Australian Show Day Calendar: Agricultural Shows Around Australia

Australia's Agricultural Shows are a much-loved part of the Australian calendar, bringing together farming, food, animals, entertainment, competitions, rides, showbags and community celebrations.

From the Royal Canberra Show in February through to the Royal Hobart Show in October, Australia's major city shows take place across much of the year. This makes Show Day a wonderful opportunity to explore a city, enjoy its local attractions and discover some of the traditions that make each Agricultural Show unique.

The exact dates change each year, so the calendar below provides a general guide to the usual time of year for the major city shows. Always check the individual show organiser for confirmed dates before planning your visit.

Australian Agricultural Show Calendar

February – Canberra

Royal Canberra Show

Typical time: February

Season: Late summer

The Australian Show calendar traditionally gets underway in Canberra with the Royal Canberra Show, held at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC).

Usually held in February, the show is a great way to enjoy the final weeks of Canberra's summer. Visitors can expect agricultural competitions, livestock, horses, entertainment, rides, showbags, food and family activities.

Canberra's February weather is generally warm and sunny, making it a good time to combine a visit to the show with the city's museums, galleries, parks and attractions.

March–April – Sydney

Sydney Royal Easter Show

Typical time: Around Easter, usually March or April

Season: Autumn

The Sydney Royal Easter Show is Australia's largest and best-known Agricultural Show, bringing the country and the city together at Sydney Olympic Park.

Because it follows the Easter calendar, the dates change each year. The show traditionally falls during the pleasant early-autumn period, making it an ideal time to explore Sydney as well as attend the show.

Alongside livestock and agricultural competitions, visitors can enjoy carnival rides, showbags, food, entertainment, exhibitions and the famous Grand Parade.

July – Darwin

Royal Darwin Show

Typical time: July

Season: Dry season

The Royal Darwin Show is quite different from the southern shows because July falls in Darwin's dry season.

This is one of the best times of year to visit Darwin, with warm, relatively dry weather making it an attractive period for visitors. The show celebrates Northern Territory agriculture, horticulture, animals, local produce, arts, crafts and community achievements.

The evening atmosphere, entertainment and fireworks add another dimension to the Darwin Show experience.

August – Brisbane

Royal Queensland Show – Ekka

Typical time: August

Season: Winter

August is one of the biggest months in Australia's Show Day calendar, beginning with Brisbane's famous Royal Queensland Show, better known as Ekka.

Ekka has been held in Brisbane since 1876 and combines Queensland agriculture with rides, showbags, food, entertainment, livestock, competitions and fireworks.

Brisbane's August weather is typically mild and relatively dry, making winter one of the city's most enjoyable times of year.

The Brisbane Show holiday, traditionally known as People's Day, is held during Ekka and is a major part of the city's annual calendar. Importantly, Queensland does not have one statewide Show Day—regional communities have their own show holidays.

August – Gold Coast

Gold Coast Show

Typical time: Late August

Season: Winter

The Gold Coast Show generally follows Brisbane's Ekka, taking place towards the end of August.

Held at Broadwater Parklands in Southport, the show combines traditional Agricultural Show attractions with the distinctive lifestyle of the Gold Coast.

Visitors can enjoy equestrian events, wood chopping, arts and crafts, baby animals, rides, showbags, entertainment and fireworks.

Late August is also an excellent time to visit the Gold Coast, with mild winter temperatures and plenty of opportunities to combine the show with beaches, restaurants, attractions and accommodation.

September – Adelaide

Royal Adelaide Show

Typical time: Early to mid-September

Season: Early spring

The Royal Adelaide Show marks the beginning of the major spring Show Day season.

Held at the Adelaide Showground in Wayville, the event celebrates South Australian agriculture, horticulture, food, animals, competitions and community traditions, alongside rides, showbags and entertainment.

September is a particularly attractive time to visit Adelaide, as spring brings milder weather and the city's parks, gardens, restaurants and surrounding wine regions begin to come alive.

September – Perth

Perth Royal Show

Typical time: Late September

Season: Spring

The Perth Royal Show is traditionally held towards the end of September at Claremont Showground.

The event celebrates Western Australia's agricultural industries while providing the classic Show Day combination of animals, competitions, entertainment, rides, food and showbags.

September is an excellent time to experience Perth, with spring weather providing opportunities to enjoy the city's beaches, parks, restaurants and surrounding attractions before the hotter summer months arrive.

September–October – Melbourne

Melbourne Royal Show

Typical time: Late September to early October

Season: Spring

The Melbourne Royal Show traditionally takes place during the Victorian spring school holiday period.

Held at Melbourne Showgrounds, the show combines agriculture, livestock and competitions with major entertainment, rides, food, showbags and family activities.

The timing makes it a great opportunity to combine Show Day with a Melbourne city break. Spring is one of the city's most popular seasons, with gardens, sporting events, restaurants and attractions providing plenty of options beyond the showgrounds.

October – Hobart

Royal Hobart Show

Typical time: October

Season: Spring

The Royal Hobart Show traditionally brings the major Australian Show Day calendar towards a close in October.

Held in southern Tasmania, the event celebrates Tasmanian agriculture, livestock, horticulture, produce, crafts and rural traditions.

October is springtime in Hobart, making the Show Day holiday a great opportunity to explore Tasmania's capital, waterfront, historic attractions, restaurants and surrounding countryside.

The Australian Show Day Year at a Glance

Month	City	Major Show	Season
February	Canberra	Royal Canberra Show	Summer
March–April	Sydney	Sydney Royal Easter Show	Autumn
July	Darwin	Royal Darwin Show	Dry Season
August	Brisbane	Ekka / Royal Queensland Show	Winter
August	Gold Coast	Gold Coast Show	Winter
September	Adelaide	Royal Adelaide Show	Spring
September	Perth	Perth Royal Show	Spring
September–October	Melbourne	Melbourne Royal Show	Spring
October	Hobart	Royal Hobart Show	Spring

Planning a Show Day City Break

One of the great things about Australia's Agricultural Shows is that they provide an opportunity to experience much more than the show itself.

A Show Day visit can become a city break, family weekend or short holiday.

Before heading to the showgrounds, explore the city and discover local restaurants, cafés, attractions and things to do. If you're travelling from outside the area, consider staying overnight and turning Show Day into a longer getaway.

That's the idea behind ShowDay.com.au.

Our city guides are designed to help you discover the Agricultural Show while also finding places to eat, places to stay and things to do nearby.

Discover Show Days Around Australia

From the summer atmosphere of Canberra to the autumn excitement of Sydney, the dry-season celebrations of Darwin and the winter shows of Queensland, followed by the spring shows across Australia's southern capitals, there is almost always a Show Day somewhere in Australia.

Whether you're looking for a family day out, a weekend away or simply want to rediscover an Australian tradition, the Agricultural Show calendar provides plenty of reasons to get out and explore.

Find your city. Discover your show. Make a day of it.