Music |
Festivals |
Family Friendly |
Food & Drink
Meat Up Festival
Meat Up Festival
The North's only field-to-flame festival lands in the Cheshire countryside this August, and it's unlike anything else on the calendar.
Meat Up Festival is a full weekend celebration of live fire cooking, British farming, craft butchery and brilliant music, set against the backdrop of Ashley Showground. Watch renowned chefs cook over open flame, meet the farmers and butchers who know exactly where your food comes from, and taste your way through a curated line-up of some of the finest fire-cooked food around.
Across three dedicated stages, the action never stops. The Live Fire Stage brings together a roster of celebrated cooks including Genevieve Taylor, Marcus Bawdon and Levi Roots. The Butcher's Block pulls back the curtain on the craft of the cut, with hands-on demos and expert insight. And the Farm and Field stage connects the whole story, from how animals are raised with care to how that journey ends beautifully on the plate.
As the sun goes down, the festival shifts into full swing. Craig Charles, Levi Roots' Carnival Party, HarleyMoon Kemp, Tom Hingley and Mark Radcliffe and Company headline a weekend of music that keeps the energy burning long into the evening.
There's plenty beyond the food and music too. Try your hand at axe throwing, catch the gundogs in action, cheer on the hovercraft racing, or let the little ones loose in the dedicated Campfire Kids zone, fenced, fun-packed and never far from the coffee. Camping is available across the full weekend, with a communal BBQ area and campfire to gather around when the day winds down.
This is food festival done properly, with passion, provenance and a very real fire.
Tickets and full programme: meatupfestival.com
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.