Show Background

The Canterbury A&P Association's annual Show has delighted visitors, young and old alike, every year since its inception in 1863. With the move in 1997 to Canterbury Agricultural Park, the Show’s popularity is stronger than ever before.

Whether it’s the tastes of gourmet food and wines, the stomach turning rides in sideshow alley, the feature entertainment, the excitement of judging in the showrings or the smells and smiles during the Grand Parade, the Show is an annual ritual for Cantabrians. 

It now boasts close to 7000 livestock and feature competition entries, 600 trade exhibitors, indoor and outdoor exhibits, feature marquees and pavilions as well as top entertainment and attractions. During the three days of the Show 900 horses, 1000 sheep, 350 cattle, 300 alpacas and hundreds of animals from dairy goats to sheep dogs converge on the Showgrounds.

Entertainment is also a cornerstone of the Show and there is plenty to keep visitors of all ages entertained, whether it’s on the Main Stage on the Village Green or the action in the Main Arena.

The Show is a key component of New Zealand Cup & Show Week, a Spring festival of all things rural, racing and fashion. The festival is promoted nationally and internationally by Christchurch City Council and contributes over $28 million to the local economy. For more information on the programme of events visit www.nzcupandshow.co.nz.

An already successful event with on average 100,000 show visitors, over 30 percent originating from outside Christchurch, the Show has come along way.