Royal Canberra Show returns in 2023 with entertainment for all ages

Highly regarded among Canberrans and visitors from surrounding regions, Canberra’s largest all-ages event - the Royal Canberra Show - returns to Exhibition Park in 2023 with a full program of show activities.

Steeped in history and expanding from its agricultural core, the show today provides a highly anticipated program of entertainment, competition, educational showcases and exhibitions.

Beyond the hustle and bustle of the Royal Canberra Show, visitors can witness a host of competitions – be it horse, cattle or perhaps even flyball.

Consisting of two teams of four dogs each, flyball is a relay drag race of epic proportions. Each dog must run and jump over four hurdles, retrieve a ball then return over the hurdles and cross the start/finish line.

Belconnen Dog Obedience Club and Belconnen Bullets Flyball team president Sally Provins has competed at the Canberra Show for several years.

Provins enthused “we love the Canberra show, the ability to showcase flyball and how involved the crowds are – we also think some of the dogs love having the addition of the crowds to show off too.

“Flyball is a great way for dogs to expend energy, not only do they get to do all the things dogs love – running, jumping, and fetching – but it gives them a mental challenge and their very own job.”

There will be four Canberra Flyball clubs participating, including The ACT Companion Dog Club, Tuggeranong Dog Training Club, We’ve Got This Flyball team and the Belconnen Bullets.

Along with the Flyball competition, this year’s Royal Canberra Show includes:

Milking and Shearing Demonstrations
Visit the Milking Barn to witness cattle milking and sheep shearing educational demonstrations
Milking demonstration (Friday, Saturday, Sunday): 10:30am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm.
Shearing demonstration (Friday, Saturday, Sunday): 11:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm.

Main Arena Show
Be arena side on Friday and Saturday night to catch the action and entertainment of the main arena show. This year’s program includes freestyle motocross, lawnmower racing, and of course the annual fireworks show.

Racing Pigs
Noah’s farm thoroughbred racing pigs will take to the course everyday of this year’s show. Get trackside to cheer on your favourite pig.
Race times (Friday, Saturday, Sunday): 10:00am, 12:00pm, 1:30pm, 3:00pm, 5:00pm.

Farmyard Nursery
Pet a lamb, calf, kid, or duckling and make a new friend. The farmyard nursery allows visitors the opportunity to get up close to some friendly farm animals.

Sideshow Alley
The highly-anticipated rides and games of Canberra’s sideshow alley will be back for 2023. Featuring something for the thrill seekers, kids and families, there will be plenty of fun to be found. Take a ride on the Cha Cha, cruise around on the Ferris Wheel or take a pony ride.

Tickets to the show, a full event program and more information is available on the Royal Canberra Show’s website

For information about travelling to the show, please visit the Transport Canberra website

If you’re interested in getting involved with Flyball, or the Belconnen Dog Obedience Club, visit their website

Image top: Royal Canberra Show Flyball competition; image above: From rides, showbags, equestrian, flyball, demonstrations and agricultural showcases, this year’s Royal Canberra Show has entertainment for all ages.