Blues, Brews & BBQ

Join us for our 8th annual celebration of world-class Blues musicians, a myriad of local craft breweries, and smoking BBQ vendors.

Date

Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025

Time

12:00-6:00pm PST

Where

Washington Park
740 Central Avenue, Alameda

Prices

FREE with RSVP

*RSVP for a chance to win 3 free drinks packages and 3 free festival T-shirts.

Six names will be selected randomly from our RSVP list to be our lucky winners. Winners will be notified by email and prizes will be distributed at the festival from the West End Arts District booth.

  • MJs Brass Boppers

    5:00-6:00pm
    Authentic New Orleans singing and swinging Second Line brass band fusing traditional NOLA standards, funk, jazz, modern pop, and more.

    Learn More

  • Lavay Smith

    & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers
    3:30-4:30pm
    Performing classics and obscure gems from the golden age of jazz, blues and R&B.

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  • HowellDevine

    2:00-3:00pm
    Deftly mix rural blues with wildly syncopated rhythms to create a rollicking sound that stands in stark contrast to the typical blues heard these days.

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  • Jinx Jones

    12:30-1:30pm
    A San Francisco-based guitar virtuoso that moves from rockabilly to jazz to twang, sometimes in the same song, and a must-see live performer.

    Learn More

Get Involved!

  • Food Vendor Application

    Share your best recipes that compliment the smokers and grills of a BBQ festival. What have you got cookin’ up?

    Sign Up

  • Arts/Community Vendor Application

    Showcase your locally-crafted wares at the festival alongside other makers and artists from the region.

    Sign Up

  • Sponsor the Festival

    Position your brand though a variety of targeted zones or share the festival title as a Presenting Sponsor.

    View Options

Family-Friendly Activities

In addition to the festivities, attendees will have the opportunity to peruse locally-crafted wares from Bay Area vendors. Kids can get crafty and stay engaged at the Family Zone hosted by Ozzy's Music Academy.

The BBQ & Bites

The BBQ grills will be smoking up delicious plates throughout the day. Fuel up beef hot links, smoked ribs, chicken, and bratwurst served up hot by Tante's Catering. BBQ food trucks are bringing their flavor-packed experiences to the festival. Other caterers are offering delicious bites that will pair perfectly with a generous selection of local craft brews.

Featured Craft Beverages from 2024

Sponsors & Partners from 2024

We're green!

We're green!

Join WEAD in our commitment to sustainability! In line with Alameda's Disposable Food Ware ordinance, we've banned single-use plastics at our events.

Say goodbye to waste with our reusable glass beer mugs and wine glasses, available with your drink package purchase.

Plus, all food orders come in compostable-fiber service ware for added eco-friendliness!

Location

Washington Park
740 Central, Alameda, CA 94501

With acres of green space, easy access, and great facilities, the whole family will love this community park turned live music festival. Want to escape the crowds at the stage? Brink a blanket or lawn chair, take the kids to the playground, or even go view the breathtaking San Francisco Bay.

 

Festival FAQs

  • Parking around Washington Park is limited. Where possible, we recommend coming by bike (drop it at our on site Bike Valet). Or take the bus (AC transit line 20 stops right at the park and the line 51 is 2 blocks away). Plan your bus trip here; your destination is 740 Central Avenue, Alameda.

  • No, the festival is free and open to all. We encourage you to RSVP so that we can send you festival updates and you can be automatically entered to win prizes!

  • Yes, all areas of Washington Park are fully accessible.
    PARKING: There will be limited accessible parking available alongside the park on Central Avenue.

    We encourage you to reach out to us at info@westendartsdistrict.org if you have specific access requirements &/or questions.

  • There will be some seating at the event and some shaded areas. Feel free to bring a lawn chair as this is also a public park.

  • Well-behaved dogs are welcome, in accordance with park regulations they must be kept on a leash. Should they need a bit of exercise, there is a dog park in lower Washington Park.