Nisswa Fall Festival & Smokin' Hot BBQ Challenge 2026

ONLINE TICKET SALES HAVE ENDED
PURCHASE IN PERSON ON SATURDAY

Nisswa ushers in fall with the 51st Annual Nisswa Fall Festival on Saturday, September 19. The 21st annual Smokin' Hot BBQ Challenge is also part of this annual fall tradition. Start your day with breakfast hosted by A & W on behalf of the Nisswa Fire Department. You can compete in the bean bag tournament, bocce tournament, head to Pioneer Village for KIDZONE, Fall Artisan & Crafters Market, music and more activities and memory making. 

The tantalizing smell of barbecued ribs wafts throughout the town as teams compete in the Smokin' Hot BBQ Challenge. After ribs are judged, the public gets its chance to taste the creations. Live music throughout the day continues into the night with a live outdoor concert by Wyld Ryce!

BBQ TEAM PRIZE MONEY
1st - $2000
2nd - $1000
3rd - $700
People's Choice - $150
VIP Choice - $150
 

7:00am-10:30am        Nisswa Fire Department Breakfast

                                    A&W Nisswa

10:00am-4:00pm        Fall Artisan and Crafters Market

                                    Pioneer Village

11:00am-1:00pm        Live Music - Brendan Flynn

                                       Pioneer Village

12:00pm-8:00pm        Beer Garden

                                    The Pickle Factory Parking Lot

12:00pm                       Bocce Ball Tournament Registration ($10 per person/Teams of 4)

                                    Information Tent

12:30pm                Cornhole Tournament Registration ($10 per person/Teams of 2)

                                Information Tent

1:00pm            Cornhole Tournament sponsored by Nisswa Ace Hardware

                        The Pickle Factory Parking Lot

1:00pm            Bocce Ball Tournament sponsored by Nic’s Works Tree Service

                        The Pickle Factory Bocce Ball Courts

1:00pm-3:30pm        Live Music - The Mark Peterson Band

                                    The Pickle Stage

2:00pm-4:00pm        BBQ Ticket Sales - 5/$10, 10/$20,15/$30 or $65 VIP

                                    Ticket Trailer

2:00pm            Pie Eating Contest Sign Up

                        Information Tent

3:00pm            Pie Eating Contest sponsored by Knotty Pine Bakery

                        The Pickle Factory Parking Lot

4:00pm-8:00pm        Live Music - Wyld Ryce

                                    The Pickle Stage

4:15pm            Smokin’ Hot BBQ Contest VIP Eating

                        Party Time Rental VIP Tent

4:45pm            Smokin’ Hot BBQ General Eating

                        Smokin’ Hot BBQ area

6:30pm            Smokin’ Hot BBQ Contest winners announced

                        The Pickle Stage