1,000 Aussies, 1,200 snags and a flight home: the 2026 Big Aussie BBQ
Well. That was something.
On Saturday 15 August, over a thousand Australians took over Rockefeller Park for the fifth Big Aussie BBQ — and the biggest one we have ever run. It sold out in a little over a week. The waitlist kept growing right up until the morning of. And on the day, the park was full from midday to five.
We have spent the week reading what you sent us. 185 of you filled in the feedback form or texted us back, and you gave the day 4.81 out of 5. Nearly nine in ten of you gave it five stars.
Here is how it went.
It felt like being back home
This is the thing that came up again and again, unprompted, from people who had no idea anyone else was saying it.
“I felt I was back in OZ… just the best atmosphere, best location, and it was great to meet new Aussies and network!”
— Jack G.
“Loved seeing Aussie brands and even the consulate present — truly felt like being at home for an afternoon.”
— Blake
“Keep up this community feel of the BBQ! Felt like being home again.”
— Mudi
That is the whole point of this thing. You can put on a party anywhere. Making a thousand people feel like they are back in a park in Australia for an afternoon — that only works if everyone shows up and brings it. You did.
The music was brilliant
Three hours of Australian live music, back to back, and not a quiet moment in it. Jenn Reed from the Australian Theatre Festival NYC opened at 12.30. The DownUnders turned it up for an hour of Antipodean rock. And Ben Butler & Sam Hawksley — two mates who met on the Sydney scene in the nineties — closed it out with, in their words, a healthy amount of guitar solos.
“Kudos to the musicians — fantastic to hear Aussie music and made me so proud and homesick all at once.”
— Susan
Every note of it was proudly presented by Cammisa Markel, our official immigration legal team, who have backed the entertainment from the start.
The sausages were fantastic
We went through 1,200 snags. Every single one of them gone. Bunnings-style, on proper white bread from COBS Bread (find them in Stamford CT, aka Baker's Delight!), with onions and sauce free and self-serve, exactly as it should be. (It was even real sauce flown in from Australia, by Odin Mortgage & Tax!)
Around them: pies and sausage rolls from Bourke Street Bakery, a taste of home from Boomerang Bites, lollies from Darrell Lea, and hampers of Tim Tams, Milo and Vegemite from Treats from Oz, who have now backed this barbecue for all five years.
And two firsts. Van Leeuwen brought ice cream — the first time we have ever had it — scooped on the lawn by the Aussie-founded New York legends themselves. Bluestone Lane poured proper flat whites all afternoon for a real taste of home.
The drinks were flowing
Cold Coopers Pale straight from Adelaide. Gin and tonics from Four Pillars. Australian wine from Living Roots, and grown-up non-alcoholic drinks from NON to tie the bar together!
What's on for 2027? More room, more seating, and we'll see what we can do about the requests to sit on the grass with a drink in your hand.
Someone is flying home
Our presenting partner Qantas put up two return Economy flights to Australia — and at 4pm we announced the winner.
Congratulations to Mark W., who is going home on the Flying Kangaroo.
The competitions
The Weet-Bix Eating Competition was as undignified as ever, and the Thong Toss Championship produced some genuinely alarming technique. Trophies for both were designed and made by Altrum, for the third year running.
Out on the grass, the NYC Magpies kept the footy going all afternoon with clinics and games.
Thank you
Entry was free. It is free every year, and it stays free because a lot of people decide to make it free.
To Qantas, our presenting partner. To the Australian Consulate-General New York, Airtasker, Cigna, Wise, Cammisa Markel, Darrell Lea, Coopers, COBS Bread (Stamford CT, aka Baker's Delight), Four Pillars, Bourke Street Bakery, Boomerang Bites, Treats from Oz, Van Leeuwen, Bluestone Lane, Living Roots, NON, Altrum, New New Patch, Apt Wealth, Village Law Firm, LendKoi and Fortnight Digital.
To AWNY, the NYC Magpies, the NYC Kookaburras and MINC.
To every volunteer who wore a lanyard, turned a snag, poured a drink or scanned a QR code in the sun.
And to all of you who showed up. A thousand Australians in a park in Manhattan, on a Saturday, for no reason other than that it is good to be around your own for an afternoon.
“We absolutely loved it! The vibes were perfect, everyone was so happy and friendly. Very well done!”
— Emily
See you in 2027
We are already planning it. Bigger bar, more food, more shade — and we will keep the bits you loved exactly as they were.
It sold out in a week this year. Register your interest for 2027 and we will email you the moment tickets open, before anyone else.
Photos from the day are up in the gallery — 239 of them.