All you need to know about the Great Yorkshire Show 2026

The Great Yorkshire Show is set to welcome tens of thousands of visitors to its showground this week.

The 167th edition of the agricultural extravaganza will take place in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, promising a mix of breed shows, food and entertainment.

Up to 37,500 people are expected to attend each day of the event, from Tuesday to Friday, after the daily capacity was increased this year by 2,500.

From the weather forecast to travel options, here is everything you need to know.

Organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, the show is one of the biggest agricultural events in the English calendar.

140,000 visitors - and more than 8,500 animals - attend the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate each year.

It is a celebration of rural life, with thousands of animals competing throughout and a show-jumping competition to the round things off.

There is also entertainment, shopping, live music and a fashion show as well as appearances from Kelvin and Liz Fletcher, Peter Wright, Jules Hudson and Harriet Cowan.

Tickets for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday have already sold out, but there are some remaining for Friday.

Entry costs £36.50 for an adult, £13 for children, or £89 for a family of two adults and up to three children.

Trains run roughly every half an hour between Leeds and Harrogate, and every 30 minutes between York and Harrogate.

Visitors can catch a free return shuttle bus from Harrogate station direct to the Great Yorkshire Showground between 07:20 BST and 19:00.

The Number 7 bus runs every hour and passes the showground's entrance.

Organisers have encouraged visitors to use public transport and make use of the shuttle bus system wherever possible.

Barrie Mason, North Yorkshire Council's assistant director for highways, said visitors and those using main roads in the area should allow extra time for their journeys.

"With hot weather forecast and high traffic levels anticipated, there may be increased congestion and delays," he said.

Wetherby Road will be one-way towards the showground from the Kestrel Roundabout to the junction with Rudding Lane from 06:30 on show days, organisers said.

The A658 from Thistle Hill junction to the Kestrel roundabout will also be one-way, but only in the mornings.

In the afternoons until 21:00, the direction will be reversed between Sainsbury's and the Kestrel Roundabout to accommodate traffic leaving Harrogate.

The council said there would also be temporary traffic lights on the A59 Kex Gill which would be closely monitored through the week.

"Please be patient when travelling," Mason added.

"As ever, please check traffic and travel information before setting off and consider alternative routes if necessary."

Paul Hudson, climate correspondent for BBC Yorkshire, said the forecast would see a "continuation of the recent fine and settled weather, with plenty of sunshine".

He said: "Although not quite as hot as last week, temperatures are still expected to reach 25C (77F) on most days, with high levels of pollen and strong July sunshine."

It looked predominantly dry, but with a "small risk of a thunderstorm later in the week", he added.

The show operates a strict no dogs policy for visitors, excluding assistance dogs or those competing.

Organisers say the crowded nature of the event and presence of livestock and horses make it unsuitable for them.

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