At a glance
- When
- Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November 2026, 9am to 5pm both days (Melbourne time, daylight saving)
- Where
- Whittlesea Showgrounds, Whittlesea-Yea Road, about 1km from the centre of Whittlesea town; administration office at Gate 1, McPhees Road
- Tickets
- Adult $25 online or $28 at the gate; child 5 to 14 years $5 online or $8 at the gate; children 4 and under free
- Parking
- The show’s rules list cars in public parks as “free / gold coin”; the show says to follow the traffic management signs and allow extra time
- Public transport
- The show says buses and trains from Mernda Station; it does not name a bus route
- Big moment
- Grand Parade on the Main Arena at 2pm on Sunday 8 November
- Who it’s for
- Families and anyone planning a day at the Whittlesea Agricultural Society’s annual show
- What to do now
- Buy tickets online to save $3 per adult, then plan your trip on the Public Transport Victoria journey planner
- Last checked
- Monday 26 October 2026, against the Whittlesea Show website and the 2026 show schedule
- Not yet confirmed
- Which bus route to take, what the changed parking and traffic movements are, and the wet-weather plan
The Whittlesea Show runs on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November 2026 from 9am to 5pm each day, and an adult ticket is $25 if you buy online or $28 at the gate. This guide covers what the Whittlesea Agricultural Society has published as of 26 October 2026: ticket prices, who pays what, how to get to the showgrounds by car or public transport, and which free shows and competitions are on the program.
How much are Whittlesea Show tickets?
The society’s admission page says 2026 online ticket sales are open. The price list is a graphic on that page; the same prices are in the printed 2026 show schedule and in the society’s general regulations.
| Ticket | Online | At the gate |
|---|---|---|
| Children 4 years and under | Free | Free |
| Children 5 to 14 years | $5.00 | $8.00 |
| Secondary school students (photo ID) | $15.00 | $18.00 |
| Adults | $25.00 | $28.00 |
| Adult concession (proof required) | $18.00 | $20.00 |
| Family (2 adults and 3 children) | $65.00 | $70.00 |
A family ticket bought online ($65) costs $5 less than the same family at the gate ($70). For one adult and one child aged 5 to 14, buying online means $25 and $5 instead of $28 and $8 at the gate.
Concession tickets are checked at the entry. The society lists these cards as valid: the DVA Health Care Card (Gold Card), Services Australia Pensioner Concession Card, DVA Pensioner Concession Card, Services Australia Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and DVA Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. The show is also part of the Companion Card program, so a companion of a Companion Card holder gets in free while the card holder pays the normal adult or concession price. Victorian Carer Card holders can buy the concession-priced ticket, one per Carer Card.
Eftpos is available at the main gates for admission tickets only, according to the schedule. The schedule lists ATMs near the Administration Building on the north hill and near the Chandler Pavilion.
Can I get a membership instead?
A $70 Society Membership includes a membership ticket, a guest ticket and a Member’s Car Pass for both days. The schedule says it had to be bought through the society’s office before 19 October 2026 or through the membership page on the website, so check that page if you are deciding now. The general regulations say the membership admits the member, a guest and up to four children aged 14 and under on both days.
Where do I park at the Whittlesea Show?
The society’s Getting to the Show page describes parking at the showgrounds as ample and says: “There will be some changes to Parking and Traffic movement at the Whittlesea Show. Please adhere to All Traffic Management signs.” It adds that you should allow extra time because traffic may be heavy. The society has not published what the changes are.
On cost, the society’s general regulations say only “Cars in public parks, free / gold coin.” The line does not say which areas are free and which ask for a gold coin, so carry a coin in case you are asked for one.
Members use a separate Member’s Car Park. The schedule names different gates for it, but both mentions are exhibitor notes: the poultry section says Gate 2, while the homecrafts pick-up notes say Gate 1 on McPhees Road. Follow the signs on the day rather than relying on a gate number.
What is the way in by car?
The society gives two routes. From the Melbourne suburbs, travel north along Plenty Road to the township of Whittlesea and follow the signs. Or travel north along High Street, Epping to Donnybrook Road, Grants Road or Janna Road. The showgrounds are on the left, about 1km from the centre of town, on Whittlesea-Yea Road (the schedule calls it Yea Road). The administration building is at Gate 1, McPhees Road, Whittlesea 3757.
Can I get to the show by public transport?
The society says the show is accessible by bus and by train, with buses and trains from Mernda Station. It does not name a bus route, give times, or say whether extra services run on show days. To plan the trip, use the Public Transport Victoria website or app. The society’s website gives 1800 800 007 for PTV customer service, and the printed schedule gives 131 638 for a bus timetable.
| Question | What the society has published |
|---|---|
| Which station? | Mernda Station |
| Which bus route? | Not named; use the PTV journey planner |
| Extra show-day services? | Not stated |
| Phone | PTV customer service 1800 800 007 (show website) or 131 638 (schedule, for a bus timetable) |
What is on, and what is free?
The society says many activities are free for the whole family and thanks sponsors including the City of Whittlesea, Costa Mushrooms and Bilby Boots. The attractions page lists these for 2026:
- Eroni’s Circus, which the schedule calls a free circus for the whole show weekend
- Elijay’s Freestyle Show
- Beloka Kelpies, a working dog display
- Fizzics Education science shows
- Helicopter rides
- The Stilt Divas and other roving performers
- Boot throw, fun dogs and other fun and games competitions
- Show jumping and mounted games
- Oak Stage and Village Green Stage performances
- Black Snake Production, reptile education
- Royal Flying Doctors, plus SES and CFA displays and demonstrations
- Incredibooth
The attractions page does not give prices or session times for these, except for the items covered below. The schedule’s list of show features also names carnival rides, showbags, stage coach rides, motorcycles, vintage engines and farm equipment, and trade exhibits.
When is the Grand Parade?
The society’s attractions page and the 2026 schedule both put the Grand Parade on the Main Arena on Sunday 8 November at about 2pm. The parade shows prize-winning livestock, tractors, horse and buggies, exhibitors and event winners. One older line in the general regulations still says prize winners in the horse and stud cattle sections must be in the parade at 3pm. The society’s current pages say 2pm, so plan for 2pm and check the program board at the show.
What free competitions can I join on the day?
| What | When and where | Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Boot throw | 12:30pm Saturday and Sunday, Main Arena | Free; boys 4 to 7 and 8 to 12 years, girls 4 to 7 and 8 to 12 years, men’s open and ladies’ open |
| Fun and games (egg throw, bread waiters race, egg and spoon, sack race) | From 3pm Saturday, Main Arena | Free; turn up on the day |
| Fun Dog Show | 4pm Saturday, Oak Stage | Free; enter online by midnight Wednesday 28 October or on the day, arriving 10 minutes before |
The Fun Dog Show classes include the smallest dog, the biggest dog, the cutest dog, the fluffiest or scruffiest, the dog with the shortest legs, the happiest smile, the most unusual looking and the fanciest dressed. Entries go through showday.online/show/whittlesea. All dogs must be on a lead at all times, and owners must pick up after them.
Can I bring my dog to the show?
The schedule says dogs are strictly not allowed in the livestock pavilions, and it asks dogs entered in the Fun Dog Show to be on a lead. We could not find a rule in the society’s pages that covers a pet visiting for the day. If you are not entering the Fun Dog Show, ask the society on (03) 9716 2835 before you bring one.
What animals and pavilions can I visit?
| Area | What the society says |
|---|---|
| Animal Nursery | Baby farm animals to pat and feed, from miniature ponies to ferrets, piglets, lambs, goats, chickens and rabbits; open across the day |
| Hobby livestock | In the Sheep Pavilion: pygmy goats, miniature Mediterranean donkeys, Valais Blacknose sheep, miniature Highland cattle and miniature Babydoll sheep; alpacas on display on Saturday and the sheep competition on Sunday |
| Cattle | Dairy and commercial cattle judged on Saturday; beef cattle and the Hoof and Hook competition on Sunday |
| Horses | Clydesdale, junior equestrian, harness, show jumping, Galloways, Australian ponies, Standardbreds and more, with a feature breed each weekend |
| Woodchop | Axemen’s events across the weekend, including standing block and underhand chops |
| Heritage Pavilion | Historical machinery, a working blacksmith area, hay baling and sheep shearing demonstrations |
| Food Expo | On the north hill near the Administration Building, under the oak tree, open all day both days; vendors let you try before you buy |
Art is shown inside the Football Club building. Homecrafts, photography, education, farm and garden and poultry have their own pavilions. The general regulations say most pavilions close at 5pm on both days, so go to the pavilions before the end of the day rather than after the parade.
What is still unconfirmed?
The society has not published which bus route to take or whether extra services run, what the parking and traffic changes are, how much the helicopter rides cost, or what happens in wet weather. Its pages are dated between June and October 2026, and the schedule was uploaded in October. We will update this guide if the society adds detail. For questions, the society’s office is on (03) 9716 2835 or info@whittleseashow.org.au.
Sources
- Whittlesea Agricultural Society — Whittlesea Show (dates, hours; checked 26 October 2026)
- Whittlesea Show — Getting to the Show (driving directions, parking, public transport)
- Whittlesea Show — Admission and membership prices (ticket graphic, concession and carer cards)
- Whittlesea Agricultural Society — General regulations (public parking line, membership, pavilion closing)
- Whittlesea Show — Attractions (2026 activities, Grand Parade)
- Whittlesea Show — 2026 show schedule (prices, features, Fun and Games, Fun Dog Show, ATMs)
- Whittlesea Show — Pavilions (cattle days, heritage, art)
- Whittlesea Show — Hobby Farm Livestock
- Whittlesea Show — Animal Nursery
- Whittlesea Show — Food Expo
- Whittlesea Show — Woodchop
- Whittlesea Show — Contact
Featured image: a Clydesdale being led in the arena at the 2013 Royal Melbourne Show, not the Whittlesea Show (photo: Chris Phutully from Australia / CC BY 2.0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with the Whittlesea Agricultural Society, the City of Whittlesea or Public Transport Victoria. Prices, times and the program can change; check the society’s pages before you go.