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Port Moody Ribfest

DATE & TIME
July 17 – 19, 2026
11:00 am to 8:00 or 9:00 pm.

VENUE
Rocky Point Park
2800 Murray Street, Port Moody

TICKETS
Entrance by donation 
All earnings support local charities

FROM VANCOUVER
30 to 40 minutes by car
SkyTrain Expo Line to Moody Centre

 

BBQ, Live Music and Family Fun at Rocky Point Park

Ribfest is built around professional barbecue teams, a full weekend of live music, family activities and a park-wide beverage setup. The event is hosted by the Rotary Club of Port Moody and is designed as a fundraiser, with donations and event earnings supporting community projects.

The festival has a simple rhythm. Arrive, choose a ribber, find a place to sit, listen to a set, and repeat. It works because the venue does not feel separate from the event. The pier, trails, lawns, playground and waterpark are all connected.

Port Moody Ribfest and R&B All Stars

 

Rocky Point Park and Port Moody

Rocky Point Park sits on the south shore of Burrard Inlet, close to Moody Centre Station and Port Moody’s Brewers Row. For more on the venue, see Vancouver’s Best Places guide to Rocky Point Park.

As a festival location, the park gives Ribfest a practical advantage. Families can use the playground and waterpark, music fans can stay close to the stage, and visitors who want a quieter break can walk toward the pier or waterfront paths before heading back for more food.

For more information, visit the official Port Moody Ribfest website. 

Port Moody Ribfest and Coco Jaffro

 

The BBQ

The ribs are the highlight of the weekend. Seven ribbers travel to Port Moody with their own sauces, smoke profiles, sides and serving styles. Some are long-running names on the Canadian ribfest circuit. Others bring a local or regional connection that gives people a reason to compare plates before deciding on a favourite.

The list of vendors:

  • Prairie Smoke & Spice Winnipeg – Manitoba Fourteen-time Grand Champion.
  • Rusty’s BBQ Port Moody, BC – Local Port Moody favourite.
  • Smoke Dem Bones Penticton, BC – BC Interior barbecue style.
  • Grizzly BBQ Victoria, BC – Vancouver Island ribber on the road.
  • Gator BBQ Port Dover, Ontario – Ontario team with a Southern-inspired approach.
  • Jack the Ribber St. Thomas, Ontario – Regular name on the ribfest circuit.
  • Boss Hog’s BBQ London, Ontario – Long-running Canadian ribfest competitor with a large touring setup.

Ribber judging: Official judging takes place on Sunday afternoon, with awards announced after the judges sample ribs and sauces from the competing vendors. Categories typically include ribs, sauce and overall champion.

 

Craft Drinks and Other Food

Ribfest is not limited to ribs. The official festival site lists food and drink options beyond the main ribbers, and the park-wide liquor licence means purchased beverages can be enjoyed around the event grounds rather than inside a separate beer garden.

That setup makes the festival feel more open. People can stay near the music, sit with family, or move between food, seating and the waterfront without leaving the licensed area. Water bottle filling stations are available on-site, and sealed non-alcoholic drinks are permitted under the festival rules.

Tip: Outside liquor is not allowed. The official food and drink page also notes that guests who look under 30 need two pieces of ID for liquor purchases.

Music at Port Moody Ribfest

 

The 2026 Live Music Lineup​

Music runs across all three days on a single stage. The 2026 program mixes tribute acts, cover bands, blues, roots, country-rock, R&B and local performers. The schedule below follows the official lineup available at the time of writing.

 

Friday, July 17


12:00 pm Steve Sainas Solo – acoustic contemporary roots with rhythmic guitar and storytelling.
1:45 pm Jason Lane Band Rock – blues and pop fusion from the 2023 BC Blues Challenge champions.
4:00 pm Gift Shop – Tribute to The Tragically Hip.
5:30 pm Perfectly Petty – Tom Petty tribute act.
7:30 pm David Wills & The DYNAM!CS – R&B and soul revue with singers, horns and a full rhythm section.

 

Saturday, July 18


11:00 am Miss Shauna – Soulful vocals and storytelling.
12:30 pm Sons of Stanley – Covers, medleys and mashups from more than 50 years of music.
2:15 pm Shawn Daniels Band – Canadian outlaw country, blues and rock.
4:00 pm Los Meatballs – Roots dance music, ballads and four-part harmonies.
5:45 pm Feelin’ Alright – Joe Cocker tribute with horn section and veteran musicians.
7:30 pm Blue Collar Overdrive – Bachman-Turner Overdrive tribute.

 

Sunday, July 19


11:00 am Blake Havard – Guitar-led storytelling with an easygoing afternoon sound.
12:30 pm Nun the Wizer – Port Moody locals playing pop and rock.
3:15 pm Steve Sainas Trio – Classic rock and blues tributes.
5:15 pm Pop Junkies – Dance band covering rock, country and pop.
6:45 pm Truly Tina – Tina Turner tribute show.

 

Family Activities

The Family Fun Zone gives younger visitors more to do between meals and music sets. There’s miniature golf, a climbing wall, archery practice, a splash zone and other activities across the weekend. The park also has a playground, waterpark and outdoor pool, which makes Ribfest easier for families planning to stay for several hours.

Family Tip: Bring swimsuits for kids. The waterpark and outdoor pool are nearby, and Rocky Point Ice Cream is a short walk from the festival area.

For more information, visit the official Port Moody Ribfest website. 

 

Fundraising and the 50/50 Draw

Ribfest is the Rotary Club of Port Moody’s major annual fundraising event. The festival began in 2015, draws an estimated 50,000 visitors over three days, and requires around 700 volunteers to operate.

The festival also runs a charitable 50/50 draw. For 2026, the earnings support the Rotary Starfish Program, SHARE Family and Community Services, Food Link Society and KidSport, with a maximum jackpot of $240,000 and a maximum winner payout of $120,000.

Getting There

Transit

Transit is the easiest option for many visitors. Moody Centre Station is less than a kilometre from Rocky Point Park, and the walk is straightforward from the station to the festival grounds. This is especially useful during peak hours, when traffic and nearby parking are tight.

Driving and Parking

Some parking is available near the park, at the Port Moody Soccer Field and by Moody Centre Station, but spots are limited during the festival. If you drive, arrive early and expect to walk.

Practical Tips

  • Take transit if you can, especially on Saturday afternoon and Sunday during judging and awards.
  • Bring sun protection and a refillable water bottle.
  • Expect queues at peak meal times. Going between lunch and dinner can make ordering easier.
  • Try more than one ribber if you are going with a group. It is the easiest way to compare sauces and styles.
  • Check the official website before leaving, since event rules, schedules and ticketed lounge details can change.

Official website: portmoodyribfest.ca
Music lineup: portmoodyribfest.ca/plan-your-visit/live-music/
Other articles that might be of interest: Ribfest Langley, Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival