Three and a half thousand animals, showjumping and motocross stunts in the main ring, a funfair, food halls and hundreds of stalls across a huge showground. Balmoral is Northern Ireland's biggest day out on the land — four days every May.
What's on — prize cattle, sheep and horses judged to champions; the Bolddog freestyle motocross team flying up to 35ft over the main arena twice a day; showjumping; sheep-shearing; a funfair; the NI food halls; a Kidz Farm; and hundreds of trade stands. There's a section of it for everyone.
When — Wednesday 19 to Saturday 22 May 2027, the 158th Balmoral Show. Gates open 9:30am, closing 7pm Wednesday to Friday and 6pm on Saturday.
Book online before you go. Tickets are online only — there are no sales at the gate, and each ticket is for one named day. (2027 prices are released around March 2027; in 2026 it was £27 adult, £3 for children 5–11, and under-5s free.)
No dogs. Only assistance dogs are allowed, and dogs can't be left in cars — leave the family pet at home for this one.
Getting there — off the M1 at Sprucefield (Junction 7), with £10-a-car parking, or take the train to Lisburn and hop the free shuttle bus to the gate.
Come ready for weather — it's a big open showground and mid-May can hand you sunshine and a downpour in the same day, so waterproofs and sturdy footwear earn their place.
What's on
A whole day's worth of different worlds
The joy of Balmoral is the range — you could spend the whole day in any one corner of it. Here's the spread of what's waiting across the showground.
🐄The livestockMore than 3,500 animals — beef and dairy cattle, twenty-odd sheep breeds, pigs and goats — washed, brushed and led into the ring to be judged to breed champions. The heart of the show.
🏍️The main arenaThe headline act is the Bolddog freestyle motocross team, launching their bikes up to 35 feet into the air twice a day, alongside the international showjumping over big coloured fences.
🎡The funfairA full funfair with rides for all ages, plus a climbing wall and bungee trampolines — and quieter sensory sessions so younger or noise-shy children can enjoy it too.
🧀The food hallsThe NI Food & Drink Pavilion gathers scores of local producers to taste and buy, with cookery theatres running demos through the day — and kids' cooking sessions of their own.
🐑Sheep-shearingA four-day shearing competition that builds to the open final on Saturday — fast, skilful and strangely gripping to watch up close.
🐛Kidz Farm & family zoneCreepy-crawlies and reptiles to meet, animals to pet, mini Land Rovers to drive, Pony Club games and a sensory area — the children's heart of the show.
🛍️Hundreds of trade standsEverything from farm machinery to crafts, clothing, homeware and countryside gear — an afternoon's browsing in itself.
🌱Horticulture & heritage craftsA horticulture hub with growing demos and a sensory trail, plus heritage crafts like saddlery and basket-weaving, and live music on the show stage.
Plan your visit
Tickets, parking and getting in
Buy your tickets online in advance — there are no sales at the gate, and each ticket is for one named day, so pick your day before you book. Under-5s go free. Getting there is easiest off the M1 at Sprucefield (Junction 7), a couple of miles from the showground; parking is £10 a car, paid on the day. If you'd rather skip the traffic, take the train to Lisburn and use the free shuttle bus that runs to the gate through the day. It's a big outdoor site, so wear something for the weather and comfortable shoes for a lot of walking.
2027 tickets and prices come out around March 2027.
The 2027 ticket prices weren't published yet at the time of writing. As a guide, 2026 was £27 adult, £20 for young people (12–16), £3 for children (5–11), £22 for over-65s, and under-5s free — with no family ticket. Check the current prices and buy on the official website before you travel, as it sells day by day.
Before you set off
What to wear and bring
🥾Sturdy, waterproof footwearYou'll be on grass and gravel all day, and it can turn to mud after rain — good shoes or wellies beat sandals here.
🧥Layers and a waterproofMid-May in NI does everything in one day. A coat you can stuff in the bag when the sun comes out is the sweet spot.
🎟️Your pre-booked ticketHave it on your phone ready to scan — there are no gate sales, so this is the one thing not to forget.
💧Water and snacksThere's food everywhere, but a bottle of water and a snack keep small people going between the animals and the funfair.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Dates & hours
Wednesday 19 to Saturday 22 May 2027 — the 158th show. Open 9:30am–7:00pm Wednesday to Friday, and 9:30am–6:00pm on Saturday. It runs in the same mid-May window every year.
Tickets
Online only, in advance — no sales at the gate, and each ticket is for one named day. Under-5s free. 2027 prices release around March 2027; as a guide, 2026 was £27 adult, £20 young person (12–16), £3 child (5–11), £22 over-65. Confirm on the official site.
Where
Balmoral Park (Eikon Exhibition Centre), Halftown Road, Lisburn, BT27 5RD (Sat Nav BT27 5RL). A large outdoor showground on the edge of Lisburn.
Getting there
Off the M1 at Junction 7 (Sprucefield), about two miles away. Or take the train to Lisburn (around four miles) and use the free shuttle bus to the showground, running roughly every 15 minutes from about 9am.
Parking
On-site parking is £10 per car per day, paid on the day. Blue-badge parking is available on a first-come basis.
Family
A dedicated Family Fun programme, a Kidz Farm and children's areas, quieter sensory funfair sessions, and baby feeding and changing facilities around the site.
Accessibility
Blue-badge parking, a wheelchair-accessible viewing platform, accessible toilets, mobility scooter and wheelchair hire (book ahead), a free carer's pass and sensory support zones. Check the official accessibility page for the current year.
Dogs
No dogs except registered assistance dogs and animals taking part in official displays. Dogs must not be left in cars.
Food
Plenty on site — food stalls, artisan producers, coffee and indoor cafés, plus everything to taste in the NI Food & Drink Pavilion.
Weather
It's an outdoor spring show, so come ready for anything — recent years have had bright sun and heavy rain across the four days. Waterproofs and good footwear make the day.
Questions
Balmoral Show, answered
When is the Balmoral Show 2027?
Wednesday 19 to Saturday 22 May 2027 — four days, the 158th show. Gates open at 9:30am, closing at 7pm Wednesday to Friday and 6pm on Saturday.
Can I buy tickets at the gate?
No — tickets are online only, sold in advance, and each ticket is for one named day. Buy on the official website before you travel. Under-5s go free. 2027 prices are released around March 2027.
How much is parking, and how do I get there?
Parking is £10 per car per day, paid on the day. It's off the M1 at Junction 7 (Sprucefield), about two miles from the showground. You can also take the train to Lisburn and use the free shuttle bus to the gate.
Is it good for young children?
Very — there's a Kidz Farm and children's area, animals to meet, mini Land Rovers, a funfair with quieter sensory sessions, and baby-changing facilities. It's a full family day out.
Can I bring my dog?
No, apart from registered assistance dogs and animals in the official displays. Dogs can't be left in cars either, so it's best to leave pets at home.
What's actually on to see?
Prize cattle, sheep, pigs and horses being judged; showjumping and the Bolddog motocross stunt team in the main arena; sheep-shearing; a funfair; the NI food halls; a Kidz Farm; horticulture and heritage crafts; live music; and hundreds of trade stands. Easily a full day.
Getting there
Balmoral Park, Halftown Road, Lisburn, BT27 5RD (Sat Nav BT27 5RL) — off the M1 at Junction 7 (Sprucefield). Park on site for £10, or take the train to Lisburn and use the free shuttle bus to the gate.
A century and a half of Ulster's farming shop window
The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society was formed in 1854, and held its first show the following year. By 1896 it had a permanent home on the Lisburn Road in Belfast and a new name — the Balmoral Show — and in 1934 the great King's Hall rose alongside it, drawing crowds of 75,000 and more. For generations it was the place where Ulster's farming came to town.
In 2013 the whole show moved out to a purpose-built showground at Balmoral Park in Lisburn, on the site of the old Maze, giving it room to grow. Today it's Northern Ireland's largest agri-food event — a four-day celebration of everything from a prize bull to a home-baked scone, the countryside laid out for the whole family to wander. Book your day, bring your boots, and go and enjoy it.