This Father’s Day weekend, the King of the County BBQ and Music Festival returns to Martinez Waterfront Park. Prepare for three days of incredible BBQ, live music, family fun, and a community celebration.
Hosted by the Martinez Chamber of Commerce, and presented by Martinez Refinery Company, our team at Diablo Gazette love sponsoring this event.
Now a community tradition, this event draws more than 20,000 attendees each year for a waterfront weekend filled with live entertainment, amazing food and shopping selections, kids’ fun zone and activities for all ages.
Admission is free, as is parking, making it the perfect Father’s Day weekend destination for families throughout the Bay Area.
Festival goers can enjoy live music from eight top local bands (see schedule below), while enjoying extraordinary BBQ and other delicious food, local wine and beer, kids rides, arts and crafts and commercial exhibitors.
Festival hours are Friday 5:00 – 9:00 p.m., Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Father’s Day Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Backyard BBQ Competition Brings the Heat
The heart of the festival is a BBQ Cook-off on Saturday and Sunday that pits around 30 BBQ teams from across the region to battle it out for the coveted title of “King of the County.” Each day is a separate contest.
Witness returning champions, family teams and first-time competitors all slow cookin’, smoking and grilling looking to claim bragging rights while taking home trophies, swag and cash prizes. All entries are judged through a blind tasting process overseen by event committee leadership and table monitors to ensure a fair and competitive experience for every team.
Whether you come for the BBQ, the music, the shopping, the rides or the family-friendly atmosphere, the King of the County BBQ and Music Festival is the perfect event to celebrate with Dad.
Live Music Schedule
Friday, June 19, 2026
6:30 – 9:00pm Ruby Party Band – High Energy Dance from the 80’s, 90’s, and 2000’s, www.ruby-band.com
Saturday June 20
11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. The Great Space Coaster
A Really Good Cover Band www.gscoasterband.com
2:00pm – 4:00 p.m. Garage Land Rodeo
A Free-Wheeling 5 Piece Powerhouse That Revels In Rock, Blues, And A Whole Lot Of Soul www.garagelandrodeo.com
4:00pm – 4:30pm BBQ Competition Awards!
Saturday’s BBQ Competition – 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards presented to the winners.
4:30pm – 6:30pm Southbound 101
Modern Country www.southbound101.com
7:00pm – 9:00pm The New Frantics
Rock – Roll – Groove www.thenewfrantics.com
Sunday, June 21, 2026
11:30am – 1:30pm The Landbirds
High Energy 60’s Rock & Roll
2:00pm – 4:00pm Rusty Giraffe
Classic/Modern Rock & Pop www.facebook.com/rustygiraffe
4:00pm – 4:30pm BBQ Competition Awards!
Sunday’s BBQ Competition – 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards are presented to the winners.
4:30pm – 6:00pm Evan Thomas & The Brotherhood
High Energy Funky Soulful Blues www.evanthomasband.com