Texas BBQ season doesn’t slow down in February, it shifts into high gear. As rodeos ramp up and championship cookoffs take center stage, February becomes one of the most exciting months of the year for BBQ teams, fans, and travelers alike.
From charity-driven community cookoffs to one of the largest BBQ competitions on the planet, February 2026 offers a full spectrum of Texas BBQ experiences. Whether you’re competing, spectating, or planning a food-focused road trip, this guide breaks down exactly what’s happening and where.
Quick Answer: What Texas BBQ events happen in February?
February is peak season for rodeo-attached BBQ cookoffs, championship competitions, and large charity events across Texas. Expect multi-day contests, major team turnouts, live music, and strong opportunities to combine BBQ with travel and festivals.
Types of BBQ Events in Texas – February 2026
| Type | What it means |
|---|---|
| Rodeo-Attached BBQ Cookoffs | Massive multi-day BBQ competitions tied to Texas rodeos, featuring hundreds of teams, public tickets, concerts, and carnival events. |
| Championship & Sanctioned Cookoffs | Structured, judged competitions (often CBA or IBCA) with standardized meat categories and championship titles. |
| Charity & Community Cookoffs | Fundraiser-driven events supporting youth programs, scholarships, or local nonprofits. |
| Industry & Association Events | Cookoffs hosted by trade groups or associations, often blending competition with networking and community outreach. |
Texas BBQ Events – February 2026
Sorted by start date, then city
Cowtown Cook-Off & Music Festival
Dates: February 20–21, 2026
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Type: BBQ competition + music festival
Sanctioning Body: Independent / charity-driven
Scale: Regional
This charity-focused BBQ weekend blends competitive cook teams with live music and a public festival atmosphere. Proceeds benefit Fort Worth Cops For Kids, making this a feel-good stop on the February BBQ calendar.
Website: https://onecau.se/cowtowncookoff
BBQ Road Trip Tip: While in Fort Worth, explore the city’s growing BBQ scene and classic stockyard culture a solid pairing for a weekend cookoff visit.
Coastal Bend Home Builders Association BBQ Cook-Off
Dates: February 20–21, 2026
Location: Sinton, Texas
Type: Sanctioned BBQ cookoff
Sanctioning Body: IBCA
Scale: Regional
A well-organized two-day cookoff featuring traditional turn-ins and jackpots. This event draws teams from South Texas and the Coastal Bend, offering a competitive but community-focused atmosphere.
Website: https://cbhba.org
Matagorda County Fair BBQ Cookoff
Dates: February 21, 2026
Location: Bay City, Texas
Type: Sanctioned BBQ competition
Sanctioning Body: CBA
Scale: Regional
Held alongside the Matagorda County Fair, this cookoff combines competition BBQ with fairgrounds energy livestock shows, family events, and strong local attendance.
Website: https://cbabbq.com
World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest (RODEOHOUSTON)
Dates: February 26–28, 2026
Location: Houston, Texas
Type: Major rodeo-attached BBQ competition & festival
Sanctioning Body: Independent (RODEOHOUSTON)
Scale: National
This is the heavyweight of February BBQ events. Hundreds of teams, massive crowds, corporate tents, and national recognition make this one of the most prestigious BBQ competitions in the country.
Public tickets, concerts, and entertainment make this a must-see event even if you’re not competing.
Website: https://www.rodeohouston.com
BBQ Road Trip Tip: Houston is packed with elite BBQ joints. Use the ExploringBBQ Directory to build a weekend eating plan before or after the cookoff.
Live Oak County Fair BBQ Cookoff
Dates: February 27–28, 2026
Location: George West, Texas
Type: Sanctioned BBQ cookoff
Sanctioning Body: CBA
Scale: Regional
A classic county-fair-style cookoff with standard meat categories and jackpots. This event blends competition BBQ with a strong community presence and fairground activities.
Website: https://cbabbq.com
Nationally Recognized BBQ Events Outside Texas – February 2026
| Event | Dates | Location | Type | Scale | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EFSC Titans of BBQ Cook-Off | Feb 21, 2026 | Cocoa, FL | BBQ competition & festival | National draw | https://www.efsc.edu |
| Jack’s Old South Cooking School | Feb 20–22, 2026 | Unadilla, GA | BBQ education camp | National | https://www.floridabbqassociation.com |
These events are widely recognized across the BBQ competition and education circuit and often attract teams or attendees who also compete in Texas.
Why February Is a Prime Month for BBQ Travel
- Cooler temperatures for cooking and spectating
- Rodeo season energy across the state
- High concentration of large-scale, well-organized events
- Easy to pair competitions with BBQ restaurant road trips
February is one of the best months to combine competition BBQ with travel, especially in cities like Houston, Fort Worth, and South Texas.
Planning Ahead
This post will be updated as new February 2026 events are confirmed. If you know of an event we missed or are organizing a cookoff, let us know so we can include it.
👉 Looking for March events next? We’re tracking those now.
👉 Want to build a BBQ road trip? Explore the Texas BBQ Directory to find top joints near these events.
We want to hear from you
Are you competing, attending, or road-tripping to a February BBQ event? Tell us where you’re headed, what you’re cooking, or which stops you’d add to the route. Your feedback helps us build better BBQ travel and event guides for the entire community.
