[PRESS RELEASE] 20 days until free camel rides and fun for all at the 2026 Royal Canberra Show

In just 20 days, the 2026 Royal Canberra Show opens at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) with free camel rides and a festival-style program packed with fresh attractions for all ages. Running 20-22 February, it's fun for the whole family.

Don't miss the free camel rides at Drover's Square, 9am-4pm daily. Perfect for kids, teens and adults. Families can also head straight to the new Circus Play Space in the Kids Gaming Grounds where children can clown around and burn off energy in an environment designed just for them.

Need more remote-control action? The new ASSET Construction Hire & CORMCC Remote Control Zone is a must see and do. Children and adults can get hands-on with off road remote control vehicles and jump into fun challenges using scale versions of excavators and tipper trucks. 

As a proud sponsor of the 2026 Royal Canberra Show, Asset Construction Hire, a locally owned family rental business, has partnered with the Canberra Off Road Model Car Club to create an experience that sparks imaginations and entertains all ages. Beyond these family-friendly highlights, the 2026 Royal Canberra Show is bigger, bolder and packed with surprises like roving performers, interactive zones and limited-time food creations you won't find anywhere else. 

A major first for the event, the inaugural Tri-Series Women's Woodchopping Competition will feature 24 elite athletes from New South Wales, Queensland and New Zealand's South Island competing in woodchopping, single and double sawing and high-octane chainsaw events.

Dog lovers are in for a standout program in 2026, with an expanded canine line-up including the crowd-favourite K9 Superwall in the Main Arena on Friday and Saturday nights, Military Working Dogs demonstrations near Gate 2, and the Trick Dogs competition near Gate 4.

Fan favourites return with an upgrade, including the hilarious Chicken and Fox Run 2.0 in the Main Arena, alongside colourful roving performers from Crack Up Entertainment. Catch these lively performers as they roam and deliver surprise 10‑minute 'Get Up and Dance' arena fillers after dark.

Food lovers, a word to the wise - arrive hungry. Make a beeline to the enormous line-up of exclusive Royal Canberra Show food specials launching for 2026. From savoury creations (loaded kebab dog, anyone?), to some seriously impressive sweet treats (the new rainbow fairy floss sundae from Mellabella Gelato is a must try), the food wizards are set to serve the goods. 

Following a record crowd of 56,000 last year, Royal Canberra Show CEO Adelina La Vita said the countdown signals a highly anticipated moment for the Show and the community.

"With just 20 days to go, we're so happy to be offering more free, family-friendly experiences than ever before," Ms La Vita said. "The 2026 Royal Canberra Show is shaping up to be our biggest and most exciting yet, and we can't wait to welcome Canberra back for a weekend full of fun, food and unforgettable memories."

As its centenary approaches in 2027, the Royal Canberra Show has never looked stronger. 

"Generations of Canberrans have grown up with the Royal Canberra Show," Ms La Vita said.  "It's where kids meet their first farm animals, competitors chase lifelong dreams, and families return year after year. With purpose-built livestock facilities and one of the largest main arenas in Australia for horse and show-jumping events, EPIC was made for agricultural shows. It holds our history, our heart, and the next 100 years of memories we're yet to create."

Canberra's biggest all-ages event, the Royal Canberra Show is staged annually by the Royal National Capital Agricultural Society and blends agriculture, entertainment and education in one weekend. To secure a media pass, contact Charne Saunders via seo@rncas.org.au.