NC Hot Sauce Contest & Festival

06/24/2026

Volunteers are the backbone of the NC Hot Sauce Festival in downtown Oxford! Help make this milestone 20th year a sizzling success. Earn community service hours, snag a festival staff t-shirt, and get entered into a raffle for a prize basket!

Sign up today! 🌶️

Please click the link to complete this form.

06/23/2026

🚨 Only ONE week left to apply! 🚨
The 20th Annual NC Hot Sauce Festival is creeping up fast, and we don't want you to miss out on the biggest, boldest year yet. Secure your vendor spot before time runs out! 🌶️🔥

Apply through the Official NC Hot Sauce Festival website: https://nchotsaucecontestandfestival.com/

06/19/2026

The 20th Annual NC Hot Sauce Contest & Festival would not be possible without the incredible businesses and organizations that support this event and our community.

From our Inferno Title Sponsor, Bailey Farms, to every sponsor listed, your partnership helps us bring one of North Carolina's hottest and most anticipated festivals to Downtown Oxford each year.

Your support helps create an unforgettable experience for thousands of visitors, supports local businesses, and showcases everything that makes Oxford a great place to live, work, and visit.

🌶️ Thank you for investing in our community.
🌶️ Thank you for supporting this tradition.
🌶️ Thank you for helping us celebrate 20 years of heat!

Please join us in showing some love to these outstanding sponsors by supporting the businesses that support our community.

📅 September 11–12, 2026
📍 Downtown Oxford, NC

06/18/2026

It takes an army to bring a festival to life, and we couldn't do it without ours! ❤️🌶️

From our dedicated City staff and hardworking volunteers to our incredible vendors, sponsors, entertainers, and community partners—thank you for the countless hours, planning, preparation, and passion that go into making the NC Hot Sauce Contest & Festival a success year after year.

Most importantly, thank YOU to everyone who attends, participates, competes, shops, dances, laughs, and creates memories with us. You are the reason we do this.

Every banner hung, every booth set up, every road closed, every event planned, and every detail coordinated is all for one purpose: creating an unforgettable experience for our community and visitors.

It truly takes a village—and we're grateful for every person who helps turn this festival into one of North Carolina's hottest traditions! 🔥

06/17/2026

The ultimate weekend of flavor and talent is approaching! 🎸 The City of Oxford is excited to announce the official music lineup for the 20th Annual North Carolina Hot Sauce Contest & Festival. Grab your friends and get ready to rock! 🔥

Friday, September 11:
🎤 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm: Elijah Harris
🎤 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm: Bounce - Party Band

Saturday, September 12:
🎤 10:30 am - 12:30 pm: The Band Next Door
🎤 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm: Miss Mini and the Sandman Band
🎤 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Bryan's Hill Band

06/16/2026

🌶️❤️ We can't tell you enough how much we LOVE our vendors at the NC Hot Sauce Contest & Festival!

From small-batch sauce makers and specialty food creators to artisans, businesses, and unique exhibitors, our vendors are the heart and soul of this event. Every year, they bring incredible products, amazing energy, and unforgettable experiences for our visitors.

Thank you for helping make the NC Hot Sauce Contest & Festival an amazing event!!

Be sure to show our vendors some love when you visit September 11-12, 2026, in downtown Oxford. Shop local, discover new favorites, and support the businesses that make this festival so special!

👇 Tell us in the comments:
What's the coolest thing you've ever found from a festival vendor?

06/15/2026

🔥 It's going to be HOT... and we're not just talking about the sauce! 🔥

The heat, the crowds, the flavor, the fun—it's all coming back to downtown Oxford on September 11-12, 2026. 🌶️and we have one question...

👀 Carpe— are you coming back this year?

06/14/2026

The Hurricanes are bringing the HEAT this Stanley Cup Final! 🔥🏒

We’re channeling that fiery spirit all the way here in Oxford, NC. As the Canes head off to cause a storm in Las Vegas, we’re getting ready to experience a flavor storm at the North Carolina Hot Sauce Contest & Festival! From mild breezes to Category 5 Scoville levels, we’ll have enough spice to make even the toughest fans break a sweat. Don't miss out!

Join us as we celebrate one of Carolina's hottest teams and one of Carolina's hottest events. 🌶️🏆

Make it happen.

06/12/2026

A HUGE thank you to all of our Sponsors!!

06/11/2026

Registration is now open for the 2026 NC Hot Sauce Contest & Festival Friday Night Cruz-In! Join us on Friday, September 11, 2026, and showcase your classic car, truck, muscle car, hot rod, or custom ride as part of one of North Carolina's hottest festivals.

📅 Friday, September 11, 2026
📍 Downtown Oxford
📝 Register your vehicle here: https://form.jotform.com/261315272198054

Help us kick off the 20th Annual NC Hot Sauce Contest & Festival with an evening full of classic cars, community, and fun. See you there! 🌶️🚘

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