Make a Day of it: Family-Friendly Things to See and Do at the 2026 Royal Show

For children fascinated by animals, horses, tractors, reptiles, crafts or simply finding out how things work, a day at the 2026 Royal Agricultural Show will offer plenty to discover.

From 7–11 October at the new Royal Showgrounds at Tweedie Hall, Howick, the Show brings agriculture to life in a way that can be enjoyed across generations. Younger children can meet the animals, play and get creative; older children can follow the action in the arenas, explore the outdoor and machinery displays, and try something a little more adventurous; and teenagers can even start discovering where a future in agriculture, technology or engineering might take them.

The idea is not to rush from one attraction to the next. Pick a few things you particularly want to see, then leave time to explore.

GET CLOSE TO THE ANIMALS

Animals remain at the heart of the Royal Show.

Across the five days, visitors will find cattle, sheep and goats taking part in competitions and exhibits, alongside one of the perennial family favourites: the Royal Rabbit Show.

Rabbits will be open for public viewing from Wednesday to Saturday between 09:00 and 16:00, with a break from 12:00 to 13:00, and on Sunday from 09:00 to 12:00. This year's international judge is Brian Platt from the United Kingdom.

The Animal Farm will offer younger visitors another chance to encounter agriculture at close quarters, with a selection of farmyard animals for children to see up close during their visit.

The Poultry Marquee offers something different this year. The Commercial Poultry Exhibit presented with the KwaZulu-Natal Poultry Institute, gives young visitors a window into commercial poultry production and the journey behind one of the foods most families encounter every day.

And in the Honey Marquee, there is another whole world to investigate — bees, honey, hive products, beekeeping equipment and the vital role pollinators play in agriculture.

SOME SPACE TO PLAY

Close to the stage and Food Court, the Kids Zone will give younger visitors somewhere to burn off some energy, with inflatables forming part of the children's area.

Nearby, Karkloof Canopy Tours will operate a children's zipline. The zipline will be free to use, with a maximum weight restriction of 45kg.

Together, the Kids Zone and zipline add an easy stop between the more structured parts of the Show — particularly useful for families planning to spend several hours exploring the grounds.

HORSES, WORKING DOGS AND REPTILES

The action picks up as the weekend approaches.

Barrel Racing South Africa will be at the Show from Friday to Sunday, with Texas Barrels, Barrel Racing and Pole Bending on the programme.

Over the weekend, working dogs take their turn in the Hollard Arena. AVI Products Tracking Dogs will demonstrate their skills on Saturday and Sunday, alongside Knight Security dog displays.

For the reptile enthusiasts in the family, Pure Venom Reptile Park will be at the Show from Friday to Sunday, with a dedicated exhibit as well as public displays in the Hollard Arena at 14:00 on Friday, 13:00 on Saturday and 11:00 on Sunday.

BIG MACHINES, 4×4S AND TRACTORS

There is plenty for children who would rather look at wheels, engines and machinery.

The 4×4 Passenger Experience brings participating vehicle brands together on a dedicated 4×4 track, while the Industrial & Chainsaw Demo Area will have equipment and technology in action from Wednesday to Friday, including drones, irrigation and water pumps, firefighting equipment, wood chipping and other agricultural and industrial machinery.

There are tractors too. Modern Tractor Parades take place at 12:00 on Wednesday and Thursday, with the Vintage Tractor Parade taking over at 12:00 on Friday and again on Sunday.

On Saturday, the machinery gets more competitive with Chainsaw Racing at 14:00, as Husqvarna and Stihl machines go head-to-head.

Visitors should also keep an eye on the sky. The Puma Energy Flying Lions are confirmed to bring two aircraft to the Show, with appearances currently planned for Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Exact times remain subject to weather and operational conditions.

MAKE SOMETHING IN THE CRAFTS MARQUEE

Not everything at the Royal is about speed and machinery.

The Crafts Marquee brings together artists, cake decorators, quilters, spinners and makers, with demonstrations giving children a chance to see how things are created by hand.

From Wednesday to Friday, scheduled demonstrations include drawing, painting, mosaics, clay work, appliqué and cake decorating.

There is also an interactive children's craft session at 15:00 each day: Children's Pastel on Wednesday, Children's Clay Animals & Birds on Thursday and Children's Craft on Friday.

Informal demonstrations continue at individual stalls over the weekend, with woodworkers in their own nearby marquee.

FOR FAMILIES WHO LOVE THE OUTDOORS

Families who enjoy camping, overlanding, braais and the outdoor life should leave time to explore the KhakiBush Bull Pen.

The Bull Pen is much more than the weekend BraaiBoss Challenge. It brings together off-road campers, overlanding equipment, custom vehicles, outdoor gear, leather goods and South African food and lifestyle products in a relaxed area designed around the culture of getting outdoors.

Visitors can browse ORCAA's off-road campers, equipment from SKITCH Overland Gear and Maverick Outdoor Gear, custom Land Rover Defenders from Bhejane Land Rover Customs, leather goods, and other outdoor products. Wild Child adds safari-inspired clothing for babies and children, while exhibitors offering local meat, honey and other products add to the distinctly South African feel of the space.

There is activity throughout the Show too. Braai tastings run from 11:00 each day, with wine tastings for adults, and intermittent live music. Thursday brings the distinctly bushveld-inspired Bokdrol Competition, Friday has a Chilli-Eating Competition at 16:00, and Saturday adds a Chilli Chicken Wing Competition at 16:00.

Then, on Saturday and Sunday, the fires are lit from 09:30 for the KhakiBush BraaiBoss Challenge, with contestants working through coffee, bread, breakfast, braai snacks, shisanyama or roast, chicken, steak and finally a braai broodjie or creative wrap before the 14:30 awards.

For families who enjoy the outdoors, it is the sort of area where you can browse, watch, taste and spend some time rather than simply passing through.

COULD AGRICULTURE BE THEIR FUTURE?

For older children and teenagers, the Royal Show can be more than a day out.

Modern agriculture draws on science, engineering, technology, data, animal health, environmental management, business and skilled practical work — and the Education Hub gives young visitors a chance to hear directly from people working and studying in these fields.

Thursday morning, 8 October, has a strong focus on agricultural education and training. Weston Agricultural College speaks at 10:00, followed at 10:30 by Mangosuthu University of Technology on practical agricultural skills, training and career pathways, and Cedara Agricultural College at 11:00 on how agricultural training is changing with the industry.

Saturday, 10 October, is particularly useful for teenagers considering what to study after school, with the day's Education Hub programme centred on Education, Skills & Careers.

Sessions include Cedara Agricultural College, Grootfontein Agricultural College on agricultural studies, practical training and small-stock farming, career paths in electrical and electronic fields, opportunities in greenhouses and undercover farming, and UKZN on agricultural engineering as a career.

For a young person who enjoys agriculture but does not yet know what working in the sector might actually look like, this is a chance to discover just how many different paths exist.

STOP FOR SOMETHING GOOD

Food is part of the pleasure of a day at the Show — and there is more to discover than a quick stop for lunch.

The Farmer's Weekly Royal Pavilion brings together cooking, local producers and some distinctly tempting treats. Alongside the Farmer's Feasts cooking demonstrations from Wednesday to Friday, visitors can browse artisan food and drink ranging from De Chen nougat and D'Lish Artisanal Delights to GOAT Lemonade and the Candy Factory, with gummies, lollipops, chocolates, nougat, toffees, caramels and other sweets likely to catch the attention of younger visitors.

Elsewhere around the Showgrounds, food stalls offer plenty of choices for lunch or a snack, while the N-Squared Bakery Tea Garden in the Crafts Marquee provides coffee, tea, pastries, doughnuts, cake and cream scones when everyone needs a quieter break before heading out again.

START WITH OPENING NIGHT

There is also an easy way for families to get a first taste of the new Royal Showgrounds.

On Wednesday, 7 October, entry will be free from 17:00 to 20:00 for the Royal Show's Opening Night.

Visitors can wander through the grounds at a more relaxed pace, browse participating stands, find something to eat or drink, listen to music from Jason Hartman, and enjoy the evening atmosphere. The KhakiBush Bull Pen will form part of that outdoor evening experience, with its exhibitors, braai atmosphere, and lighting adding another place to stop and spend some time.

At 19:00, a historic Second World War searchlight is planned to light the sky above the Showgrounds, marking both 175 years of the Royal Agricultural Society and the beginning of a new chapter for the Royal Show at Tweedie.

THERE'S MORE TO DISCOVER AROUND THE NEXT CORNER

One of the pleasures of an agricultural show is that not everything has to be scheduled.

A rabbit marquee can lead to a tractor parade. A stop at the Kids Zone might be followed by barrel racing. A child who came to ride the zipline may end up fascinated by bees, while a teenager who came for the machinery might leave thinking about agricultural engineering as a career.

And somewhere in between, there are farm animals, crafts, outdoor gear, sweet treats, working dogs, 4×4s, reptiles and plenty of other reasons to stop and look.

That is part of what makes the Royal a good family day out: different generations do not have to want exactly the same thing in order to enjoy the same day together.

Children under six enter free. Online tickets are R90 for adults and R70 for juniors aged 6–17, saving R10 per paying visitor against gate prices.

The 2026 Royal Agricultural Show takes place from Wednesday 7 to Sunday 11 October at the new Royal Showgrounds at Tweedie Hall, Howick.

Programme details and timings are subject to change. Visitors are encouraged to check the latest programme before planning their day.