The Royal Adelaide Show is BACK from 31 August – 8 September 2024
It’s one of our favourite Adelaide activities on the calendar each year. With heaps to see and do, from the adorable barnyard animals, agriculture competitions and events, rides, plenty of attractions and of course the Showbags – there really is something to interest everyone!
To help you and your family make the most of The Show, here are our tips for attending this year.
Things to Know Before you Go
- OPEN/CLOSE TIMES: The Royal Adelaide Show is on from 31 August – 8 September (2 full weekends) and opens at 9am every day. The Carnival attractions operate until 11pm daily with the exception of Sunday 8th September when they will close at 10.30pm.
- FIREWORKS: See the RAA Fireworks each night to close out the Main Arena: 8pm every night and 9pm on Fridays & Saturdays
- TICKETS: Pre-purchase tickets online or at your local Foodland for a discount and also to avoid lining up on the day. Kids under 5 years are FREE, older children start from $16.50 and adults from $27.00 Click here to purchase your tickets now! A Carnival Discount Pass for rides an also be pre-purchased in advance and you’ll save up to 20% regular prices.
- PURCHASE a few necessary or useful items in advance. If the weather is looking grim, consider buying a few ponchos to take – just in case. The Show Kiosks, the Show Police Station, and the Volunteer HQ offer free, single-use wristbands to write your phone number on too.
- TAKE A PHOTO of your kids before you head out, both with and without their jackets. This way, if they happen to get separated in a crowd, you can show people or the authorities a recent photo of what they were wearing.
- SHOWBAGS: Set a budget for older kids and have them select their showbags ahead of time to minimise stress and prevent overspending on the day. Consider picking up the showbags last, so you don’t have to carry them around – just grab them on your way out. Check out the showbag guide here: https://theshow.com.au/showbags/ or see our ‘Best of SA Showbags‘ list.
- PLAN YOUR DAY: With so much to see, do, eat, and play at The Show, it’s a good idea to plan ahead. Have each family member choose a few highlights they want to experience so everyone can have a great time. You can also create an account here to save your favourite attractions and build your own personalised itinerary. Pretty handy, right?
On The Day
- SAFETY: Snap a photo of each child on your phone before you head out. This way, if they happen to get separated, you’ll have a clear image of what they’re wearing to help find them quickly.
- TRANSPORT: Public transport is often the best way to get to and from The Show. Consider taking the tram, train, or one of the extra buses available. For details on all transport options, click here. If you prefer to drive, Park 22 in the parklands directly north across Greenhill Road from The Showgrounds is a popular choice and will set you back $17. Alternative parking options are available here.
- BYO PRAM: Don’t forget to bring a baby carrier, pram or stroller. Even the most energetic kids get tired after a day of exploring. OR, onsite stroller and wheelchair rentals are available for $5 per hour plus a $50 deposit.
- LOCKERS: If you want to lighten your load, lockers are available from $2 each day from 9:00am to 9:30pm. They are located in the Atrium Food Court.
- PACK A BACKPACK: A backpack is easier to carry than multiple showbags. Fill it with water, snacks, and other essentials to keep the kids happy throughout the day. If you plan to stay for the fireworks, bring earmuffs for little ones who might be sensitive to the noise. Also, pack baby wipes, hand sanitiser, and sunscreen.
- HAVE FUN: Most importantly, enjoy yourselves! Be flexible about how long you stay, what the kids eat, and how many baby animals they get to hold. The Royal Adelaide Show is a special family outing, so stay relaxed and make the most of this once-a-year experience!
Visit some of our favourite S.A businesses
Bazinga
Our mates from Bazinga Trading Cards, Collectibles & Arcade in Munno Para will be at the Royal Adelaide Show this year with Gotham Collectables.
Click here to read more about their Munno Para store.
Ugly Swan
You probably already know that Kids in Adelaide are huge fans of the Ugly Swan range of hairbrushes and hair towels. They really have been a game changer in our morning routine because just quietly, brushing kids hair SUCKS! (well it used to, but not anymore) You’ll find Ugly Swan in the Jubilee Pavilion with their full range on display and some special show offers
Menz Fruchocs
Head to the Showbag Hall to get your hands on some delicious Menz products, including their famous Fruchoc Showbags!
Kytons Bakery
Kytons Bakery has had a stall at the Royal Show for as long as we can remember. Go and reacquaint yourself with this SA classic!
Visit Larry The Lamington on their stand, check out the cookie wall (maybe have a sample or two!) and chat to their staff about their fundraising options for your school, club or community group.
The mention of Kytons lamingtons evokes memories of school lamington drives for so many South Australians. Kytons Lamington Drives are still an integral part of Kytons business as well as Easter, winter and Christmas drives. Each year Kytons assists hundreds of school, community or sporting groups with their fundraising efforts. They have some great options, including the choice of Kytons staff packing your individual orders or pack them yourselves and get an additional 5% off your order cost!
Talk to them while you are at the Show and pick up some lamingtons, cookies, fruitcake or their other delicious treats while you’re there!
Melbas
Head to Melba’s Chocolates in the Old Ram Shed for their delicious chocolates (including their famous ‘cow pat’), lollies and of course one of their yummy Choc Dipper Cups!
It’s a Royal Show tradition for us!
Budget Tips – Getting the most bang for your buck at the Royal Adelaide Show
- CHEAP ENTRY DAYS: Always pre-purchase your tickets for the cheapest prices & RAA Members can get them even cheaper via the RAA website until sold out. It is cheapest to go on a weekday – if you want to visit on a Saturday or Sunday, you’ll need to purchase a weekend ticket. After 6pm entry is also a bit cheaper. Kids under 5 are FREE!
- BYO FOOD AND DRINKS: Especially if you have younger kids who may well enjoy your usual (& often healthier) snacks than unfamiliar foods. Water bottles can be refilled at the show free of charge which is great to know.
- If you’re after FREE and CHEAP things to do at The Show – check out our tips for doing The Show with your family for under 100 bucks post and remember we’ll be posting show related content over on our Facebook page so be sure to LIKE our page!
What’s New at the Royal Adelaide Show in 2024
- The Joker – Ride lovers will love The Joker, a new looping sensation that swings 24 meters over the crowd. Offering a 360-degree revolution and 4.5G’s of negative force, along with two additional rotating movements, this ride delivers a unique and ultimate thrill.
- Beach Party – Ride lovers will also enjoy the Beach Party! This new family-friendly attraction lifts and rotates riders 6 meters high in free-spinning cars and carriages, providing a smooth and awesome experience for all ages.
- ‘Aggie’s Farm’ – Back bigger and better, take the kids to Stirling Angas Hall where kids can become miniature farmers for the day – this is a FREE activity.
- Boulevard Stage – Brought to You by Gluttony – Catch a high-energy lineup at the Boulevard Stage with 80’s Ladies bringing retro hits, DJ Nelya spinning global beats, and The Circus Firemen delivering acrobatic comedy. Plus, enjoy The Big Wheel Show’s contortionist marvels and Wham Glam Circus Man’s rock-infused magic and circus acts.
- Kids mid-week entertainment – Catch mid-week kids’ fun on the Goyder Stage with Dirtgirl’s Grubby Bucket Show, the interactive Kangaroo Beach experience, and Climbing Tree’s Nature Space for creative play.
Showbags at 2024 Royal Adelaide Show – Fast Facts
Showbags are a Royal Adelaide Show staple, don’t we all remember saving up & circling the Showbag guide as a kid?! There are hundreds of bags to choose from this year, with the full list online at theshow.com.au/showbags
New Showbags in 2024
- Trolls ($30)
- Polly Walffle ($16)
- NBA Showbags ($36)
- Love Chella ($32)
The Best Value Showbags in 2024
- Cadbury 5 for $20 ($20)
- Charlesworth Nuts Chocaholic Showbag ($25)
- Yellow Brick Road presented by Brand SA (one for $13, two for $22)
The Cheapest Showbags in 2024
- Wizz Fizz Monster Munch Chocolate Bag ($5)
- Rip Snorter Little Ripper Bag ($5)
- Warheads Showbag ($5)
The Most Expensive Showbags in 2024
- Lindt Box of Blocks ($165)
- Lindt Box of 100 Balls ($77)
- Morish Jumbo Showbag ($50)
*images from The Royal Show Facebook/website
You might also be interested in
-
The Royal Adelaide Show opens its gates again to Adelaide from 31 August - 8 September 2024. To celebrate we've done a quick whip around the KiA team and tried to put together a list of 100 things we love the most about The Show! Are there any hidden secrets you love at The Royal Adelaide Show?Where is your favourite exhibit?What is your favourite ride? Word is they're bringing back all of our favourites this year, as well as a few exciting surprises. Tickets are on sale now - kidsinadelaide.com.au/event/royal-adelaide-show The EPIC Fireworks Display Dagwood dogs Getting a bag of 6 hot cinnamon donuts to “share” Circling all the showbags you want to buy from the showbag guide and then finding them all in the Showbag Pavilion- you can find the 2024 showbag guide here > https://www.theshow.com.au/showbags/ And of course including Bertie Beetle in that list! Learning all about agriculture at the Aggie's Farm Interactive activities in Stirling Angas Hall. The weekday BLUEY Show on the Goyder Stage Follow the Yellow Brick Road Stopping for lunch at the Main Arena to enjoy the Horses In Action Sideshow alley - can you win a prize? Going on a scary ride with…
-
Showbags are such a fun and often highly anticipated purchase for families and kids attending The Royal Adelaide Show. Given dollars are tight for most Adelaide families we love the idea of buying a showbag or (showbag alternative) that offers something practical, oozes bang for buck is still fun and has something for every one in the family to enjoy. Enter our list of fantastic South Australian Show Bags. We found it really hard to pick a selection of mainstream bags to review this year (there must be over 400 on offer), so following the recent Buy SA for SA week we have decided to ditch the plastic rubbish and crap food and just narrow it down to some South Australian bags, that are not only loaded with treats and practical quality contents, the value for what you are actually getting is exceptional. Here is some value bags we are giving a big tick, that will keep every one happy (our school lunch boxes have never looked better!) By supporting South Australian, we are doing our bit and teaching our kids the value of local. So here are our top picks for a family showbag (or showbag alternative) that will…
-
It’s Show Time baby! The Royal Adelaide Show is back from 31 August - 8 September 2024, and we couldn’t be more excited! But as fellow parents, we know that the thought of a day out at the Show can be a bit overwhelming, especially with the potential for a hefty price tag. If you’re okay with letting the kids spend the day in the Carnival area, collecting more Showbags than they can carry, and enjoying every sweet treat in sight, your wallet might feel the pinch. But here’s the exciting part: what if we told you that you can enjoy the Royal Adelaide Show for under $100? That’s right! With a little planning, you can have a fantastic day out for a family of four without breaking the bank. Read on to find out how you can make the most of the Show for just $100 (and yes, your kids will still get to enjoy a ride!) And let’s just hope the kids have been saving their birthday money, tooth fairy cash, 10-cent bottle refunds, and any spare change they’ve collected - after all, every little bit helps! ENTRY FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR: $63.50In 2024, weekday entry is…
