- Buy a $5 tasting kit to try six two-ounce samples of competition pulled pork
- Tasting kits will go on sale at 6:30 p.m. at the tent south of the amphitheater (new location this year)
- Oak & Iron Lanes, 6 to 10 p.m. – free axe throwing
- Live music on the Don Hattan Derby Mainstage
- Road 23, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Howard Mahan and Friends, 8 to 10 p.m.
- Derby Recreation Commission Toss Like a Boss Cornhole Tournament, 6 to 8 p.m.
- Register by June 10 & must be 16 years old or older.
- Cornhole Tournamnet Registration
- Security 1 st Title Food Truck Row, Derby Lions Club Beer & Beverage Tent, Shaken
- or Stirred Bartending, First Man Brewery, and Sweet Swig
Saturday, June 14
The Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) Cook-off Masters Series and the Lamar
Advertising Backyard BBQ Cook-off for aspiring pitmasters will take place on the east side of
High Park pond. Team registration is open at DerbyBBQ.com.
Attendees can sample pulled pork prepared by BBQ teams on Friday, June 13, at the
People’s Choice Tasting Contest at 7 p.m., Team-prepared BBQ will not be available on
Saturday, June. 14.
Saturday, June 14 from 9 am – 3 pm
- 7:30 a.m.: Derby Recreation Commission Smokin’ 5K Race
- 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Derby Rotary Club Hot Wheels for Hot Meals Car Show, upper north parking lot. Register at Facebook.com/hotwheelsforhotmeals.
- 9 to 11 a.m.: Breakfast food options on the Security 1st Title Food Truck Row ,plus Bloody Marys and mimosas served by Shaken or Stirred Bartending
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Smile Safari and Derby Orthodontics Kids Corner open south of the amphitheater (new location this year). Activities include foam parties, bounce houses, princesses, face painting, Derby Fire & Rescue activities, Toss with a Derby Twin, and more.
- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Security 1st Title Food Truck Row, Derby Lions Club Beer & Beverage Tent, Shaken or Stirred Bartending, First Man Brewery, and Sweet Swig
There will be a break in scheduled activities at the park from 3 to 6 p.m. for the BBQ Awards
Saturday, June 14 from 6 to 10 pm
- 6 to 7:30 p.m.: Nuke Bushner
- 8 to 10 p.m.: Jed Harrelson (returning from our 2024 event)
- 6 to 10 p.m.: Security 1st Title Food Truck Row, Derby Lions Club Beer & Beverage Tent, Shaken or Stirred Bartending, First Man Brewery, and Sweet Swig
Smoke on the Plains Concert Lineup, Derby BBQ & Music Fest
The 2025 concert lineup has been released! Here are the performers for each night:
Friday, June 13, concerts in High Park
- Road 23 (6-7:30 pm)
- Howard Mahan & Friends (8-10 pm)
Saturday, June 14, concerts in High Park
- Nuke Bushner (6-7:30 pm)
- Jed Harrelson (8-10 pm)
The event began in 2011 as The National BBQ Derby. It started small and has grown over the years. In 2014, it changed its name to the Derby BBQ Festival and became a KCBS (Kansas City Barbeque Society) event. In 2019, it added a music festival and changed its name to the Smoke on the Plains Derby BBQ & Music Fest. It was our sesquicentennial celebration. Their logo has seen several changes over the years as well, but it’s the same great event.
Date: June 13 – 14, 2025
Time:
- June 13 from 6 to 10 p.m.
- June 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Location: High Park, 2801 E. James St., Derby, KS
Price: Free!
Parking: On-site parking will be available in the paved lots and grass parking will be available
accessible from the east Madison Ave. entrance. An ADA parking lot will be available on the
north side of the Zimmerman Family Shelter. We will also have the All States Home Improvement Shuttles to get you to the action faster. Look for a golf cart shuttle for a
complimentary ride. The Derby Dash will also provide shuttle service.
Find more of Wichita’s Favorite Festivals.
