Mondo BBQ โ€“ A World Tour in a Bite
Edition 2026 Music Folk Country

Mondo BBQ โ€“ A World Tour in a Bite

International barbecue, country festival, and grilling challenges at Appia Joy Park in Rome

Roma — Roma (258) Since 2025
Dates 23 May โ€” 24 May 2026
Location Roma (258)
Prices Free
Status Finished

About Mondo BBQ

Mondo BBQ brings two days of international barbecue and country culture to Rome's Appia Joy Park. Located in the Quarto Miglio district, just a stone's throw from the Appia Antica, the festival offers grilled specialties from the United States, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, China, and Peru. Enjoy showcooking, the 'Gladiator of Chicken Wings' competition, arm-wrestling challenges, western shows, line dancing, and live music. A free, family-friendly event filled with smoke, spices, and Far West vibes in the heart of the Lazio region.

Mondo BBQ: Global Barbecue at Appia Joy Park

Mondo BBQ โ€“ A World Tour in a Bite is the gastronomic event that transforms Appia Joy Park in Rome into a massive grilling village. Set in the Quarto Miglio district, just steps from the Appia Antica Park, the event blends international barbecue flavors with the energy of country culture. It is a spring weekend designed for lovers of slow-cooked food and families looking for a day outdoors.

A Culinary Journey from the US to Peru

The heart of the festival is the grilled food curated by Grillpacco, taking guests on a true world tour of smoky flavors. The menu features PorkStrami Sandwiches, pulled pork buns, Kentucky Bourbon Pork Ribs, Chinese Char Siu Ribs, Argentine choripรกn, nachos, grilled pineapple, and grilled pancakes, along with various vegetarian options. Recipes are inspired by traditions from the United States, Italy, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, China, and Peru: every dish is a bite into a different country.

Country Fest, Western Shows, and Live Music

Beyond the grills, Appia Joy Park transforms into the Far West. The program includes western-themed entertainment and theater by Maskart Immersive Events, featuring lasso tricks, group dances, and interactive moments, plus line dance lessons for all ages. The stage hosts live concerts, including TCR โ€“ Tribute Country Rock & Folk featuring the voice of Jessica Casula, winner of Sanremo New Talent 2017.

Grilling Competitions, Showcooking, and Arm Wrestling

Mondo BBQ is also about competition and spectacle. Highlights include the 'Gladiator of Chicken Wings' challenge, showcooking sessions with master grillers, and even an official arm-wrestling tournament complete with registration, weigh-ins, and weight classes. Between sneak-peek tastings and reservation-only menus, the public experiences barbecue not just as a meal, but as a collective, convivial event.

A Free Event in the Heart of Lazio

Organized in the Municipality of Rome, within the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital in Lazio, Mondo BBQ offers free admission. The vast green space of Appia Joy Park, Italy's first inclusive adventure park, provides relaxation areas, family services, and a laid-back atmosphere, perfect for spending a full day enjoying great food, music, and fun just a short distance from the Appia Antica.

Mondo BBQ โ€” edition 2026

The second edition of Mondo BBQ took place on May 23-24, 2026, at Appia Joy Park in Rome, featuring two days of international barbecue, a country festival, grilling competitions, arm-wrestling challenges, and western shows. Free entry in the Quarto Miglio district.

The 2nd edition of Mondo BBQ animated Appia Joy Park in Rome on Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, 2026, confirming the formula that combines international grilling with Far West atmospheres. Two days packed with showcooking, tastings, competitions, and live music, with free admission.

The food, curated by Grillpacco, offered specialties from the United States, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, China, and Peru, while the stage hosted country concerts and line dancing for the whole family.

Programme Mondo BBQ 2026

Saturday, May 23, 2026 (11:00 AM - 11:30 PM)

  • 1:00 PM โ€“ 'Gladiator of Chicken Wings': BBQ challenge dedicated to chicken wings
  • 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM โ€“ Western theater and entertainment by Maskart Immersive Events (lasso games, group dances)
  • 7:00 PM โ€“ Live concert by TCR โ€“ Tribute Country Rock & Folk with Jessica Casula
  • 8:00 PM โ€“ 'Convivium BBQ': BBQ dinner by reservation (32 seats)

Sunday, May 24, 2026 (12:00 PM - 9:00 PM)

  • From 12:00 PM โ€“ Country line dance with the Go West school
  • 12:30 PM โ€“ Tasting of Pulled Pork Sausage, the first pulled pork sausage in Italy
  • 5:30 PM โ€“ Showcooking with Marco Sangiovanni of Grillpacco (grilled pineapple)

Arm Wrestling (both days)

  • Registration and weigh-in: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Competition start: 4:30 PM
  • Categories: 75 โ€“ 85 โ€“ 95 โ€“ 95+ kg

Highlights Mondo BBQ 2026

  • International barbecue with dishes from 8 countries
  • 'Gladiator of Chicken Wings' competition and arm-wrestling challenges
  • Western shows, line dancing, and live country concerts
  • Showcooking and sneak-peek tastings (Pulled Pork Sausage)
  • Free admission, family-friendly event

Prices Mondo BBQ 2026

Free admission. The Saturday night 'Convivium BBQ' dinner is by reservation only with limited seating (32 spots).

Practical information — Mondo BBQ

Location

Appia Joy Park, Via Annia Regilla 245, 00178 Rome (RM), Quarto Miglio district.

How to get there

By car from the Grande Raccordo Anulare, take the Appia exit; parking available in the area. By train/metro: Metro line A to Arco di Travertino or Colli Albani, then bus connection toward the Appio-Quarto Miglio area.

Admission

Free entry. Some experiences (such as the reservation-only barbecue dinner) have limited seating.

Contacts

Info and reservations: +39 351 8962922 โ€“ [email protected]

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Where does it take place โ€” Mondo BBQ

Appia Joy Park

Via Annia Regilla 245, 00178 Roma

Contact Mondo BBQ

Tel
+39 351 8962922

Mondo BBQ in brief

Music Folk Country Gastronomy Local produce Food truck World cuisine Family Outdoor Free International Roma

History of Mondo BBQ