The ultimate chicken wing showdown: Wing Fest, is returning this August, paying homage to one of the world’s favourite dishes. Taking Place this year at the Love Factory, on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th August 2023.
The festival will continue to champion independents from across the UK, who will display their culinary talents and compete against each other over a whopping 100,000 drums and flats. All of which want to be awarded the accolade of Best Buffalo Wing, Best Wild Wing, and the Best BBQ Wing, a brand-new category for 2023.
This year will offer a new format, inspired by the classic beer festival. Manchester Wing Fest will be divided into sessions with reduced capacity, starting with Saturday afternoon, followed by an evening session, and finishing with a bang on Sunday afternoon. This means less time waiting, more wings, and a more seamless festival experience. Expect profound poultry eating, music thumping, axe throwing, beer and bourbon drinking of epic proportion.
Guests can expect a seriously saucy line-up for 2023, there will be wings from returning champs, Eat The Bird, and local favourites Yard & Coop. For those wanting wings from further afield, Poor Boys will be showcasing flavours from the big smoke, alongside Birmingham wing slingers, Filthy Wings. All traders will be competing to win your vote and guarantee their spot in the Hall of Flame, chicken wing fans will have the opportunity to cast their votes across each of the two categories.
Wing Fest’s legendary competitions will be held on both days, and it’s set to get seriously heated with the deadly Lava Wing Challenge. Hosted by Clifton Chilli Club, it’s the UK’s hottest wing challenge, renowned for the carnage it causes and strictly for the brave. If you’re a true wing aficionado, then it’s time for the Sweet Baby Ray’s Wing Eating competition hosted by Food Review Club. Competitors who are hungry enough, compete against each other to see who can eat the most chicken wings in the fastest time – easily the messiest spectacle across the two days.
Not just a festival for Wing aficionados, expect plenty of beer from Tiny Rebel, some of the best bourbon around from Horse With No Name, and whiskey from Jameson Black Barrel.
Entertainment includes axe throwing, beer puppeteers, chicken pinatas, doughnut eating challenges, alongside live music – best enjoyed with a wing or two in hand.
Manchester Fest tickets are now on sale. Tickets include a Wing Fest signature trucker hat, axe throwing, all entertainment, competitions, and live music.
– Saturday Afternoon – £21 (free for under 12s)
– Saturday Evening – Over 18s only – £21
– Sunday Afternoon – £21 (free for under 12s)
