Fired Up Barbecue Festival

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.

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.

We are not talking a sausage sizzle and some beersies. Fired Up showcases BBQ styles from around the world, up north in the Bay of Islands!

The event again combines forces with the annual Tai Tokerau Low & Slow Barbecue 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!

It ain't a good barbie without the sounds and we will have a red hot line up of artists announcing soon.

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 additions to the fest!

Grab a ticket for the BBQ lover in your life today.

Early Bird tickets are only $25 + Booking Fee and are strictly limited. General Admission: $35 + Booking Fee Kids Under 15 are free with a paying adult.

Tai Tokerau Low & Slow Barbecue Competition: Please note, there is Free Entry to this Zone if you just want to check out the Pitmasters. There are no food and alcohol sales in this area.

Registration for Competition: NZBA competition details and entry will be released soon along with the coveted Judges Tickets