Calling all music lovers, BBQ enthusiasts, craft beer aficionados, and fun-loving families! If you’re anywhere near the Charlotte/Lake Norman region this fall, the Bands, Brews & BBQ Festival 2025 in Mooresville, NC is the place to be. This annual festival is quickly becoming one of the most anticipated events in the area – and for good reason. It’s free to attend, family-friendly on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Liberty Park in Downtown Mooresville. Whether it’s your first time or your third, here are some fun, must-know tips (in true “what to know before you go” fashion) to make the most of Bands, Brews & BBQ 2025!

1. Save the Date (and Your Appetite!)

Mark your calendar for September 13, 2025, 4–9 p.m! You don’t want to miss this evening of food, music, and fun. The Bands, Brews & BBQ Festival is only in its third year and already an award-winning hit (it even snagged a “Rising Star Award” in 2024 for outstanding new festivals). Admission is free and all ages are welcome, so plan to bring the whole crew. It all goes down at Liberty Park and along Church Street in Downtown Mooresville, giving you a great backdrop of the town as the festival lights up the night.

Come hungry because this event is a food lover’s dream. The festival will showcase over 20 BBQ food trucks offering a wide variety of barbecue styles and Southern-inspired dishes. You’ll get to sample some of the Southeast’s top BBQ – from smoky pulled pork and tangy Carolina-style ribs to other mouth-watering Southern eats. Pro tip: arrive with an empty stomach and big cravings! With so many vendors, you’ll want to taste a little bit of everything. (Don’t worry, there will be plenty of napkins for all that delicious BBQ sauce.)

2. BBQ Heaven Awaits

If you’re a BBQ fan, this festival is your paradise. As mentioned, there will be 20+ BBQ vendors serving up their best recipes. Each food truck brings its own flavor – you might find Texas-style brisket at one, Eastern North Carolina vinegar BBQ at another, maybe some Memphis dry-rub or Kansas City sweet sauce in the mix. It’s a culinary tour of BBQ in one place. Translation for first-timers: come ready to feast!

You can snack and sample your way through pulled pork, smoked chicken, brisket, ribs, and all the classic sides. Don’t be that person who eats a big lunch beforehand – you’ll regret it when you smell the smokers going. Instead, plan on an early light lunch, then indulge in festival goodness all evening. While BBQ is the star, you’ll likely find other food and dessert trucks around the grounds, so save room for something sweet, too.

**Jo Dee Messina at Bands Brews & BBQ 2023**

3. Enjoy the Epic Live Music Lineup

One of the biggest draws of Bands, Brews & BBQ is, of course, the bands! This year’s live music lineup is truly one for the books, so you’ll want to catch every performance. The music kicks off at 4:15 p.m. with Lake Norman’s own DialUp Radio – a local favorite to get the party started. Then the energy really ramps up with not one but two multi-platinum headliners taking the stage: Jefferson Starship at 5:15 p.m. and Night Ranger at 7:30 p.m. Yep! We’re talking legendary rock bands back-to-back in Downtown Mooresville!

Jefferson Starship is famous for timeless anthems like “We Built This City” and “Jane.” Night Ranger is the arena-rock icon behind hits like “Sister Christian” and “(You Can Still) Rock in America.” These are songs that generations know and love, and you’ll get to experience them live, under the stars, for free!

Night Ranger has sold over 17 million albums and performed over 4,000 shows in their career, and Jefferson Starship is celebrating 50 years of rock greatness, so expect a high-octane, nostalgia-filled show from both. First-timer tip: Get there early! Bring a lawn chair or blanket to set up a comfy spot in front of the stage early on, then get ready to rock out! You’ll be dancing, singing, and sipping along and digging into the BBQ all night long.

4. Family Fun for Everyone

Thinking about getting a babysitter? Don’t bother – bring the whole family! Bands, Brews & BBQ is designed to be fun for all ages, and there’s an entire Family Fun Zone to keep kids (and kids-at-heart) entertained. The Family Fun Zone, presented by Piedmont Healthcare, will be packed with amusement rides, games, and interactive activities for children and guests of all ages. From bouncy rides and carnival games to face painting and who-knows-what-else, your little ones will have a blast. It’s a festival and a mini carnival combined, so no one in the family feels left out of the fun.

Parents, rest easy: the event is well-organized and safe. There’s an Information Tent on site which serves as the central hub for any lost-and-found needs – including a Lost Child Station if you and your child get separated (It’s always a good idea at big events to pick an easy meeting spot, just in case.) The organizers have thought of everything so that you can enjoy the festival without worry. Plus, the kiddos will be too busy on the rides and gobbling down funnel cakes to wander far! This event is designed to be an awesome outing for everyone, from toddlers to grandparents.

5. Raise a Glass at the B3 Beer Garden

Beer lovers, this one’s for you. The festival’s “B3 Beer Garden” is the perfect place to kick back and sample some fantastic brews. You’ll find a curated selection of craft beers from local and regional breweries on tap. This means you can sip on everything from hoppy IPAs to crisp lagers, and perhaps a seasonal, refreshing cider. There’s a little something for every taste. It’s a great opportunity to discover new North Carolina craft beers and support local brewers while you’re at it!

Be sure to stroll through the Beer Garden to see what’s pouring. Festival-goers get the chance to try a wide range of beer styles, so don’t just grab the first thing you recognize – venture out of your comfort zone and taste a few samples (responsibly, of course!). One special brew to look out for: a beer created by Mooresville’s own Ghostface Brewing exclusively for the festival, with proceeds benefiting the U.S. Olympic Bobsled Team. Drinking beer and supporting a good cause at the same time? We’ll cheers to that!

First-timer tip: The Beer Garden is an awesome chill-out zone. If you need a break from the crowds or a place to sit and relax, this is it. Grab a cold pint, find a table or shady spot, and enjoy the festival atmosphere. Don’t forget your ID if you’re 21+ and plan to enjoy the brews. And if beer isn’t your thing, no worries – there will be non-alcoholic drinks and plenty of other refreshments available too.

6. Plan Your Parking & Ride the Shuttle

Worried about parking or traffic in Downtown Mooresville? Don’t be! The town has made it easy to get to the festival without the hassle. Skip the parking stress and take advantage of the free park-and-ride shuttle service. Here’s how it works: park for free at One Mooresville Center (750 W. Iredell Ave.), a location away from the downtown congestion, and hop on the shuttle bus.

The shuttle, sponsored by Parks Automotive Group, drops guests off in the public parking lot right behind Wells Fargo, just steps from Liberty Park. Shuttles will run continuously from 2:45 p.m. to 10 p.m., allowing you to arrive and leave at your own schedule. (Yes, there’s an accessible shuttle available too for anyone with mobility needs.) Taking the shuttle means you won’t have to hunt for a downtown parking spot or walk long distances. Plus, it’s completely free!

If you prefer to drive yourself into downtown, there will be some public parking areas, but they may fill up fast. Another good option for the 21+ crowd: use a rideshare service (Uber/Lyft). There’s a designated rideshare pick-up/drop-off spot at the public lot on the corner of Iredell Ave. and Church St. (across from the Chamber of Commerce). Easy to find, and hard to miss!

7. Make It a Mooresville Weekend

Why limit the fun to just one evening? If you’re traveling from out of town (or even if you’re local and want a staycation), consider making a weekend of it in Mooresville. There’s plenty to do in and around town beyond the festival itself. Mooresville is conveniently located just a short drive from Charlotte and offers affordable lodging options for everyone. Whether you’re a racing fan looking to explore Race City USA’s motorsports attractions or a nature lover wanting to relax by Lake Norman, you’ll find a comfy place to rest your head after the festival. Check out Visit Mooresville’s hotels page for a full list of places to stay– from familiar hotels to cozy inns near downtown and Lake Norman.

While you’re here, take time to explore what Mooresville has to offer. There are wonderful local restaurants, charming downtown shops, and if you have kiddos, you might visit attractions like JR Motorsports, Carrigan Farms for apple picking, or The Pit Indoor Kart Track. Be sure to see if any other events are happening around the same time – Mooresville’s calendar stays busy with concerts, food truck rallies, art festivals, and more throughout the year. You might catch another fun event the next day or discover a cool activity for Friday or Sunday before you head home.

Ready to rock, savor, and sip your way through an unforgettable fall festival? We hope this first-timer’s guide has you pumped for the 2025 Bands, Brews & BBQ Festival. It’s going to be an epic evening filled with finger-lickin’ food, toe-tappin’ tunes, and good times galore. Gather your friends and family, plan your trip, and get ready to experience Mooresville like never before. For the latest updates, band announcements, or any last-minute info, be sure to check the official event page on Mooresville Arts & Events and follow @VisitMooresville and @MooresvilleEvents on social media. And, of course, if you need help with planning your visit – from hotels to other activities – Visit Mooresville has you covered.

See you on September 13th at Liberty Park for a night of bands, brews, BBQ and big fun in Mooresville! Bring your appetite, bring your lawn chair, and bring your party mood – this is one fall festival you do not want to miss.

First-Timer’s Guide to the 2025 Bands, Brews & BBQ Festival in Mooresville, NC