Hazlett City Farmyard

Wed - Fri

The first (and middle and last) stop for many, is the Hazletts Farmyard. With visitors, big and small, able to get into the pens and pet the baby animals. The Hazletts Farmyard delivers you your dose of cuteness on a level like no other. Don’t miss the opportunity to ask our fantastic volunteers from NTA some questions about the animals, they are on hand to help all visitors learn something about these bundles of joy, alongside the cute cuddles of course.

Lawn Mower Racing

Wed - Fri

Forget the lawn mower you use on Sunday, these mowers are built for speed. Revved up and ready to roar, our drivers take their trusty ride-ons to the track. Expect tight corners, fierce rivalries and plenty of grass-roots action as they battle it out for bragging rights. So grab a spot trackside, pick your champion and cheer them over the finish line. You’ll never look at your own mower the same way again!

Goldpine Fencing Competition

Fri 11am - 1pm

Meet the next generation of rural talent! In the Goldpine Fencing Challenge, high school teams go post to post, racing the clock to build a fence that’s fast, straight, strong and built to last. It takes teamwork, grit and some serious skill, and these students bring all three. So head along, cheer on the young guns and see why the future of farming is in great hands!

Tractor Pull (Tractor Drag Racing)

Wed - Fri

This is horsepower like you’ve never seen it! These aren’t your average paddock tractors. We’re talking V8-swapped machines packing up to 750hp, tearing down a 150m track in a roar of smoke, speed and sheer muscle. Grab a front-row spot and feel the rumble as they launch off the line. And between races, get up close to the machines, check out what’s under the hood and see what it takes to turn a farm workhorse into a drag racing beast. Trust us, this is one you’ll hear before you see!

Sumner Brass Band

Friday 3x 45min performances 11am, 1pm, 3pm

What would the Show be without a brass band? On Friday, Show Day, the 30-strong Sumner Brass Band brings that classic Show soundtrack to the grounds across three 45-minute sets. From rousing marches and timeless hymns to traditional favourites and modern hits, there’s something for every ear. So find a spot, take a breather and let the band set the tune for your day at the Show!

Scurry Racing

Wednesday 4pm-5pm

They may not have the stature of a racehorse, but they certainly have the heart! Scurry Racing sees pairs of ponies and their carriage drivers dash through a tight course of cones, twisting and turning against the clock in a blur of hooves and wheels. Every knocked cone costs time, so it takes nerve, precision and perfect teamwork between driver, groom and ponies to take the win.

Duck Herding with Donald

Wed-Fri

Haven’t seen Duck Herding before… you need to! Longtime friend of the Show, Donald Stuart, puts on a duck herding display with a twist on the hour, every hour of the Show, providing a show of skill and a whole lot of laughter.

Gumboot Throwing Championships

Friday Comp only, give it a go on Wednesday & Thursday

Could you be the next big thing in gumboot throwing?...It’s time to find out! Head to the gumboot throwing lane and test your skills (with some tips from the pros on Friday) and you could find yourself flying to the Gumboot National Championships in Palmerston North.

Sounds of the Golden Homes Village Green

Wed-Fri

Take a seat in the sun and soak up sounds from the New Zealand Army Band, Benny Farrah, Karra Rhodes, The Eastern, Zed & plenty more. Offering a little something for everyone, choose your musical vibe and head to the Green for festival feels in the middle of the Showgrounds.

Equestrian Parade celebrating Year of the Horse

Thursday - 1:10

2026 is the Year of the Horse, and there’s no better place to celebrate than the Show! Join us in the Main Arena at 1:10pm on Thursday as horses and riders take to the ring for a special parade honouring these magnificent animals. From gentle giants to elegant show ponies, it’s a chance to see the many breeds and disciplines that make the horse such a big part of Canterbury’s story.

Wool Zone

Wed-Fri

Discover everything that’s great about New Zealand wool! The Wool Zone brings together 30 Kiwi wool businesses showcasing the very best of our wool industry, from cosy fashion and homewares to innovative products you might not expect. Chat with the people behind the brands, get hands-on with the fibre and find out why wool is one of nature’s most remarkable materials. While you’re there, check out the freshly judged fleeces from the Wool & Fibre competition and see the quality that puts New Zealand wool on the world stage.

New Zealand National Farrier Competition

Wed-Fri

Sparks will fly as the country’s top farriers go head to head for national glory! Armed with hammers, anvils and a blazing forge, competitors turn plain steel into handcrafted horseshoes before fitting them with expert care and precision. Every strike counts as the judges look for skill, speed and the perfect finish. It’s a centuries-old craft brought to life right before your eyes, so step up close, feel the heat and see the talent that keeps New Zealand’s horses on their feet.

Storytime with Christchurch City Libraries

Wed-Fri

Little ones love a good story, and Christchurch City Libraries are bringing plenty! Their library buses are rolling into the Show, packed with books to explore and stories to share. Pull up a spot for storytime, let the kids get lost in a tale or two, and climb aboard to discover what’s on the shelves. It’s the perfect way to take a breather between the animals and arena action.

NZME Needle in a haystack

Wed-Fri

Feeling lucky? Swing by the NZME site on the family lawn for your chance to dig deep in our Needle in a Haystack challenge, where lucky searchers could uncover a prize hidden among the hay. While you’re there, grab some free food giveaways to keep you fuelled for a full day at the Show. With good vibes, great prizes and tasty treats on offer, it’s well worth a stop.

STIHL Woodchopping Arena

Wed-Fri

Trans-Tasman competitors will take to the Arena, to chop, saw and battle it out in a sport which unites audiences, rural and urban. Viewing is hot property beside the Arena, so head along early and settle in to cheer on your team.

ATV Racing

Wed-Fri

Get ready for dirt, jumps and full-throttle action! The Canterbury ATV Club is bringing the thrills to the Show as riders take on a rough and ready track, launching over jumps and battling wheel to wheel for the lead. It’s fast, loud and packed with skill as these quad riders push their machines to the limit.

Country music and busking all 3 days

Wed-Fri

Kick back and soak up the tunes as music fills the Showgrounds across all three days! Country fans can catch the talents of Karra Rhodes, Benny Farrah and Lexi Sandford, bringing heartfelt lyrics, catchy hooks and plenty of toe-tapping twang. Wander the grounds and you’ll also stumble across our roving buskers, Josh Grimaldi, Mullet Man and Jodie Nakat, adding a little extra magic to your day.

Rare Breeds Society

Wed-FriWed-Fri

Meet some of New Zealand’s most unique and fascinating animals! The Rare Breeds Society brings a collection of rare and heritage breeds to the Show, many of which you won’t find anywhere else. From unusual sheep and goats to historic pigs, poultry and more, each animal has its own story and a special place in our farming history. Have a chat with the passionate breeders working hard to keep these breeds thriving, learn what makes each one so special and get up close to a living piece of New Zealand’s heritage.

Cellar Corner

Wed-Fri

Thirsty work exploring the Show? Make your way to Cellar Corner, right beside the Village Green Main Stage, where great food, cold drinks and live music come together. Browse a tasty line-up of food and drink vendors, then dare to try something different at the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival pop-up, bringing a taste of the West Coast’s famously adventurous menu to the Showgrounds. So grab a drink, pull up a seat and enjoy the tunes, the flavours and the good company.

ZED

Friday 12pm & 1:45pm

Kiwi rock legends ZED are coming to the Show! With ten Top 40 hits to their name, ZED defined the soundtrack of an entire generation of Kiwis, and now they’re bringing it all to the Canterbury A&P Showgrounds on Friday 13 November. Get ready to sing your heart out to classics like Renegade Fighter, Glorafilia and Hard to Find Her as the band takes to the stage. So round up your crew, find your spot and relive the hits that made ZED a household name!

Ballantynes Grand Parade

Friday 3:00

Formidable Clydesdales, robust cattle and top quality sheep take the Bayleys Premier Arena for a parade of all that is great about competing at the Show. Our Exhibitors put months of hard work into prep and this really is the pinnacle of showing at the Show. Head along and show your appreciation.

Getting Piggy With It

Thursday

Matching uniforms, punny names and more fedoras that you could ever imagine run riot in our Pig Section on the Thursday of the Show. This section has become the dark horse of the sections and has a bit of a cult following. Head along for a showing experience you will NOT see anywhere else.

Vintage Car & Machinery Display

Wed-Fri

Take a trip down memory lane at the Vintage Car & Machinery Display! Lovingly restored classic cars sit alongside the tractors, engines and farm machinery that helped build rural New Zealand, each one polished to perfection and full of character. Chat with the passionate owners about the hours of work behind each restoration, hear the stories of where these machines have been and maybe spot the very model your grandad used to drive.

Fossil Dig Pit with UC Geology

Wed-Fri

Grab a brush and get digging in our Fossil Dig Pit, where you can uncover hidden treasures from the past. Once you’ve made your discovery, swing by the show and tell with the University of Canterbury geology team, who’ll be on hand with fascinating rocks, fossils and stories about the ancient world beneath our feet. Ask them anything, get hands-on with real specimens and find out what Canterbury looked like millions of years ago.

Mighty Mix Jack Russel Race

Friday 3:45

The Mighty Mix Jack Russell Race sees these pint-sized pocket rockets tear down the track in hot pursuit of the lure, with plenty of yapping, zooming and the odd unexpected detour along the way. It’s chaotic, hilarious and an absolute crowd favourite.

Southern Cross Pet Insurance Discovery Trail

Wed-Fri

Ready for an adventure? Set off on the Southern Cross Pet Insurance Discovery Trail and explore the Showgrounds for your chance to win some fantastic prizes! Up for grabs is a pawsome line-up of pet goodies, including a Hairy Dog grooming kit and Thirsty Dog drink bottle pack, a $50 Animates gift card, a $50 Pickle’s Portraits voucher for a custom keepsake of your furry friend, and LEGO pet prize packs featuring buildable cat and dog figures. Plus plenty more!

A Taste of Europe

Wed-Fri

Offering the chance to taste a little of Europe, right here in Christchurch, the European Union are on-site showcasing all that is delicious about our favourite holiday destinations. Whether cheese, wine or serrano ham is your go to holiday treat, head to their stand to try out the best Europe has to offer.

Pedalmania

Friday

Think you can ride a bike? Think again! Pedalmania rolls into the Show with a fleet of strange, wonderful and completely bizarre pedal-powered “crazy bikes”. Built from old second-hand bikes and given a whole new lease on life, these creations range from solo rides to contraptions built for five or more riders pedalling together. Some steer backwards, some wobble wildly and all of them guarantee a laugh.

Shearing & Woolhandling

Thurs-Fri

It’s one of the most iconic sights in New Zealand farming, and you can see it at its very best at the Show! Watch as skilled shearers go blade to blade and handpiece to handpiece, peeling off fleeces with incredible speed and precision while the crowd roars them on. It takes strength, stamina and serious technique to make it look this easy, and every second counts as they race for the top spot.