Smoke on the Water BBQ Feast

Fort Lauderdale officials said the Smoke on the Water BBQ Feast is set for Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Esplanade Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The City of Fort Lauderdale posted a traffic advisory on May 9 saying the event will bring a road closure on SW 2nd Street from SW 5th Avenue to SW 4th Avenue from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (fortlauderdale.gov) Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, which promotes the event, lists the gathering as the 10th annual Smoke on the Water BBQ Feast and says it runs from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the park at 400 SW 2nd Street. (goriverwalk.com) ### Where is the festival happening, and when does it start? Esplanade Park at 400 SW 2nd Street is the listed site for the event, according to Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale. (fortlauderdale.gov) The event page says the festival begins at noon and ends at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 16. Saturday, May 16, is also the date in the city’s traffic notice. The advisory says event-related traffic restrictions begin earlier than the festival hours, starting at 7 a.m. and lasting until 7 p.m. ### Which street is closing for the event? (fortlauderdale.gov) SW 2nd Street will be closed between SW 5th Avenue and SW 4th Avenue, the City of Fort Lauderdale said in its advisory. The city said drivers should expect congestion and plan travel times accordingly. The city’s special-event road closures page says Fort Lauderdale now provides a Special Events Calendar and Event Impact Dashboard with information on road and bridge closures, parking impacts and other event details. (goriverwalk.com) That page directs users to the city’s parks events portal for updated impact information. (fortlauderdale.gov) ### What does Riverwalk say people will find there? Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale says the event will bring together pitmasters, barbecue fans and food vendors for smoked and grilled food. The organization’s event listing says guests can expect barbecue offerings including ribs, brisket, pulled pork, sides, drinks, music and craft vendors. (fortlauderdale.gov) The 10th annual listing describes the gathering as one of Riverwalk’s signature events. Riverwalk also says admission to most of its events, including this one, remains free because of sponsor support. (fortlauderdale.gov) ### Who is behind the event? Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale is the named organizer on the event pages and city advisory. The city’s notice sends readers to Riverwalk’s event page for more information, and Riverwalk lists sponsor support from Blakeley Law Firm, P.A., Morningstar Storage – Fat Village, Go Riverwalk Magazine and S. Mark Graphics. (goriverwalk.com) The Riverwalk site also lists contact information for vendor or sponsor inquiries through its events team. That page says inquiries can be directed by email or by phone to the organization. (goriverwalk.com) ### Has this been held before? Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale calls the May 16 event the 10th annual Smoke on the Water BBQ Feast. Archived Riverwalk listings show earlier editions in April 2023, April 2024 and April 2025 at Esplanade Park, indicating the event has been staged in prior years under the same name. (fortlauderdale.gov) Riverwalk’s current event pages place the 2026 edition in a broader lineup of downtown events. Its site lists the next Riverwalk-branded event after Smoke on the Water as the 26th Annual Riverwalk Tribute on May 28, 2026. (goriverwalk.com) ### Where can attendees check for updates today? The City of Fort Lauderdale says full traffic information is available through its event and road-closure resources. Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale says event-specific details for Smoke on the Water BBQ Feast are posted on its event page. (goriverwalk.com) May 28, 2026, is the next date listed on Riverwalk’s current happenings page after Saturday’s barbecue festival. Riverwalk says that event, the 26th Annual Riverwalk Tribute, is scheduled for Riverside Hotel. (fortlauderdale.gov) (goriverwalk.com)