Burp Fest is bringing its legendary burping contest to Hickory Hops in Hickory! Think you've got what it takes? Step up and prove it.
Bring the thunder! Our decibel meter doesn't lie. Let out your most earth-shaking belch and see if you can claim the crown.
It's not about power — it's about endurance. How long can you keep it going? The clock is ticking.
Take home the Burp Fest trophy and eternal bragging rights.
Your legendary performance featured across all Burp Fest socials.
Exclusive festival merchandise only winners receive.
How to enter: Show up at the Burp Fest booth at Hickory Hops and sign up on the spot. Or get notified in advance so you're ready to go!
Hickory Hops is an annual craft beer and music festival held on Union Square in downtown Hickory, North Carolina. The 22nd annual edition takes place on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 1 PM to 6 PM. The festival features over 50 craft breweries participating in a sampling event, with all tasting tickets including a festival tasting glass.
Organized by the Hickory Downtown Development Association (HDDA) and hosted by Olde Hickory Station, the festival is a strictly 21+ event — no one under 21 is allowed to enter, including non-drinkers and designated drivers. No coolers, children, or pets are permitted.
Hickory Hops was founded in 2005 as a collaboration between the Hickory Downtown Development Association and Olde Hickory Brewery, one of the Catawba Valley's most respected craft breweries. The goal was to create an event that would bring people to downtown Hickory's Union Square while celebrating North Carolina's burgeoning craft beer scene. Over two decades later, the festival has become one of the state's most enduring beer events.
Union Square in downtown Hickory provides a charming setting — a historic town square surrounded by shops and restaurants that fills with brewery tents, music stages, and hundreds of enthusiastic beer lovers each April. The festival's growth from a local gathering to a 50+ brewery event mirrors the explosion of craft brewing in North Carolina, which has become one of the top craft beer states in the Southeast.
Olde Hickory Brewery — which operates the Olde Hickory Tap Room, Olde Hickory Station, and Olde Hickory Brewery — serves as the festival's anchor and host. Tickets are available in advance online or at Olde Hickory's physical locations and Amos Howards Restaurant & Brew Pub, keeping the event rooted in the local business community.
Founded
2005
Organizer
Hickory Downtown Development Association (HDDA) / Olde Hickory Brewery
Breweries
50+
Tier
Major Regional
April 11, 2026
Status: confirmed
2025: April 12, 2025
1 day
Union Square, Downtown Hickory
2 2nd St NW, Hickory, NC 28601
📍
Hickory, North Carolina
50+ breweries
Find our booth at Hickory Hops and compete in the Loudest Burp and Longest Burp championships!
Hickory Hops 2026 takes place April 11, 2026 at Union Square, Downtown Hickory, 2 2nd St NW, Hickory, NC 28601.
Hickory Hops is held at Union Square, Downtown Hickory, 2 2nd St NW, Hickory, NC 28601.
General admission tickets to Hickory Hops are $40 advance. Check the official website for VIP and other ticket options.
Yes! Burp Fest will be at Hickory Hops with our legendary burping contest. Compete in the Loudest Burp Championship and the Longest Burp Championship for trophies, social media fame, and exclusive merch.
Burp Fest is the world's premier competitive burping organization. We bring our burping contests to beer festivals across America, giving attendees the chance to compete for glory, trophies, and social media fame.
Just show up at the Burp Fest booth at Hickory Hops! You can also sign up on our website to get notified about contest times and details.
We're always looking for new beer festivals to bring the burping contest to. Get in touch!
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