Meatstock 2026 – An Explosive Return To Hamilton

Fire up your taste buds and get ready to rock and roll at Meatstock Hamilton 2026!  Following last year’s record-breaking weekend, this festival of barbecue, bands and bedlam is set to sizzle at Mystery Creek on 13-14 February 2026.

“We are proud to be celebrating 10 years of Meatstock, which is driven by a community of like-minded people, all with a burning passion for the craft of barbecue and the culture that comes with it,” enthused Jay Beaumont, Meatstock Festival Director. “New Zealand is our first festival of the season and sets the tone for all the rest. Music plays such a big part of Meatstock, and last year went off the hook. It was an awesome weekend and we can’t wait to back it up, bigger and better again.”

Headlining the Jack Daniels Live Stage will be the incredible Full Metal Orchestra, described as a breathtaking collision of symphonic orchestra meets hard rock and heavy metal, exploding the stage with the ultimate clash of genres and classics reimagined.

Meatsock will also feature rock legends, Jet, who just celebrated the 21st anniversary of their heralded debut album, Get Born, along with New Zealand’s multitalented Drax Project, renowned rock band, I Am Giant and Tadpole with incredible female vocalist, Lauren Marshall, along with much more!

In the Heat Beads BBQ Wars, top pitmasters from New Zealand and around the globe will compete for bragging rights across every protein category. Meanwhile, the Butcher Wars will once again showcase razor-sharp skill and lightning-fast carving.

The action doesn’t stop there. Festival favourites return in 2026, including the infamous Beard & Mo Wars, the Medieval Wars featuring axe throwing, archery tag and the thunder of live Buhurt battles, arm-wrestling showdowns and the high-stakes Sausage Sizzle Throwdown.

Need a breather? Stroll the Rod & Custom Rumble to see New Zealand’s most jaw-dropping custom cars, trucks, big rigs and bikes and browse the BBQ Expo for cutting-edge gear and exclusive rubs.

Whether you’re setting up a tent, rolling in with a caravan or checking into a nearby B&B, camping and accommodation are easy at Meatstock. Bring the whole crew and make a weekend of it.

Meatstock Hamilton 2025
13-14 February 2026 @ Mystery Creek Event Centre