Balmoral Show 2026, 2027 and 2028 - Dates and origins

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Balmoral Show dates

The Balmoral Show, closely tied to the development of agriculture in Northern Ireland, takes place on the following dates:

• from Wednesday, 13th to Saturday, 16th May 2026
• from Wednesday, 12th to Saturday, 15th May 2027
• from Wednesday, 10th to Saturday, 13th May 2028

It takes place each May over four days full of attractions, competitions, and celebrations.

Origins

The origins of the Balmoral Show¹ are closely tied to the development of organised agriculture in Northern Ireland² and the desire to improve farming standards, livestock breeding, and rural life. Founded in the mid-19th century, a period when agriculture was central to the Irish economy and agricultural societies were being established across the United Kingdom and Ireland to promote innovation and best practice, it has been a fixture in Northern Ireland’s agricultural calendar for over a century.

In 1854, following the great famine³, the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society of Ireland (RUAS)⁴, previously the North East Agricultural Association of Ireland, was formed. Its charitable objectives were to improve the quality of agricultural enterprises across Northern Ireland by sharing best practice through agricultural shows and exhibitions. It encompassed the counties of Down, Antrim, Armagh and Monaghan and its creation reflected a growing recognition that farming needed structured support, education, and competition to move forward.

At the time, many farmers relied on traditional methods, and there was increasing interest in improving crop yields, livestock quality, and land management through scientific approaches and selective breeding. Agricultural shows were seen as an effective way to encourage these improvements by allowing farmers to display their best animals and produce, exchange knowledge, and learn from one another.

The first Balmoral Shows

The first Balmoral Show was held shortly after the society’s formation, from 23^rd - 24^th August 1855, at Belfast Corporation Markets on Chichester Street, on the banks of the River Lagan. It featured 506 entries.

Early shows were relatively modest affairs, but they played a crucial role in bringing together farmers from across Ulster. Competitions for cattle, sheep, horses, and crops were central features, with prizes awarded to those demonstrating excellence. These competitions helped set benchmarks for quality and encouraged farmers to invest in better breeding and husbandry practices.

Eventually outgrowing the venue, the annual show moved to the 32-acre Balmoral Site, an exhibition park near Lisburn, Northern Ireland, from 1896 – 2012. The name ‘Balmoral⁵’ comes from the area of south Belfast. The location became synonymous with the event, even as the show grew far beyond its original scale. In 1934, the King’s Hall⁶, the largest exhibition venue in Northern Ireland, was opened on the site by HRH the Duke of Gloucester⁷.

Agriculture, learning, and entertainment

As the years progressed, the Balmoral Show evolved alongside changes in agriculture. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw advances in machinery, fertilisers, and veterinary science, all of which found a platform at the show through demonstrations and trade exhibits.

Despite political, economic, and social challenges in Northern Ireland over the years, the Balmoral Show endured. It became more than just a farming competition; it grew into a symbol of rural resilience and community. During difficult periods, including times of conflict and economic hardship, the show continued to offer a sense of continuity and pride for the agricultural sector.

By the late 20th century, the Balmoral Show had firmly established itself as Northern Ireland’s premier agricultural event, attracting not only farmers but also families, schools, and visitors with no direct connection to farming. While its scope expanded to include food festivals, equestrian sports, and family entertainment, its core purpose remained rooted in its origins: the promotion of agriculture, rural skills, and local produce.

Today, although the venue has changed (2013), the Balmoral Show still reflects the vision of its founders in 1854. It stands as a testament to the enduring importance of agriculture in Northern Ireland and the role that organised agricultural societies have played in shaping and sustaining rural life for over a century and a half.

Show highlights

Today, the Balmoral Show is held at the at the Eikon Exhibition Centre⁸, Lisburn, each May over four days. The 65-acre site hosts over 3,500 livestock, 500 trade stands and hundreds of competitions. The 150^th Balmoral Show was hosted in 2018.

Top attractions at the show include:

Livestock Competitions⁹ - Hundreds of classes for a variety of farm animals, including cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, poultry and more – here some of the finest breeds are showcased to spectators with coveted rosettes up for grabs for the best in show.

Equestrian Events⁹ - Visitors can enjoy an array of showjumping events, including six international competitions (CSI2*)¹⁰ which boast a prize fund of over £55,000. These are the highest level of international showjumping competitions. There are also national competitions, which are restricted to those who have pre-qualified, an under-10s championship, and the Schools Show Jumping Open Team Championship which involves 5 pre-qualified school teams from the Ulster Region and the top 5 school teams from the Equestrian Inter-schools Ireland League.

Sheep Shearing⁹ - Held in the Sheep Shearing Pavilion, sheep shearers showcase their precision, speed, and skill in front of spectators. There is also a wool handling¹¹ section which demonstrates the skills needed to manage and prepare wool after shearing.

Children’s activities - There are an abundance of fun and educational experiences for kids at the Balmoral Show, including mini-Land Rover driving experiences, street performers, a children’s farm with an abundance of cute baby farm animals, a fun fair, the Downtown Show Stage¹², and sensory and wellbeing experiences hosted by Diverse Minds Events¹³.

Food Pavilion - As a celebration of the agri-food industry, the Balmoral Show prides itself on showcasing local produce, street food, and artisan goods. As well as a vast array of food stalls spread across the site, visitors can also visit the NI Food & Drink Pavilion for cooking demonstrations, or the Healthy Horticulture Marquee for a more tranquil space where the great outdoors is embraced and celebrated with creative cookery and a kid’s foraging trail.

Shopping Village - With hundreds of trade stands both indoors and outdoors, visitors are spoilt for choice with a wide variety of products, from crafts and toys to local produce, clothing, and beauty goods.

Sustainability Village - Showcasing eco-friendly innovations, this trade space hosts an array of businesses and charities who are committed to renewable energy solutions.

JCB Dancing Diggers¹⁴ - A crowd favourite, this iconic live performance team combines the engineering excellence of JCB machinery with entertainment, as up to eight mighty machines perform impressive stunt manoeuvres, including pyramid formations, balancing acts, and seamless spins.