Meat Up Festival
Meat Up Festival
1st and 2nd August Cheshire to Host the North’s First Field-to-Flame Festival This Summer
Cheshire is set to host the North’s first-ever field-to-flame festival this summer, as Meat Up Festival launches at Ashley Showground, Altrincham, on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd August 2026.
Blending live-fire cooking, British farming, live music and festival culture, Meat Up promises an immersive weekend experience celebrating food, countryside skills and community connection.
Festival organiser and local BBQ enthusiast Steve Crowe said: “Meat Up is more than a food event – it’s a cultural outdoor experience, bringing people together around fire, field and music. For the first time in the North, visitors can expect two days of high-energy atmosphere, flame-cooked food, countryside skills and unforgettable shared moments rooted in real fire and real connection.”
At the heart of the festival, the Fire Stage will feature some of the UK’s leading live-fire chefs and pitmasters, including Levi Roots, Genevieve Taylor and Adam Purnell, showcasing techniques built on authenticity, craft and skill. Alongside this, the Butchery Stage will host expert demonstrations exploring meat preparation and traditional butchery.
Live music will run throughout the weekend, with a standout line-up including Craig Charles, Ben Ottewell (Gomez), Mark Radcliffe, Tom Hingley (Inspiral Carpets), Bluetones Accoustic, and rising artist Harleymoon Kemp, delivering a vibrant soundtrack set against the Cheshire countryside. We will also have a local talent and DJ stage showcasing the very best of home grown talent.
Designed as a family-friendly event, Meat Up Festival will feature a dedicated Kids’ Zone offering hands-on countryside activities, including a petting zoo, dog trials, total wipeout, mini-Land Rovers and an outdoor cinema.
Visitors can also explore a bustling Farmers’ Market celebrating local produce and field-to-fork transparency, while the Thatchers Cider Party brings a lively social atmosphere with DJs, cider and late-summer festival energy.
Conveniently located, Ashley Showground offers excellent transport links across the North West – just minutes from the M56, 10 minutes from Altrincham train station and under 30 minutes from Manchester city centre – making it easily accessible for day visitors and weekend festivalgoers alike.
For those looking to fully immerse themselves in the experience, camping is available from Friday 31st July, with options for tents and live-in vehicles.
Meat Up Festival is proud to support The Farming Community Network and The Burnt Chef Project, helping raise awareness of mental health challenges within the farming and hospitality sectors.
Tickets are now on sale at meatupfestival.com, with discounted rates available for young farmers, students aged 21 and under, and Blue Light workers. Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult.
