Ribs fall off the bone, champions fall off the throne
September 11 - 13, 2026 — Packages Live!
Indulge in a feast of ribs at the 13th annual Esquimalt Ribfest! World-famous ribbers compete to win over your taste buds — You be the judge of their cooking! With a variety of flavors and secret recipes, prepare yourself for the ultimate palate sensation. Vendors will have pork ribs, in addition to other options on the menu. Pair your succulent meat with local craft beer, cider and wine including Driftwood Brewery, Lighthouse Brewing and Merridale Cider. Plus, be sure to check out Ribfest’s live entertainment all day long!
DAY TRIP PACKAGES
Option 1: The Taster
From $79 USD per person
The Taster Package Includes:
- Round trip, walk-on ferry fare
- Transportation between the Victoria terminal and Esquimalt Ribfest
- One half rack of pork ribs, half pulled pork and two sides from your choice of any rib vendor at the festival*
*The sides will differ per rib vendor.
Option 2: Feast Mode
$20 USD upgrade | From $99 USD per person
Feast Mode Package Includes:
- Round trip, walk-on ferry fare
- Transportation between the Victoria terminal and Esquimalt Ribfest
- VIP seating in the Blue Buffalo Saloon — No waiting in line ups!
- All inclusive food from all six ribbers, including pork ribs, chicken and various sides
- All inclusive drinks from Blue Buffalo Saloon vendors including beer, cider, wine and non alcoholic drinks
Your FEAST MODE pass will give you access to the VIP area from 11:00am to 1:30pm.
Please Note: Ribfest packages MUST be booked over the phone. Please call our packaging department at 877-386-2202 for more information or to book.
Important Notes
You must catch the 8:20am sailing from Port Angeles to take advantage of the complimentary Ribfest shuttle. The shuttle will depart in front of our Victoria terminal at 10:45am. The shuttle will depart Ribfest at 1:45pm and 3:45pm to return to our Victoria terminal.
If you choose to take the 12:45pm sailing, you must find your own way to Ribfest. Ribfest is located about a 15 minute drive from our Victoria terminal, which is about a $15 CAD taxi ride.
Day Trip Itinerary
7:50am: Arrive at the Port Angeles terminal.
8:20am: Depart from Port Angeles.
9:50am: Arrive in Victoria and go through Canada Customs. If you are staying overnight, you can store your bags at the hotel you booked, and walk back to the Victoria terminal to board the shuttle to Ribfest.
10:45am: Shuttle departs from our Victoria terminal to Ribfest.
11:00am: Arrive at Ribfest.
1:45pm: The first shuttle departs from Ribfest back to our Victoria terminal. This shuttle will get you back in time for the 3:00pm departure back to Port Angeles. Please be back at the terminal by 2:30pm for Customs.
3:45pm: The second (and last shuttle) departs from Ribfest back to our Victoria terminal. Arrive in downtown Victoria, and explore at your leisure until the 7:30pm departure.
7:00pm: Arrive at the Victoria terminal and go through US Customs.
7:30pm: Depart from Victoria.
9:00pm: Arrive in Port Angeles and go through a quick US Customs check.
*If you miss the Ribfest shuttle (or want to stay at Ribfest longer!), it is your responsibility to find your way back to downtown Victoria. Taxis between Ribfest and our Victoria terminal will cost about $15 CAD one way.
Want to add an overnight stay in Victoria? Check out our hotel partners here.
2026 RIBBERS
Boss Hog's
More than ten years of smmmokin’ the competition makes Boss Hogs bbq the pride of the Canadian Ribfest Tour folks. With “Taste the Smokin’ Difference” being their team’s motto, it is their utmost goal to provide their patrons with the ultimate barbeque experience. Season after season they become even more successful through consistency, atmosphere, and customer service that is next to none. People continually ask what the secret is and it’s actually pretty simple: The Rub, The Love, and The God Above!!!
Grillbill Willy's BBQ
GrillBilly Willy’s BBQ where hillbilly humor meets championship flavor. Serving up smoke, spice, and belly-bustin’ bites that win hearts (and trophies) every time! A little tang… a LOTTA DANG. Come hungry or don’t come at all.
Prairie Smoke & Spice BBQ
Prairie Smoke & Spice is the home of genuine pit-smoked BBQ catering in Southern Saskatchewan. What began as a single taste of authentic barbeque in Texas eight years ago ignited a deep, enduring passion within us—a passion to create and serve the best, most authentic ‘Q available in the prairies. This dream has now become a reality, with Prairie Smoke & Spice earning numerous awards on the competitive BBQ circuit, a testament to our dedication to delivering top-quality barbecue to our community.
Gator BBQ
For over 30 years, Gator BBQ has been serving up mouth-watering chicken, pulled pork, and ribs to satisfy the hungry crowds at Ribfests all across North America. Touring throughout Canada and the Northern United States, the Smith family of Port Dover has become a staple in the BBQ scene, known for their signature southern BBQ cuisine. Their dedication to quality and flavor has earned them countless awards and accolades at events, solidifying their reputation as one of the top BBQ teams in the industry.
Jack the Ribber
A premier ribbing team that travels all over – Ontario and Canada. Their team has won over 500 awards – and gained over 20 years of BBQ experience! They do Ribs, Chicken & all the fixings.
Grizzly BBQ
Grizzly BBQ, under the expert guidance of Chef Ollie, brings a unique blend of flavors and flair to the BBQ scene. As a fifth-generation Vancouver Islander, Chef Ollie has mastered the art of combining smoke, service, spice, and sass to create ribs that keep people coming back for more. Every dish is crafted with a perfect balance of tradition and innovation, making it a must-try for BBQ lovers. When visiting, be sure to arrive with an appetite, because after enjoying Ollie’s famous ribs, you’ll feel like hibernating!
2026 Ribfest Brews
Driftwood Brewery
Vancouver Island Brewing
Category 12 Brewing
Hoyne Brewing
Howl Brewing
Brass Monkey Brewing Co.
Merridale Cider
Junction Orchard & Cidery
Mark Anthony Wine & Peller Estates
Strait & Narrow Cocktails
