Do The Royal Adelaide Show for 150 Bucks

The Royal Adelaide Show is back from 5–13 September 2026, and we’re already counting down!

There’s something pretty special about a day at the Show… the lights, the rides, the animals, the showbags, the smell of hot chips and fairy floss, and that inevitable moment when the kids spot something they absolutely need.

But we all know a family day at the Show can add up quickly.

The good news? You don’t need to spend a fortune to have a brilliant day out. With a little planning, there are plenty of ways to keep the costs under control while still enjoying all the things that make the Royal Adelaide Show so special.

From free family entertainment and animal experiences to Aggies Farm, live shows, rides, food and all those must-have Show treats, there’s plenty to see and do beyond the things that cost extra.

So whether you’re planning one big Show day or trying to make the most of every dollar, our 2026 Royal Adelaide Show guide has you covered. We’ve rounded up what’s new, what’s FREE, what’s worth adding to your list, ticket information, rides, entertainment, family favourites and plenty of tips for making the most of your day.

And yes, we fully support dipping into the birthday money, tooth fairy stash and 10-cent bottle refund fund. Every little bit helps!

ENTRY FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR: $69

In 2026, weekday entry is your best bet for the most affordable option. Tickets can be pre-purchased online here or at participating Drakes Supermarkets.

Kids under 5 get in FREE, so if you’ve got a little one under five, that’s another way to save.

For our $150 family budget, we’re allowing $69 for entry.

That leaves us with $81 to spend on parking, food, rides, showbags and everything else.

And don’t worry, there are hundreds of activities and experiences included with your entry, so you definitely don’t need to spend money at every turn.

GETTING THERE AND PARKING: FREE or $18

If possible, have someone drop you off and pick you up. It’s free and means less walking and waiting. There are dedicated passenger zones on Rose Terrace and Leader Street for easy drop-offs.

If you’re driving, parking options around the Showgrounds start from $18, including Park 21W and Park 22, with some locations offering shuttle buses to the Showgrounds.

Public transport is another great option, with the Showgrounds Railway Station right at the Show and buses stopping nearby. Check Adelaide Metro for current routes and fares.

For our $150 budget, we’re going to allow $18 for parking.

Budget remaining: $63

Once inside, grab a free Show Map from a kiosk near the entrance. The entertainment schedule is on the back, so you can plan your day without missing the good stuff.

ANIMALS: FREE

We recommend heading to some of the animal areas first. All of the animal experiences at the Show are FREE (when we say free, we mean included in your ticket price) and who doesn’t love some animals! Here are some of our top picks:

• The Learning Centre
  An interactive area where you can hold baby chicks, pat animals, watch sheep shearing. You can even feed the baby animals (10:30 am and 3:30 pm) and milk a cow (9:30 am and 4:30 pm).
• Farmyard Nursery
  Kids (and big kids at heart) can cuddle miniature horses, alpacas, goats, and more, including a cow with her calf, a donkey with a foal, and playful lambs.
• Aggie’s Farm
  Kids can become mini farmers, exploring a faux chicken coop, orchards, fishing, and wool shearing. Trade produce for farm dollars and a special sticker.

SNACK TIME: $0

Everyone is probably hungry by now, so give your hands a good wash and sit down to watch some woodchopping while you eat some snacks you brought from home. That’s right – you’re on a budget remember! Don’t forget your water bottles and find a refill station around the grounds.

LET THE KIDS BURN SOME ENERGY: $0

After a quick snack, head over to the Climbing Tree pop-up nature paly space and let the kids expend some energy! This FREE play area, located at Goyder Plaza, features a cubby building zone and nature pods for endless exploration and imaginative play. It’s the perfect spot to get active and have fun in a natural setting.

BOULEVARD STAGE: $0

Presented by Gluttony, the Boulevard Stage is a great place to catch free entertainment throughout the Show.

Farmy Farm
More than a chook in a worm farm! Join Kenny and Jenny for a tractor-load of comedy, farming tomfoolery and seriously impressive acrobatics. Expect towering hay bales, giant juggling carrots, high-flying farmers and plenty of laughs for the whole family. Shows are at 11:30am and 2:30pm daily!

YELLOW BRICK ROAD: $24

The Yellow Brick Road is a beloved Show tradition and a fantastic way to add some local flavour to your day. These bags take you on a journey around the Showgrounds and are filled with delicious South Australian produce and treats from brands like Citrus SA, Gelista, San Remo, and more.

For $24, you’ll get two value-packed bags, leaving the budget at $39.

2026 pricing to be confirmed.

LUNCH: $14

By now, everyone is probably getting hungry, so give your hands a good wash, find somewhere to sit and tuck into a budget-friendly lunch.

Head to the Dairy Food Hall, where toasties are just $3.50 each. Four toasties will set you back $14, leaving $25 in the budget for the rest of the day.

Of course, bringing your own snacks and water bottles is an even better way to keep those dollars in your pocket.

HIT THE PAVILIONS: $0

Let’s start with Jubilee Pavilion, where over 160 exhibitors are divided into four fun zones: Lifestyle, Kid’s Zone, Home & Outdoor Living, and Hello SA. Even if you’re watching the budget, there’s plenty to enjoy, from window shopping and the latest trends to kid-friendly activities and home inspiration.

Over in the Goyder Pavilion, check out the stunning horticulture displays and see what tasty samples you can find in the food and wine area.

Then head to the Goyder Stage for plenty of free family entertainment. Kids can help Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman solve a mystery in Justice League, join Captain Barnacles on an Octonauts rescue mission, or train to be a hero with the PJ Masks.

• Justice League | 7–11 September | 3:00pm + 5:00pm on 11 Sep
• Octonauts: Captain Barnacles and the Octopod Rescue | 7–11 September | 1:00pm + 3:00pm on 11 Sep
• PJ Masks Show | 7–10 September | 11:00am

It’s all included with your Show entry, making it another great way to keep the $150 budget on track!

Next up, it’s time to choose your adventure based on your kids’ interests. Will they step back in time or dive into some hands-on fun?

SHOW MUSEUM: $0

For the little history buffs, take the kids on an educational journey at the Show Museum. They’ll explore the lives of early farmers, gardeners, cooks, creators, animal lovers, and winemakers. It’s a fun way to learn about history but might not be for everyone.

GOLDEN GRAINS: $0

If your kids have curious minds, head over to Golden Grains for some hands-on fun! This exhibit is a playground of interactive displays, with a full-time science communicator ready to guide them through exciting activities and learning experiences. We love this one.

TASTE SA PAVILION: $0

By now, everyone might be getting hungry again. Which means it’s the perfect time to head to Taste SA and sample some of the fantastic SA produce on offer. You’ll find Kytons Bakery, smallgoods, olives, confectionery, beverages, baked goods, honey and more! Get sampling and you might even find a new South Aussie favourite.

A COUPLE OF RIDES THAT WON’T BLOW YOUR BUDGET

Now it’s time to spend a little of that precious remaining budget!

There are a few $8 rides that are perfect for keeping things affordable. Choose from the Super Trucks, Tea Cups or Taxi Jets, all just $8 each.

With two kids having a ride each, that’s $16, leaving $9 in the budget for the rest of the day.

SHOWBAGS – $5

Now for the tricky part, walking past the Showbag Hall!

We’ve already got our Yellow Brick Road bags, so we’re not going crazy here. But if the kids are still begging for a Showbag, there are plenty of $5 options to choose from.

Choose from Rip Snorter Brain Blaster, Rip Snorter Little Ripper, Wizz Fizz Lil Fizz, Wizz Fizz Sour, Bertie Beetle Blue, Lollipops or Rainbow Freeze.

For our $150 budget, we’ll grab one to share for $5, leaving us with $4 to spare.

STILL GOING?

If you have little ones, this might be a good time to start wrapping up and head home. But if your kids are a bit older, stick around for the Fireworks Spectacular presented by Drakes Supermarkets, lighting up the sky at the end of each day.

While you wait, there’s plenty more to see on the Main Arena. Catch thrilling motorbike stunts with the Airtime Freestyle Motor X Team, laugh along with the Farmyard Dash, or cheer for your favourite in the Holden v Ford V8 Ute Challenge. Check the schedule here.

By the end of the day, we expect everyone will be happily exhausted and ready for bed!

So there you have it, the Royal Adelaide Show for under $150. With a bit of smart planning, you can enjoy the animals, free entertainment, lunch, a couple of rides and even bring home two showbags for the kids without blowing the budget.

Sure, you won’t be lugging around armfuls of prizes and random things you didn’t really need, but we reckon that’s pretty impressive value for a full day at the Show.

TOTAL SPENT: $146

$3 left in the budget! We did it!

For more ideas, check out our Royal Show Tips plus our Top 100 Things We Love at the Show.

You can grab your tickets online here