Discover Fired Up Barbecue Festival 2026 - Bay of Islands BBQ Celebration

Fired Up Barbecue Festival is back! Lovers of the flame-grilled, low and slow, earth cooked, charcoaled, smoked and wood-fired...gird your loins. Northland's smokin' hot festival of food returns to The Old Packhouse, Kerikeri, on Saturday 28 March 2026. This isn't just a sausage sizzle - Fired Up showcases BBQ styles from around the world, up north in the beautiful Bay of Islands!

Tasty food from renowned pitmasters washed down with our finest wine and beer matches, an EXPO Zone to stock up on the essentials and a massive programme of music, entertainment, backyard games on steroids and eating challenges. The event combines forces with the annual Tai Tokerau Low & Slow BBQ Competition, hosted by local pitmaster Ken Van Mackelbergh (Barbecue BOI), which is part of the NZ Barbeque Alliance roster of official competition events. Head to the Competition Zone to pick up tips from the best!

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Event Information:

  • Date: Saturday 28 March 2026
  • Time: 1:00pm - 9:00pm
  • Location: The Old Packhouse Market, 505 Kerikeri Road, Kerikeri
  • Distance from Kerigold Chalets: Just 3 minutes drive (2.5 km) or 15 min walk
  • Eventfinda: View on Eventfinda

Stock up on all your BBQ essentials in the Festival EXPO Zone, participate in the games and comps or chill out in the multiple covered bar areas. We will have a LOT more BBQ food vendors and covered space with a brand new layout, including a second stage for demos and prize-giving. This will be one EPIC BBQ and we can't wait to share all the exciting new details with you soon! For visitors staying at Kerigold Chalets in Kerikeri, we're perfectly positioned just 5 minutes from The Old Packhouse, making it incredibly convenient to attend this exciting BBQ celebration.

What to Expect at Fired Up Barbecue Festival:

  • Competition Zone: Watch the Tai Tokerau Low & Slow BBQ Competition featuring skilled pitmasters competing in official NZ Barbeque Alliance sanctioned event - pick up tips from the best!
  • World-Class BBQ Food: Tasty food from renowned pitmasters showcasing BBQ styles from around the world - flame-grilled, low and slow, earth cooked, charcoaled, smoked and wood-fired
  • Wine & Beer Matches: Finest wine and beer pairings to complement the BBQ flavors available in multiple covered bar areas
  • Live Entertainment: Massive programme of music with red hot lineup of artists (to be announced soon) creating an epic festival atmosphere
  • Festival EXPO Zone: Stock up on all your BBQ essentials including equipment, accessories, rubs, sauces, and everything you need
  • Second Stage: Brand new layout featuring a second stage dedicated to live BBQ demonstrations and prize-giving ceremonies
  • Backyard Games on Steroids: Participate in games, competitions, and eating challenges for entertainment throughout the day
  • Multiple Covered Areas: LOT more covered space with multiple bar areas to chill out and enjoy the festival atmosphere
  • More Food Vendors: Expanded vendor lineup with even more BBQ food options and styles to taste and enjoy
  • Family-Friendly: All ages welcome with activities and food options for everyone to enjoy this smokin' hot festival

The Fired Up Barbecue Festival runs from 1:00pm until 9:00pm, giving you plenty of time to explore all the BBQ offerings, watch the competition unfold, enjoy live music, and soak up the festival atmosphere. The event celebrates all styles of BBQ - from traditional low and slow smoking to flame-grilled favorites, earth oven cooking, and wood-fired techniques. Whether you're a serious BBQ enthusiast looking to learn from competition pitmasters, a foodie wanting to taste incredible BBQ, or a family seeking a fun day out, Fired Up Barbecue Festival offers something for everyone in the beautiful Bay of Islands setting.