FAQ

Saturday, April 12, 2025

This year the Syndicate Smokedown & Music Festival is located in the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards.  The specific location is at the end of E. Exchange Ave in the parking lot east of Stockyards Station at 140 E. Exchange Ave.

Gates open at 11:30am for BBQ Time, VIP and Platinum ticket holders.  Gates open at 4:00pm for Music Time ticket holders.

Absolutely!  There will be limited seating throughout the venue so feel free to bring your favorite tailgate chair (favorite basic tailgate chair).  We will designate certain areas for chairs during the US Energy Main Stage acts.

Yes, but you will need to keep your wristband on for re-entry during the day. Wristbands need to be worn and in sight at all times while in the venue.

BBQ Time, VIP and Platinum ticket holders will have access to the venue starting at 11:30am.  BBQ Time is the part of the event where BBQ sampling will begin at noon and end at 4pm from 22 of the best BBQ joints around! Our BBQ lineup will be announced on 2/24 and the lineup is subject to change.

Unless your dog is a service dog, you will need to leave your dog at home!  ADA does not recognize emotional support animals as service dogs.

Yes, we will have alcohol available at the event, as well as water and soda.

No, but there are ATM’s located in the Stockyards.

Items you cannot bring to Smokedown include umbrellas, outside coolers, firearms, professional filming equipment, illegal substances, wagons, bicycles, scooters, fireworks, tents or shade structures, lasers or laser pointers, drones, pocket knives, outside food or beverage.

Send an email to [email protected]

Yes, please limit it to single-pocket drawstring bags, clutch or small purses.  All bags are subject to search.  Please leave your large bags at home.

Yes, the band schedule will be posted on our website, on our event mobile app, and on social media before the event.

There are many hotels located in the Stockyards.  For a full listing of Fort Worth hotels, vist the Visit Fort Worth website – https://www.fortworth.com/hotels/

We will have the support of MedStar and FWPD during the event. The first aid station will be located towards the entrance of the festival.

Yes, artists will have merchandise and Smokedown swag available at the Smokedown.

Yes, by attending the Syndicate Smokedown & Music Festival you agree that we can use any photos or videos taken of you by our photographer to be used for promotional purposes.  Smile!

Yes, the lost and found will be located at the Event Office located by the porta-potties in the venue.

Click here for the Fort Worth 10-day weather forecast.

Smokedown is a cashless event, all major credit cards will be accepted.

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There will be the following opportunities for food.  From noon until 4pm BBQ Time, VIP and Platinum ticket holders will have access to BBQ Time featuring some of the best BBQ joints around. They will be serving up samples of delicious BBQ. When the event opens at 4pm for all ticket holders there will be BBQ and other food items available for purchase.

Contact Andy Eldridge at [email protected] for inquiries.

Music Time tickets are $45

BBQ Time tickets are $100

VIP tickets are $195

Platinum tickets are $425

Get Tickets: Right Here

The Platinum ticket will give attendees access to the venue at 11:30am and take part in the BBQ Time portion of the event which features some of the best BBQ joints around serving BBQ samples from noon until 4pm.  During the event, Platinum ticket holders will have access to the VIP patio and the Silver Boot Saloon & Party Deck featuring a hosted (open) bar during the entire event and food 4pm through the remainder of the event. Also provide is a comfort station with flushable toilets and complimentary phone charging stations. 

The VIP ticket will give attendees access to the venue at 11:30am and take part in the BBQ Time portion of the event which features some of the best BBQ joints around serving BBQ samples from noon until 4pm. These ticket holders will also have access to the covered VIP patio featuring the VIP bar, flushable toilets and complimentary phone charging stations. Designated ticket lane at the entrance and two drink tickets.

The VIP ticket will give attendees access to the venue at 11:30am and take part in the BBQ Time portion of the event which features some of the best BBQ joints around serving BBQ samples until 4pm.  Then the entertainment moves to the US Energy Main Stage at 4pm.

The Music Time ticket will give you access to the event at 4pm to take in the acts performing on the US Energy Main Stage.  There will be food and beverage available for purchase at the venue.

No, your VIP wristband will come with one drink ticket to be redeemed at the festival.

After buying your ticket(s), you will receive an email with your digital ticket with a unique QR code just for you. You can save the email on your phone, print a physical copy, or even save the ticket to your phone.

Bring your ticket digitally or printed out on the day of the event and you will be scanned in and given a wrist band.

All sales are final. This event is rain or shine and no refunds will be issued.

Of course! We welcome all people from all over the United States that enjoy a day of BBQ and live music while supporting a great cause!  Tickets are for all ages and children 10 and under get in for free.

If the event is not sold out there will be tickets available at the gate the day of the event.  Ticket pricing will be increased the day of the event.

Children 10 years old and under receive free admission.

Children over the age of 10 must buy a ticket for the event.

We aren’t able to refund tickets. However, we are a nonprofit organization, so think of it as a very kind donation.

Texas weather can be pretty crazy, but we are a rain or shine event.

You bet!  This is the best way to travel to the festival.  Parking can be tricky in the Stockyards.  We also encourage it if you will be consuming alcoholic beverages.

When ordering your rideshare, plugin Stockyards Station (140 E. Exchange Ave.) as the destination. There will be a designated drop off and pick up location at the event.

There are various places to park in the Fort Worth Stockyards. We recommend the lots located on the north side of E. Exchange Ave.  Smokedown is not responsible for any damage or theft to vehicles or vehicle contents.

There will be a fee for parking in the Fort Worth Stockyards parking lots.