Smoke This" Rib Fest 2026

The Rib Fest is a culinary showdown pitting pitmaster against pitmaster for the title of the best ribs in town. The event is perfect for all ages, so come and enjoy some BBQ, live music and so much more. There will be plenty of food and fun to be had, but for the best chance to sample a variety of ribs and to cast your vote for the People’s Choice, you’ll need a Taste Ticket. This will get you 10 rib samples from the restaurants of your choice on a first come first serve basis. Taste Tickets go on sale on September 1st. Taste Tickets sell out every year, so each restaurant will also be selling a dish at a great price, showcasing food from their fall menu. So even if you miss out on buying a Taste Ticket, you can still enjoy tasty food from some of the best restaurants in Cambridge! Live music will be provided by some of your local favorites, including Albino Mbie, Sarah Borges and Mike Oram, Royer's One Man Band, and The Atwood's feat. Sean Staples, Jimmy Ryan, Chris Anzalone & Jeremy Dryden! Also stop by The East End House for kid’s crafts and games. The growing list of participating restaurants include Althea, Bambara Kitchen and Bar, Catalyst, Dumpling Xuan, Filarmonica Santo Antonio, Formaggio Kitchen Kendall, Gufo, Locke Bar, Lone Star Taco Bar, New Republik, Oak Bistro, Olé, Revival Cafe, Rindge Culinary Students, Scull & Keel Fish House and Spirits, Shy Bird, and State Park. Rib Fest is a perfect opportunity to get a taste of the local fare in and near East Cambridge and is produced by The East Cambridge Business Association and sponsored by Cambridge Office forTourism, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, BXP, DivcoWest, BioMed Realty, City of Cambridge, MITIMCo, CambridgeSide, Dirty Water Fitness, East Cambridge Savings Bank, Fairlane Property, Inc., 40 Thorndike, MIT, Naveo Credit Union, Renewal by Anderson, Surfside, Urban Spaces, Cambridge Savings Bank, East End House, Fresh Connection, Laborers Union Local 151, Riverside Properties, Takeda, Vinfen, Arts Council, Cambridge Printing Co., Eversource, Rock & Roll Daycare, and Cambridge Spirits. For more information, and to purchase taste tickets, visit eastcambridgeba.com/smoke-this-rib-fest The mission of the East Cambridge Business Association is to promote and maintain sustainable commerce in East Cambridge; to be a single voice for its members; to promote activities that bond East Cambridge businesses with their neighborhood; to preserve the historical integrity and importance of East Cambridge; and to promote an active stewardship of our neighborhood.