There’s just a week to go to the ever-popular Kiama Show, which this year celebrates its 178-year anniversary.

Hosted at the Kiama Showground –one of the state’s most picturesque locations – the Show features a broad selection of agricultural events and entertainment over two full days on Friday and Saturday (23-24 January), culminating in a stunning firework display at around 9pm on Saturday.

Giddy up

At the heart of the two-day Show are, of course, cattle and horses, Pony Club events and competitive showjumping.

Friday show classes, starting at 10am, include cute Australian Miniature Ponies and Shetlands, Arabians and Warmbloods, as well as Australian National Saddlehorses and Stock horses in ridden contests, with Pony Club events kicking off at about 11.30am in Ring 1.

Saturday features junior and senior riding classes and a 15-hand-plus competition that includes the Off The Track Thoroughbred NSW/ACT Series, whose winner and runner-up will be eligible to take part in the NSW state final.

Standardbred classes are new for 2026, open to horses registered with Harness Australia only. Showjumping competitions take place over both days, starting at 9am. Showjumping heights have been altered to encourage more riders to develop their skills and compete in this thrilling competition.  

Photo: Brian Scott

Cattle all class

Cattle classes celebrate the local area’s long history of farming and dairy production, which still take place extensively among Kiama’s justifiably famous, green rolling hills.

Expect to see dairy breeds such as Illawarra, Holsteins and Jerseys, and a wide range of beef cattle.

Young farmers (under 14s and under 18s) take part too, proudly showing off their particular charges.

Cattle shows take place from 9.30am on Friday and are an exciting chance to learn more about local farming and agriculture.

On the chopping block

On Saturday the attention turns to competition of the humankind. Yes, it’s the woodchop! This classic event has been part and parcel of the Kiama Show for over 70 years.

If you can bear to watch as axes slam into solid logs, expect skilled participants in standing block and tree-felling classes, with the Double-handed Sawing Championship and Junior Underhand Handicap event further highlights of this iconic sport.

Woodchop events begin at 9.30am on Saturday in a dedicated arena at the church end of the Showground.

The Pavilion a hive of activity

A country show wouldn’t be a country show without Pavilion events, and new this year is a wonderful prize in grateful recognition of the outstanding contribution made by Pavilion steward Bruce McIntyre, in over 50 years of dedicated service.

Donated by Bruce’s son Geoff in honour of his father, who sadly died last year, the Bruce McIntyre Award rewards the Most Successful Exhibitor Overall in the Pavilion, with a $200 first prize, trophy and ribbon, and $100 runner-up prize and ribbon.

Entries to Pavilion classes can be made up to 5pm on Monday 19 January, and delivered on Wednesday 21 January from 3pm-6pm, and on Thursday from 8am-11am.

Cut flowers, roses, dahlias and decorative flower classes have until noon on Thursday 22 January to enter, with submissions due between 6.30am and 8am on Friday 23 January. For how to enter, check out the Kiama Show website on kiamashow.com.au/2026-schedule.

Produce and cooking

Vegetables, fruit and produce always deliver a mouth-watering selection of beautifully presented goodies that wouldn’t look out of place in the finest greengrocer, while cookery shows off participants’ baking and cooking skills.

Classics such as fruit cake, scones, brownies and Anzac biscuits are ranged alongside jams, preserves, pickles and condiments, with an extensive selection of junior cookery classes, open to age groups from Under 5 to 16 and under, giving the kids an early – er, ‘taste of competition.

New to the baking line-up this year is ‘My favourite cake’. Reserved for exhibitors aged 80 and over, participants are invited to choose and create a cake recipe that’s special to them. Prepare to dazzle with your very own take on the Victoria Sponge!

Photo: Brian Scott

Handicrafts, art, Lego

Creativity is the watchword throughout the Pavilion – think artwork, photography, handicrafts, sewing, spinning and weaving, with expanded classes this year for knitted and crocheted rugs.

Last year saw the inaugural Kia-Bald portrait competition in a tongue-in-cheek homage to the Archibald, which will doubtless invite another talented selection of portraits of Kiama identities.

Kids have their own classes, with the Junior artwork section attracting a host of entries in particular.

Another big attraction for the under 18s is the Lego section, and from this year, their parents can get a piece of the action and a chance to become Lego masters in their own right with new entries for adults, as well as an intergenerational class.

For this, grab a grown-up (or two) and create an aspect of the Kiama Show from Lego, document it and submit your entry for a chance to win.

Flowers and plants in bloom

Every year areas of the Pavilion are turned over to flower power – a gorgeous array of cut flowers filling the space with colour and fragrance.

Roses and dahlias earn their own special group of classes, as do decorative arrangements, with an inspiring selection of posies displayed in containers such as vases, teacups and teapots.

There’s something for everyone, whether your taste runs to colourful blooms or subtle foliage.

Pot plants demand particular care, so it’s only fitting that they should feature in their own special section, with extra classes this year in the Junior section (17 years and under).

Adults should bring in their bromeliads, fish out their ferns and seek out their succulents for their chance to win the plaudits of Most Successful Exhibitor and the Robert Young Shield, donated by Elizabeth Burnett of Burnetts on Barney.

Entertainment aplenty

A full program of entertainment running alongside traditional events means fun for all the family at this year’s Show.

Let the games begin (at 2pm on Friday) with Billycart and Hobby Horse races, the Tug of War and Gumboot Toss, all kindly sponsored by Native Cafe.

MadStyle Moto Bikes make a welcome return to the Show with a motorcycle display packed with jaw-dropping tricks and stunts.

Move over Muster Dogs! Farmer Dave’s canine superstars also return to this year’s Show with the K9 Superwall – a vertical obstacle that gets higher and higher each round – and Temptation Alley.

Photo: Brian Scott

Will the intrepid pups make it seamlessly from one end of the arena to the other, or will they be swayed by the many toys and treats along the way, designed to put good dogs off their stride?

Find out at the Showground on Friday and Saturday evenings (see program for timings).

There’s also the chance to put your own pet in the spotlight at the annual Pet Show, taking place this year on Friday at 5pm in the Showground.

Junior classes, open to children under 16, include Most Unusual Pet, Cutest Cat or Kitten, Best Groomed Dog and much more, while adult classes feature Best Trick, Golden Oldie and the ever-popular Pet Most Like Its Owner.

Entries to the Pet Show close at 5pm on Monday 19 January, so there’s still time to include your favourite furry or feathered friend. For a full list of classes, check out the Kiama Show Schedule online at kiamashow.com.au/2026-schedule.

Saturday sees an action-packed day, starting with Footgolf in the Showground and featuring a

double round of ShowMow, featuring modified lawnmowers up against each other in a battle to put the Wacky Races to shame.

Just don’t expect the grass to be trimmed – the focus here is speed over style.

The Six Bar equestrian event is a thrilling contest comprising a series of tightly spaced, ever-taller fences to jump, to delight horse-watchers, while the Farmfit Challenge gives participants the chance to show off their farm-edged fitness and endurance with a series of physical challenges.

Ambassador program

Saturday will also give visitors the opportunity to welcome Kiama Young Woman 2026.

Mia Thompson, 18, works on a dairy farm and will go on to compete against other entrants from local shows for a chance to appear in the Zone Final, which will be held by Albion Park Show in February.

It’s an especially exciting time for young people at the Show this year, with the launch of Kiama Show’s involvement in the Rural Ambassador program.

Mia Thompson. Photo: Supplied

Aimed at people aged 14-30 years, the program aims to attract and encourage those who would like to learn more about agriculture in general and the Show in particular, but aren’t sure how or where to start.

Read more about the program on the Kiama Show website.

Kiama Show program

Friday​​

9.00am Pavilion opens (downstairs only; upstairs opens 11am)

9.00am Showjumping events begin

9.30am Dairy and beef cattle classes begin, including Junior Paraders

10.00am Australian miniature, Shetlands, Coloured and Standardbred horse classes begin (Ring 1)

10.00am Arabian, Warmblood, Saddlehorse and Stock horse classes begin (Ring 2)

11.30am (approx) Pony Club and Open Sporting events begin (Ring 1)

2:00pm Billycart Races (Showground)

2:30pm Hobby Horse Race (Showground) - Sponsored by Native Cafe

3:30pm Gumboot Toss (Showground)- Sponsored by Native Cafe

4:00pm Official Opening of the 2026 Kiama Show (Showground)

5:00pm Pet Show (Showground) - Sponsored by Joske Family

6:00pm Farmer Dave's Temptation Alley (Showground)

7:00pm MadStyleMoto Bikes (Showground) - Sponsored by Middleton Financial Planning

7:00pm Pavilion closes

8:00pm Farmer Dave's K9 Superwall (Showground) - Sponsored by Summerbell Foundation

9pm Close of Show

​

Saturday

9.00am Pavilion opens

9.00am Showjumping events begin

9.00am Pony and riding classes begin (Ring 1)

9.00am Hacks, Adult Riding, Galloway hacks, Show Hunter Galloways and Hacks classes begin

9:30am Woodchop events begin

2:00pm Footgolf (Showground) - Sponsored by Jamberoo Footgolf

3:00pm Gumboot Toss (Showground) - Sponsored by Native Cafe

3.15pm Billycart Races (Showground) - Sponsored by Native Cafe

3:45pm Hobby Horse Races (Showground) - Sponsored by Native Café

4:00pm Six Bar Jump (Showground)

4:30pm Ag Ambassador & Young Women Presentation (Showground) - Supported by BlueScope WIN Community Partnership & The Agriculture Group (TAG)

5:00pm Farmfit Challenge (Showground) - Sponsored by Cloud Wealth

5:45pm Farmer Dave's Temptation Alley (Showground)

6:30pm  ShowMow - Lawnmower Race Round 1 (Showground) - Sponsored by Aaron Shelley – Project Dry Hire & Kilmore Plant Services Kiama

​7:30pm Farmer Dave's K9 Superwall (Showground) - Sponsored by Summerbell Foundation

8:15pm ShowMow - Lawnmower Race Round 2 (Showground)- Sponsored by Aaron Shelley - Project Dry Hire & Kilmore Plant Services Kiama​

8.30pm Pavilion closes

9.00pm Fireworks - Sponsored by Carter Ferguson Solicitors, Gerringong