12 Nov 2018

Get your gumboots and sunblock at the ready Christchurch – it’s almost Show time.

Wednesday marks the opening of the New Zealand Agricultural Show 2018 at the Canterbury Agricultural Park – a three-day event that on its busiest day draws a crowd of up to 100,000 people.

A child cuddles a piglet.

The petting area allows children to get up close and personal with animals.

This year’s show features a packed schedule of top livestock and equestrian events, fun-filled family entertainment, carnival rides and sideshows, sheep shearing and gumboot throwing competitions, and much more.

There’s a sheep maternity ward where you can witness tiny baby lambs taking their first steps and a children’s petting area where youngsters can get up close and personal with lambs, calves, puppies, and ducklings.

The Rare Breeds Association will also have a display of curious creatures, while on Friday the main arena will play host to popular Shetland Grant National, where eight Shetland ponies and their jockeys race steeplechase style.

Friday is also the day the Ballantynes Grand Parade is held. The parade showcases the best of the best with prize winners across most livestock and equestrian sections parading their ribbons. The Canterbury Caledonian Pipe Band will lead the parade, which is held in the main arena.

Foodies will be well catered for at this year’s Show with an all new Food and Wine Village serving up lots of tasty morsels and cooking demonstrations by top New Zealand chefs.

There will be live entertainment every day in the ASB Village Green and the Tip Top Family Lawn

Here’s what you need to know if you are planning on going to the Show:

Opening hours

The show is open from 8am to 5.30pm on Wednesday 14 November, Thursday 15 November and Friday 16 November.

Tickets

Gate price tickets cost $28 for adults and $10 for children aged five to 12 years. Family passes (for two adults and three children) are available for $62. Children under five are admitted for free. On Wednesday and Thursday seniors can get into the show for $18.

Bring cash

There will be EFTPOS machines on site, however, cash will make your life easier. Withdrawals from the EFTPOS machines will incur a $3 transaction fee and queues are likely during busy times.

Food and drink

There will be a great selection of food and drink to buy at the Show but if you prefer, you are welcome to bring a picnic. No alcohol can be brought onto the site.

Getting there by public transport

On Thursday and Friday Red Bus is running a service from the Bus Interchange that will drop commuters directly to the Showgrounds.

On Thursday the service will depart from Platform A at the Bus Interchange every hour from 9.30am to 3.30pm. It will return from the Show every hour from 10am to 4pm.

On Friday the service will depart from Platform A at the Bus Interchange every 30 minutes from 9.30am to 4pm. It will return from the show every 30 minutes from 10am to 4.30pm.

Prices are $5 one way for adults and $3 one way for children.

Getting there by car

Public parking during the Show is free. There are three entrances to the public car park: McMahon Drive entrance, Augustine Drive entrance and Wigram Road entrance. There is no public parking available from Curletts Road.

Getting there by bike

There will be bike stands available for public use at the Lake Turnstile and River Turnstile entrances.