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Meat Up Festival
Meat Up Festival
The North’s only field‑to‑flame festival fires up the Cheshire countryside this August - and there’s nothing else quite like it.
Meat Up Festival is a full weekend celebrating live‑fire cooking, British farming, craft butchery and brilliant music, all set against the stunning backdrop of Ashley Showground near Altrincham. Expect world‑class chefs cooking over open flame, the farmers and butchers who know exactly where your food comes from, and a hand‑picked line‑up of some of the finest fire‑cooked food in the country.
Across three dedicated stages, the action never lets up.
The Live Fire Stage hosts big‑name cooks including Genevieve Taylor, Adam Purnell and MasterChef’s Dan Merriman.
The Butcher’s Block lifts the lid on the craft of the cut with hands‑on demos and expert insight.
The Farm & Field Stage connects the whole story - from how animals are raised with care to how that journey ends beautifully on the plate.
And if that’s not enough, the Thatchers Cider Party brings the buzz to the Farmers Market.
As the sun sets, the festival shifts gear. Craig Charles, Levi Roots’ Carnival Party, Harleymoon Kemp, Tom Hingley and Mark Radcliffe & Company headline a weekend soundtrack that keeps the energy burning long into the night.
And it’s not just about food and music. Enjoy our free all‑inclusive fun fair, soar 50m above the showground on our hot air balloon rides or sit back and relax at our outdoor cinema.
Families are fully included too, with a dedicated Kids’ Zone featuring an interactive petting zoo, obstacle course, story-telling an arts & crafts in the teepee and lots more countryside‑inspired fun to keep the youngsters entertained all day.
Why not make a weekend of it with on‑site camping, complete with a communal BBQ area and campfire for when the flames settle and the stories start.
This is a food festival done properly - with passion, provenance and a very real fire at its heart.
Places to visit nearby
Places to stay nearby
Frequently asked questions
- When and where is it?
Meat Up Festival takes place on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August 2026 at Ashley Showground, Altrincham, WA14 3QA. The arena opens at 10:30am and the fun runs until 11pm each day.
- Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. All attendees need a valid ticket, exchanged for a wristband on arrival. Day and weekend tickets are available for adults, teens and children. Under 12s go free but still need a ticket. Parking and camping are booked separately. Get in early as tickets may be limited.
- Is it a good day out for families?
Very much so. There's a dedicated children's field, family film showings, rides and plenty of free entertainment woven throughout the site. It's built for a proper mixed-age weekend out.
- Can I make a weekend of it?
Absolutely. Camping is available from Friday 31 July through to Monday morning, with tent pitches and live-in vehicle options. There are showers, toilets, a communal BBQ area and a campfire to gather around once the day's done.
- What about food and drink?
There's a brilliant line-up of fire-cooked food traders across the site. You can bring your own food (handy if you're camping), but alcohol cannot be brought into the main arena. Glass is not permitted anywhere on site. The festival is cashless, so bring a card.
- Are dogs welcome?
Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome across most of the site. They're not permitted in the farming area, children's zone or music arena. Assistance dogs are always welcome.
- Is the site accessible?
The festival team work hard to make the event as inclusive as possible, with accessible parking, camping, toilets and showers all available. Bear in mind that Ashley Showground is an open field site, so some areas have uneven ground. Free carer tickets are also available. Contact the festival directly via the accessibility form at meatupfestival.com/tickets.
- What's the weather plan?
This is August in Cheshire, so dress in layers and pack for both. The event goes ahead in most conditions, with adjustments only in genuinely extreme weather.