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seasonal · Thursday 13 August 2026 · Various 
Big Grill BBQ & Food Festival 2026
At Herbert Park · Herbert Park, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
At Herbert Park · Herbert Park, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
Europe’s largest live-fire cooking festival lands in Dublin for four days over the August bank holiday weekend. The Big Grill brings together Irish and international chefs, pitmasters and restaurants to cook exclusively for the festival - dishes you will not find anywhere else, all made over fire. It draws a genuine food crowd: people who want to eat well, learn something, and spend an afternoon in the open air rather than sitting in a restaurant. Families are well catered for, and the relaxed park setting means you can wander between food stalls at your own pace.
The line-up for 2026 includes names that travel well beyond Dublin. La Barbecue from Austin, Texas (Michelin-starred), From the Ashes BBQ from London, and a strong local contingent sit alongside more unexpected choices - Northern Thai charcoal grilling from Achara, Filipino BBQ skewers from Bahay, and Hang Dai’s Chinese-American BBQ. Small-plate dishes start from around €8, so sampling widely is the whole point.
The Bastecamp demo stage runs throughout each day, with pitmaster talks and hands-on sessions covering grilling, smoking, marinating, and butchering - with tastings included. Craft breweries, cocktail bars, and DJs round out the afternoon and evening sessions. Saturday and Sunday mornings run a Little Grillers kids area (12 to 4pm) with face painting, soft play, arts and crafts, and puppet shows.
A few practical things: this is a cashless event, so bring a card or use mobile payment. If you need cash on site, prepaid Smokin Cards are sold at the box office in €20 and €50 denominations. Only small bags (A4 size) are allowed in. Friday and Saturday sessions typically sell out in advance, so booking early saves disappointment.
Herbert Park sits on the south side of the Liffey in Dublin 4, about 3km from the city centre. The nearest DART stations are Lansdowne Road and Sandymount, both a short walk away. Bus routes 46a, 145, 7, and 39a all stop nearby. The Ranelagh Luas stop on the Green Line is also within walking distance. Parking in the surrounding residential streets is limited and the organisers recommend arriving by public transport. The venue is fully on one level with no steps, designated accessible pathways, and accessible toilets throughout.
Ballsbridge is one of Dublin’s quieter, more residential neighbourhoods - embassy territory, wide tree-lined streets, and the Aviva Stadium a short walk away. Herbert Park itself is a lovely place to linger before or after the festival, with a duck pond and lawns that are rarely crowded outside of events. There is more to see in Ballsbridge and across Co. Dublin.
Heading to Herbert Park in Ballsbridge? Dublin has plenty more to see. Read the Ballsbridge area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.
In town for Herbert Park? These Dublin tours book out in summer.