The Royal Adelaide Show 2025 is back at the Adelaide Showground from 30 August to 7 September 2025.
This iconic 9-day event is South Australia’s largest annual festival, drawing in up to half a million visitors each year.
Here’s your ultimate guide with everything you need to know, from tickets and schedules to attractions, food, and transport, to make the most of your time at the Show.
Ticket Prices & Admission
It’s a good idea to pre-purchase your tickets online (either through the official website or at Foodland supermarkets) to grab the best prices and skip the queues.
Children under the age of five are admitted free of charge. Here’s a quick look at typical 2024/2025 ticket prices (note that weekday tickets are cheaper than weekend ones, and prices may go up slightly in 2025):
- Adult (15+): Around $26–$32 (weekday vs. weekend). If you book online, adult tickets start from about $27.
- Child (5–14): Around $16.50–$20.50 (weekday vs. weekend).
- Concession: Around $21 (weekday) to $26 (weekend) for seniors, students, and others.
- Family Pass: Around $62–$75 for a family of 4 (2 adults + 2 kids, or 1 adult + 3 kids). Buying a family pass online can save you up to ~$20 compared to individual tickets.
A few things to keep in mind: All tickets are date-specific, so you’ll need to pick your entry day when booking.
RAA members can save about 20% by using their membership number as a promo code online.
If you’re only planning to visit in the evening, consider the Twilight Ticket (entry after 6 pm) for approximately $22.
You can also pre-purchase a Carnival Ride Pass to save on rides (you can buy this from Drakes!)—like $35 for 40 ride coupons or $80 for 100 coupons (each coupon is worth $1 and can be used on rides and some games).
Show tickets are mostly digital now, and while gate sales might be available if tickets aren’t sold out, booking in advance is cheaper and guarantees your entry.
Dates, Opening Hours & Schedule Highlights
The Royal Adelaide Show runs from Saturday 30 August to Sunday 7 September 2025, spanning two full weekends, and takes place at the Adelaide Showground in Wayville. Here’s what you can expect each day:
Opening Hours: The gates open at 9:00 am every day. Pavilions and attractions are open all day, and the Carnival (rides area) remains lively until 11:00 pm, except on the last Sunday, when it wraps up a little earlier at 10:30 pm.
Southern Lights Spectacular presented by Drakes: Head to the Main Arena for this Australian-first 30-minute show that blends drones, pyrotechnics, lasers and special effects into a breathtaking celebration of South Australian stories.
The narrative-driven display lights up the night at 7:45 pm from Sunday to Thursday, and at a slightly later 8:45 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Main Arena “NightShift” Shows: The Main Arena lights up every evening with the thrilling NightShift program.
Expect everything from freestyle motocross jumps to car soccer, the classic Holden vs. Ford V8 Ute challenge, comedy stunt shows like “Chicken Run,” horse trick-riding displays, and more.
Shows usually start around 6:45 pm and run in sessions until the fireworks. All of these are included in your entry ticket.
Competitions & Animal Shows: During the day, the Show is filled with traditional agricultural competitions.
Watch judging of livestock, including cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats, along with championship horse and showjumping events.
One of the crowd-favourites, the daily wood-chopping competition, showcases axemen racing to chop through logs.
You’ll also see displays for dogs, cats, poultry, and other animals throughout the week. You can find schedules for judging and shows in the Showground or online.
Live Entertainment: Around the Showground, there’s always something happening, from live music and dance to special performances.
The Boulevard Stage, situated north of the Main Arena, provides family-friendly entertainment daily from approximately 11:30 a.m. to 9:15 p.m.
Expect acts such as comedy jugglers, multicultural dance shows, and children’s concerts. On weekends, the Show takes on a festive vibe with marching bands, street performers, and even celebrity appearances.
For the full program, grab a free Show Day Program and map when you enter, which will list all event times and locations.
Family-Friendly Attractions & Kids’ Entertainment
One of the best things about the Royal Adelaide Show is the massive range of family-friendly attractions, most of which are included with your entry ticket. There’s something for everyone, no matter how old you are. Here are a few highlights:
Animal Encounters: Kids (and adults!) will love the chance to meet and learn about animals.
At the Learning Centre, little ones can hold fluffy baby chicks, pat farm animals, and even try hands-on activities like milking a cow or feeding lambs (feeding sessions are at 10:30 am and 3:30 pm).
In the Farmyard Nursery, you can cuddle up with miniature horses, alpacas, goats, a dairy cow and her calf, a donkey with a foal, and playful lambs.
Don’t miss Aggie’s Farm, an interactive setup where kids can pretend to be a farmer, collecting eggs, picking fruit, “fishing,” and even trying wool shearing.
They can trade their play produce for farm dollars and earn a sticker reward. All of these activities are free once you’re inside, and hand-washing stations are conveniently located nearby for your safety.
Carnival Rides & Sideshow Alley: No Show is complete without the carnival rides! Sideshow Alley has a mix of thrilling rides and classic fairground fun for all ages.
Young kids and families can enjoy the Ferris wheel, carousel, bumper cars, and giant slides, while thrill-seekers can dive into the rollercoasters, spinning pendulums, and new extreme rides that pop up each year.
There are also plenty of carnival games to try your luck at – win a giant teddy or just soak in the lively atmosphere with spruikers and prizes.
(Tip: If you’re planning on hitting up multiple rides, grab a discounted ride coupon pack mentioned earlier.)
Live Shows for Kids: There are loads of live shows designed just for children throughout the day.
The Boulevard Stage offers continuous family entertainment, with acts like kids’ circus performances, magic shows, and music that gets the little ones up and dancing.
On weekdays, the Goyder Pavilion’s Stage becomes a kids’ paradise, with live shows featuring popular characters.
In 2024, this included the Bluey Live Interactive Experience, Dirtgirlworld’s Grubby Bucket Show, and Kangaroo Beach stage shows, and you can expect similar shows in 2025.
If you have preschoolers, a weekday visit might be the best time to catch these shows. Keep an eye on the program for exact show times (usually around midday and in the afternoon).
Don’t forget to look out for meet-and-greets, like the superhero photo ops at the Gotham Collectables stall – Batman or Spider-Man, anyone?
Interactive & Educational Exhibits: The Show offers lots of interactive fun. The Stirling Angas Hall and Jubilee Pavilion feature displays like the Show Museum, where you can explore South Australia’s agricultural history and check out vintage photos and artefacts from past Shows.
There’s also Golden Grains, a hands-on science and agriculture exhibit with interactive displays and educators to explain the concepts – perfect for curious minds.
Many of the technology, crafts, and science exhibits in the pavilions also offer kid-friendly activities and demos.
Plus, at Goyder Plaza, you’ll find a nature play space called the “Climbing Tree” – an outdoor playground where kids can build cubbies, climb logs, and burn off energy in a safe, natural environment.
It’s a great free play area for when they need a break from the structured activities.
And that’s just the beginning. From seeing prize-winning cake decorating and art in the Creative Arts pavilion to watching sheep dogs show off their skills, riding a camel, or observing beekeeping demos – the Royal Adelaide Show is packed with so many attractions, your family will be busy for days.
There’s truly something new to experience every hour.
Food, Showbags & Local Produce
You won’t go hungry at the Royal Adelaide Show – the real challenge is deciding what to eat first!
Food is a huge part of the Show experience, with a wide range of options from classic carnival snacks to local South Australian gourmet delights.
Classic Carnival Treats: All the show food favourites are here. You’ll catch the scent of hot cinnamon doughnuts and buttery popcorn drifting through Sideshow Alley.
Grab a Dagwood dog (the iconic corn-battered hot dog on a stick) slathered in tomato sauce, or a hot chip bucket to snack on.
Other favourites include fairy floss (cotton candy), toffee apples, fudge, and giant pretzels.
If you’re after something a bit more filling, you’ll find burgers, yiros (kebabs), wood-oven pizza, baked potatoes, noodles, and more.
There’s truly something for every taste. Plus, there are plenty of food courts and outdoor areas to sit back and enjoy your meal.
(Pro tip: The Atrium Food Court inside the Showground has loads of seating and a variety of food stalls.)
Local Produce & Dining Highlights: Be sure to swing by the Taste SA Pavilion, where you can sample a range of local delicacies for free – think cheeses, smallgoods, olives, honey, handcrafted chocolates, baked goods, jams, sauces, and more.
It’s a great way to discover new South Australian products, and you can even buy some to take home.
Another must-see is the Dairy Food Hall, a longtime favourite for cheese lovers. Taste award-winning cheeses, yoghurts, and ice creams, or grab a grilled cheese toastie for just a few dollars – last year, the legendary $3.50 cheese toastie was the perfect budget lunch!
Throughout the Show, there are also cooking demonstrations, wine tasting stations for adults, and competitive produce displays – check out the giant pumpkins, rows of perfect veggies, and prize-winning cakes and breads in the exhibition halls.
It’s a feast for both the eyes and the stomach.
Showbags: The Showbag Pavilion is a must-visit for kids (and plenty of adults too). In 2024, there were over 400 different showbags available – the most ever – with most priced between $12 and $30.
You’ll find bags themed around popular kids’ characters, chocolates, sports teams, beauty products, toys, and more.
Some of the best bargains include the classic Bertie Beetle bag ($5, filled with chocolate beetles) – and about 20 different bags were priced at $6 or under.
Grab a showbag guide ahead of time (usually published online or in the paper) so the kids can pick out their favourites.
The Showbag Pavilion can get busy, so try to visit early or later in the day for a calmer experience.
Pro tip: Pick up your showbags just before you leave to avoid carrying them around all day.
Food Competitions & Demos: As an agricultural show, food competitions are a big part of the action – from baking and cake decorating to homemade jams, beers, and wines. Wander through the competition pavilions to see champion cakes, breads, and preserves proudly displayed with ribbons.
You might even catch a live judging or a cooking demo on stage (times vary).
In 2025, with new sponsor Drakes, there’s an expanded Cookery Competition focusing on junior cooks – the “Kids Bake with D’Rake” challenge encourages young chefs to get creative with fresh, local ingredients.
With around 30 different categories in the cookery contests – from scones and fruit cakes to muffins, pastries, and jams – there’s a huge variety of entries. It’s inspiring to see the skills on display, and it might even inspire you to enter next year!
Finally, make sure to enjoy your food in the vibrant atmosphere of the Show – maybe sit by the Main Arena with a golden fried doughnut while watching the woodchopping, or take your cheese toastie to a picnic table as a band plays nearby.
The mix of delicious food and entertainment is what makes the Show such a special experience.
Transport & Accessibility
Getting to the Show is made easy with several transport options, though it’s a good idea to plan ahead, especially with the large crowds.
Public Transport: Adelaide Metro increases services during the Show, and it’s definitely the easiest way to avoid parking headaches.
The Adelaide Showground railway station is just a stone’s throw from the venue, with regular trains from the Seaford/Belair lines during Show week.
Numerous bus routes also stop at or near the Showground, including special shuttles and regular routes along Goodwood Road and Anzac Highway.
Plus, the Glenelg tram (Light Rail) stops at Goodwood Road, just a short walk from the Showground.
Kids under 5 ride free, and concession fares apply for students and seniors. Be sure to check the Adelaide Metro website for dedicated Royal Show timetables, as extra trains and buses run, especially on weekends.
(Tip: Your Royal Show ticket doesn’t include free public transport like some other events, so you’ll need to pay regular fares or use your MetroCard unless you have a free transit entitlement.)
Parking & Drop-off: If you prefer to drive, make sure to leave plenty of time to find parking.
On-site parking at the Showground is limited and can cost around $28 per day, with spots filling up quickly on busy days.
A better option is to park at nearby designated areas – the City of Adelaide usually opens parts of the Parklands (Park 21W and Park 22) for Show parking, and the Netball SA Stadium (Mile End) also offers parking with a free shuttle bus to the Showground entrance.
These off-site car parks typically cost between $15 and $20 per day ($17 last year).
Keep an eye out for signage and attendants to guide you to these spots.
If you’re being dropped off, there are dedicated passenger drop-off/pick-up zones along Rose Terrace and Leader Street, just a short walk to the Showground. This can save you from having to trek from the further car parks.
Accessibility: The Royal Adelaide Show is designed to be accessible for everyone. All public areas and pavilions are wheelchair and pram-friendly, with ramps or lifts throughout.
There are reserved wheelchair viewing platforms in both the public and members’ areas at the Main Arena, and additional accessible viewing areas are available at the Goyder and Boulevard Stages.
Accessible toilets are located across the grounds (check the map or the Show’s Accessibility page for locations).
The “Sacare Carers Lounge” is also available this year, offering a private, quiet space and a fully accessible bathroom with an adult-size change table and hoist facility for people with disabilities and their carers.
The Show also honours the Companion Card, so carers can enter for free when assisting a paying cardholder (arrange this through the ticketing process or at the gate with your card).
If needed, you can rent strollers and manual wheelchairs from the Help Desk or entry gates for around $5 per hour (with a refundable deposit).
Parents of young children can access parenting rooms and Lost Child centres, where they can get a free wristband to write their phone number on their child’s wrist for safety.
Overall, the Show makes every effort to be accessible and comfortable for everyone.
The Wrap-Up
This guide should help you plan an amazing day at the Royal Adelaide Show 2025.
Whether you’re cuddling farm animals, watching the nightly fireworks, tasting local treats, or enjoying the thrill of the rides, there’s something for everyone.
Mark your calendar for late August, grab your tickets, and get ready for all the fun – see you at the Show! 🎡🎟️
