The Great Big BBQ Festival features a host of Filipino inihaw favourites
AUCKLAND – Fire up your appetite! The inaugural Great Big BBQ Festival & Market is set to light up Auckland on 29 November 2025 at the Auckland Showgrounds with a sizzling celebration where East meets West in a feast for all BBQ lovers.
A first-of-its-kind event in New Zealand, the Great Big BBQ Festival https://bbqfestival.co.nz/ will bring together the best of global barbecue culture — from smoky Kiwi favourites to exotic Asian and South American flavours – all served up alongside live music, family fun, and a vibrant open-air market.
“We’re bringing this unique festival to New Zealand to give food lovers the chance to enjoy the world’s best BBQ flavours in one place,” the organisers said. “It’s more than just great food — it’s about community, culture, and connection. Events like this bring people together and create lasting benefits for both attendees and local businesses.”
Visitors can expect an explosion of aromas, flavours, and entertainment with renowned beverage vendors, chefs, and pitmasters from around the world showcasing their signature barbecue styles.
The festival line-up features:
IHAW-IHAW (Filipino BBQ Fest): Chicken Inasal. Inihaw (Grilled Meat). Lechon (Whole Pork Roast). UBE Ice Cream. Iconic Desserts like the ‘Halo Halo”.
INTERNATIONAL: Brazilian BBQ !!! Paella (a crowd favourite).
MALAYSIAN HAWKER CENTRE (halal): Satay Ayam (Chicken Skewers). Ayam Percik (BBQ Chicken). Traditional Desserts. Teh Tarikh (Malaysian Tea or Coffee).
WARUNG INDONESIA (halal): Satay Padang. Madura & Lilit Bali (BBQ Skewers). Pempek (Fish Cake). Traditional Desserts & Indonesian Drinks like Happy Soda etc
SAWADEE KAI: Pork Skewers. BBQ’d Chicken Neck, Feet, Liver and Gizzard. Grilled Bananas. Desserts.
ASIAN: Korean BBQ.
MIDDLE EASTERN: Grilled Kebabs.
DRINKS: Vietnamese Coffee. Teh Tarikh (Malaysian Tea). Happy Soda (Indonesian). Thai Tea. Sugar Cane & Pineapple Juice.
The event promises something for everyone — from tender brisket, smoky ribs, and sizzling seafood to colour full market stalls and live performances that keep the energy high all day long.
Festival organisers plan for the Great Big BBQ Festival to become an annual event touring major cities across New Zealand. Following the Auckland debut, Hamilton will host the next festival in early March.
Event Highlights:
• A melting pot of BBQ flavours from East and West
• Live music and entertainment throughout the day
• Family-friendly atmosphere and market stalls
Don’t miss it — come hungry and leave happy!
Event Details:
What: Great Big BBQ Festival & Market
When: Saturday, 29 November 2025 Time: 10am to 6pm
Where: Auckland Showgrounds, Auckland
Admission: Free. Ticket not required.
Next Stop: Hamilton – Early March 2
