Fired Up And Ready To Roll – Meatball Lovers Counting Down To Friday Fest

The taste testing is complete, the clock is ticking and the anticipation is tangiball. This Friday, March 6th, the Hastings CBD will once again transform into a full-blown ball fest, as 50 different types of meatballs are cooked, dished up and devoured.

After a huge debut in 2025, the Hastings Meatball Festival is back for year two, with even more balls, more brews (for those aged 18 and above, naturally) and more barbs traded between cooks keen to take home the coveted One NZ People’s Choice Award.

Hastings District Council, who designs and hosts the event, says tickets are selling fast – and it’s not just locals keen to fill their bellies with balls.

“We’ve sold tickets to people who are travelling in from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch to be part of the action,” says Vicky Roebuck, festival organiser and self-appointed Chief Meatball Officer. “It’s really cementing the festival’s growing reputation as a must-do foodie event on the national calendar.”

Vicky and her team are putting finishing touches on some of this year’s newer elements as the countdown continues – more pop-up bars, more seating space, more meatballs and faster turnaround times.

In a bid to reduce landfill, the festival is also stepping up its sustainability efforts with reusable cups and plates in place across the event footprint. “That’s an exciting development – and a necessary one to keep our beautiful Hastings CBD as low-waste as possible,” Vicky says.

As always, it’s a fully whānau-friendly evening, with children under 12 attending free and plenty to keep little hands busy while parents sample everything from traditional crumbed beef to inventive seafood, vegetarian, vegan and sweet options. “There’s even a meatball martini being served at Cedric’s, the little bar in Opera Lane!”

Albert Square will transform into the TW Group Social Square – a relaxed hub complete with seating, dessert balls, games for the kids and photo opportunities at a specially-created original Dick Frizzell artwork, or the newly unveiled Ball of Fame. Live music on the Tremain Stage will keep the energy high and there’s the chance to vote for the best meatball and win a Samsung Galaxy A56, courtesy of One NZ. “I’ve been in close contact with our chefs, bakers and cafes this week and there are some amazing recipes ready to roll out this Friday,” Vicky continues. “Ben Bayly’s cooking with tender, local Matangi lamb, I had a preview of Craggy Range’s snapper, paua and crayfish ball and it’s amazing, and I popped in to see John at John’s Bakery who has been doing special meatball cooks all week just to meet the anticipated demand. The vibes are high in Hastings and it’s great to see!”

There will also be a full range of Hastings Meatball Festival merchandise available to purchase from the Hasting isite – from caps and t-shirts to tote bags and even undies.

The forecast is tracking to deliver a balmy 26 degree evening for the festival, which runs from 5pm until 8:30pm.

Vicky urges those who have not yet secured tickets to jump online ASAP as gate sales will be extremely limited. “We had a sold-out event last year and we don’t want anyone to feel miseraball if they miss out.” Last minute tickets can be bought for just $10 plus booking fee per adult, children 12 and under free. Go to www.hastingsmeatballfestival.co.nz

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