All Aboard The Bacon Boat

May 3, 2025

iowa state fairgrounds – agricultural building

17th Annual bacon festival

tickets festival

The Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival is for those wise folks who know that bacon is more than just a breakfast food—it’s a lifestyle. Baconfest is an event created by devout bacon-lovers for bacon-lovers. Every year passionate people from all corners of the wide world flock to Baconfest in Des Moines, IA (the famous hog state) fixin’ to feast on tasty bacon delicacies, to get weird, and to have a grand ol’ time.

For the love of bacon

Our community

We take our community seriously. As serious as all get out. That’s why the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival has helped raise over $1,000,000 for local nonprofits through volunteering, giveaways, and donations. All this in the name of joy, community, and of course: OHHHH, BACON!

Upcoming events

The Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival and the Iowa Bike Coalition work together every year to bring the community bacon-themed fun rides. There’s no greater feeling than cycling down Iowa’s most scenic trails while feasting on bacon with friends and kindred bacon-loving spirits.

17th Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival

Scurry on over to Des Moines, IA for the World’s Premier Baconfest! Folks will eat, drink, and be merry with fellow bacon-lovers and enthusiasts while enjoying live entertainment and competitions.

7th Pigtails Ride

The Pigtails bike ride is a women-specific group trek along the stunning Prairie Trail and High Trestle Trail. Cyclists enjoy food and drink at numerous Pigtails party stops along the way.

12th Bacoon Ride

This 71-mile ride through the scenic Racoon River Valley Trail takes cyclists on the ultimate bacon adventure. The Bacoon Ride features awesome bacon snack stops and drink specials along the way.

14th Keystone Bacon & Bourbon Festival

The Keystone Bacon & Bourbon Festival is for folks who’d love nothing more than to spend a weekend in Keystone’s River Run Village surrounded by all things bacon, bourbon, and delicious.

June 21-22, 2025

They said what?!

National Geographic’s Traveler Magazine named Des Moines’ Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival the Top Food Festival in Iowa.

"Embrace the high-octane, energetic, gleefully excessive nature of bacon culture."

the daily iowan

"If you weren't at the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival, I think you personally missed out."

anderson cooper 360

"There's still a whole lot right in the world!"

queen latifah show

"The event offers something to make every swine lover to swoon."

wall street journal

"These days bacon is hardly just for breakfast."

steve harvey

Stay crispy!

Subscribe to our email list to receive breaking bacon news and updates on all upcoming events.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.