- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- CookingFoodFriendship
- Where:
- United Kingdom
- Date change rule:
- Week starting with the last Monday of May
- Holiday emoji:
- 🍖
National BBQ Week invites everyone to celebrate the joy of outdoor cooking and dining, running from the last Monday of May for seven sizzling days. Gather your loved ones, marinate your favorite meats and veggies, and embrace the smoky aromas of a perfect barbecue. Get ready to grill, socialize, and make delicious memories!
Want to sponsor National BBQ Week? Learn how
Expected National BBQ Week Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National BBQ Week brings a host of exciting deals across the UK. Major supermarkets like Tesco and Sainsbury’s often offer discounts on barbecue meats, marinades, and disposable grills. Specialty retailers such as Weber and Big Green Egg may feature promotions on new grills and accessories. Expect condiment brands like Hellmann’s and sauce makers like Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce to run special offers. Local butchers and independent food shops also frequently join in the celebrations with bespoke BBQ packs. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as May 2027 approaches.
Platform Guide for National BBQ Week
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalBBQWeek. Share vibrant photos of your BBQ spreads, grilling techniques, and outdoor dining moments.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalBBQWeek. Create short videos showcasing quick BBQ recipes, grilling hacks, or fun outdoor party ideas.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalBBQWeek. Share your favorite BBQ memories, host a virtual cook-along, or ask for top grilling tips.
National BBQ Week Hero
Adam Richman
History of National BBQ Week
The word ‘barbecue’ is said to have come from the Caribbean word ‘Barabicu,’ a structure made of sticks used for cooking by the indigenous people of the Caribbean who were called Taino. Food was prepared over an indirect flame and placed to the side or above the fire. It resulted in a charred and smokey flavor. The Spanish explorers who encountered this native cooking style around the 16th century adapted it and called it ‘Barbacoa.’ Traveling north to the U.S., the Spanish brought the technique along with them. Eventually, the cooking method made its way to different colonies and later to different parts of the globe.
It became so popular that in 1755, the word ‘barbecue’ was entered into The Dictionary of the English Language by Samuel Johnson. It was a convenient way to quickly and cheaply feed large groups of people at social events such as political parties and weddings. By the 19th century, it was a staple cooking method in the U.S., especially in Southern states with pork being the meat of choice.
In the U.K., barbecuing is a fast cooking process done directly over high heat. Popular foods to throw on the BBQ include beef burgers, steaks, pork sausages, lamb, chicken, and salmon. Vegetables and plant-based alternatives have also found their way onto the British backyard BBQ. Whether it be on gas or charcoal-powered cooking source, it’s the quality of the meat and produce that makes for a delectable BBQ.
Even more than a method of cooking, BBQ is also a social event. It brings people together for a celebration of food and friendship. That’s something everyone can warm up to.
National BBQ Week timeline
Archeologist Oliver Craig finds barbecue-style roasting at Durrington Walls.
U.S. President George Washington writes in his journal about attending a three-day barbecue.
Henry Ford turns wood scraps from cars into charcoal lighters to use in barbecuing outdoors.
It is recorded that 45,252 people are at the barbecue event organized by Estado de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National BBQ Week
Local businesses across the UK can ignite customer engagement during National BBQ Week. Restaurants and pubs can create special BBQ menus, host outdoor grilling events, or offer ‘BBQ kits’ for customers to take home. Butcher shops can promote curated meat selections and marinades, while garden centers can offer discounts on outdoor furniture and grilling accessories. Consider partnering with local food suppliers to highlight regional produce perfect for the grill.
National BBQ Week FAQs
When is National BBQ Week?
In 2027, National BBQ Week will kick off on Monday, May 31, and conclude on Sunday, June 6, offering another fantastic opportunity for Brits to fire up their grills.
How popular is barbecuing in the UK?
The UK’s passion for outdoor grilling continues to grow, with surveys consistently showing a high percentage of the population participating in barbecues. It remains a key social activity, especially during warmer months and bank holidays.
What are the most popular foods for a British BBQ?
While classic burgers and bangers remain staples, the British BBQ scene in 2027 is embracing more diverse options. Expect to see more seafood, plant-based alternatives, and international marinades alongside the beloved traditional fare.
What is the history of National BBQ Week in the UK?
Since its inception in the mid-1990s, National BBQ Week has become a cherished institution in the UK. It serves as a promotional platform for the barbecue industry while also inspiring countless families and friends to enjoy al fresco dining.
National BBQ Week Activities
Throw a BBQ get-together
Whether it’s on your balcony or at the beach, a BBQ is always fun. Bring the grill out, and ask friends to bring drinks for an instant party.
Eat BBQ flavored snacks
No space or time to BBQ? Load up on BBQ snacks instead, like chips or popcorn.
Pour BBQ sauce on everything
Use BBQ sauce as a dip for vegetables as a sauce with your meal or as a marinade for your meat. You’ll get that smokey taste without all the work.
5 Fruits You Can Fire Up On The BBQ
The Succulent Pineapple
Slice the pineapple then brush these pieces with some honey or brown sugar.
The Juicy Peach
Whether you keep the skin on or off, try drizzling yogurt on your peaches for a yummy dessert.
The Versatile Banana
Leave the peel on your banana, cut one lengthwise, pour lemon juice and cinnamon sugar, and grill.
The Thirst Quenching Watermelon
Grease your watermelon with some olive oil, sprinkle sugar crystals and garnish it with fresh mint leaves.
The Nutrient Rich Mango
Brush each mango cheek with oil and finish with a squeeze of lime juice when done.
Why We Love National BBQ Week
A meal and a social event
When it comes to BBQs, rarely will you find people just sitting around with a lone chef doing all the work. There’s always a flurry of activity and chatter close to the grill.
It brings out the creative in us
Channeling your inner caveman as you cook food over an open fire is as primal as it gets. There’s something so natural about cooking food over an open fire.
It gets you outside
Fresh air is fresh air, whether you’re at the park or just in your backyard. Any excuse to gather people and share a meal outdoors is always welcome.
National BBQ Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | May 25–31 | Monday–Sunday |
| 2027 | May 31–June 6 | Monday–Sunday |
| 2028 | May 29–June 4 | Monday–Sunday |
| 2029 | May 28–June 3 | Monday–Sunday |
| 2030 | May 27–June 2 | Monday–Sunday |
Social Media Tips for National BBQ Week
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