New Zealand Blues & BBQ Festival returns this November

Tickets went on sale in late March for the highly anticipated 2025 New Zealand Blues & BBQ Festival, set to take over Rotorua’s lakeside Village Green 28–30 November. This year’s event is shaping up to be the best yet, with crowd favourites, new flavours, and loads of music, food and fun to enjoy.

Returning to the main stage by popular demand is the high-energy Australian trio 19-Twenty, whose electrifying set made them a clear crowd favourite in 2023. Their infectious blend of roots, rock and blues is guaranteed to get festival-goers dancing once again – not just for one set but two, closing out the night on Friday and performing again Saturday night.

Joining again this year is one of New Zealand’s most influential bands, Human Instinct, known for their explosive fusion of blues, rock, and psychedelic sounds. Led by founding member Maurice Greer, the band continues to captivate audiences with their powerful stage presence and legendary status in Kiwi music history.

This incredible outdoor event, produced by BOP Blues Club Inc and showcasing 15 bands, is all about celebrating the depth and soul of blues music while dishing up some of the tastiest BBQ in the country. With Rotorua’s Black Label Barbecue team back again, fans can look forward to smoky, savoury goodness from one of NZ’s top pitmaster teams. Winners of season one of TVNZ’s Cooks on Fire, Shaun and Alia will be serving up the low and slow magic that made them a TV and a festival hit.

The 2025 festival will introduce some exciting new features, including a dedicated BBQ Picnic Spot with food trucks packed with BBQ-inspired delights, and fun activities for the whole whānau.

Two internationally sanctioned BBQ competitions will be held over the weekend, with expert pitmasters battling it out for glory while festival-goers feast on mouth-watering dishes from a variety of vendors. Those looking to sharpen their own BBQ skills can also enjoy demos from some of the best in the business.

The New Zealand Blues & BBQ Festival is family-friendly and designed to appeal to music and food lovers of all ages. It’s a celebration of culture, community, and the soulful sound of blues, brought to life in the heart of Rotorua.

There’s no time to waste! Early bird tickets sold out fast, so now it’s time to scoop up weekend passes and VIP tickets – or weekend VIPs – available at Moshtix.

Follow the festival on Facebook and Instagram for all the festival updates. Or visit www.bluesandbbq.co.nz.

Don’t miss out on a weekend of soul-stirring music, sizzling BBQ, and epic good times!